Red & Rose Winemaking Flashcards
What is the key to red wine making
extraction of color and tannin from skins of black grapes
When does pressing of grapes occur in red wine making
After fermentation
with respect to MLF how does red winemaking differ from white
In red it is the rule rather than a stylistic choice
What is the process of leaving the crushed grapes to lie in contact with the skins whilst fermentation is prevented by cold temps. What is it’s purpose
Cold maceration, cold soaking or prefermentation extraction. Purpose is to extract color and flavor ( not tannin at this stage )
What is the fermentation temp range for reds
20 - 32 C
Why is the fermentation temp for reds higher than whites
To aid in the extraction of colour and tannin from the grape skins
At what temp might the yeast die in fermentation
35 C
How can the winemaker influence the amount of color, flavor and tannin extracted
By lowering the fermentation temp towards the end of fermentation
Are tannins more or less soluble in higher alcohol
More
Why is cap management important in red wine production
If the cap is left to float the amount of extraction from the skins will be limited
What are the risks of mechanically punching down
Doing this too often towards the end of fermentation can result in an overly tannic and bitter wine
Apart from aiding extraction what are the benefits of pumping over
Heat dissipation and oxygenation
Apart from punching down and pumping over what are 2 other methods of cap management
Rack and return / rotary fermenter
Why is fermentation in oak impractical for red wines
It would be impossible to maintain enough contact between the juice and the skins
What is post fermentation maceration and why might a wine maker do it
Leaving the fermented juice in contact with the skins to increase extraction. It is also believed to yield a softer tannin structure
What are press wine fractions
Fermented juice from different stages of the pressing which contain increasing levels of tannin and colour
If using whole bunches of grapes in the fermentation what must the winemaker ensure
That the stems are ripe or the wine will be bitter
what is the purpose of whole bunch fermentation
to create an oxygen free atmosphere for the uncrushed fruit resulting in fermentation within the grapes in the absence of yeast.
what is the name for production of alcohol within whole grapes in the absence of yeast
Intracellular fermentation
what are the 3 kinds of whole bunch fermentation
Carbonic maceration, semi carbonic maceration, whole bunches with crushed fruit
Describe carbonic maceration and the characteristics of the wines it produces
Whole bunches only, tank purged with CO2. Once intracellular frementation reaches 2% skins split and release juice. Grapes are pressed and fermentation completed off the skins. Resulting wines are soft with low tannin ans fresh fruit flavors
How is semi carbonic maceration different from carbonic
tank is not purged with CO2. Bunches at the bottom of the tank get crushed and undergo fermentation with ambient yeast. This produces CO2 which fills the tank and the rest of the grapes undergo carbonic maceration. When these split and release juice the grapes are pressed etc. Results in a wine with a fresher fruit character
Describe whole bunches with crushed fruit
Whole bunches are submerged in crushed fruit and starved of O2 resulting in intracellular fermentation. Cap is regularly punched down. thought to give a silkier texture and more of a fresh fruit character
Why are winemakers trending away from maturation in 100% small new oak. What are they doing instead
They are seeking more subtlety and integration. They are using a variety of sizes and ages of oak vessel
Why are premium reds still matured in more new oak than bulk wines
The higher quality fruit can withstand the new oak flavors
why is red wine blended
to balance out aspects such as color, acidity, tannin or flavor
How are the different press fractions used in blending
May be blended with the free run juice to enhance color, tannin, flavor
what varietals are typically used in bulk red wine production and why
Bulk production typically in warm dry countries where cabernet, syrah, grenache and merlot thrive. They can produce fruity wines with good color even at yields
how do bulk reds differ from premium reds
Less color, less tannin, less complexity and concentration, less typicity
why is Pinot Noir ill suited to bulk wine production
thin skinned, cool climate temperamental grape and cannot be grown with a high enough yield
bulk red wines are typically produced in what style
fruity low tannin
what often needs to be added to bulk red wine during production to counteract the warm climate the grapes are grown in
Tartaric Acid
why is pre-fermentation not typically carried out on bulk reds
ties up tank space in a high volume winery
at what temp is bulk red wine normally fermented and why
22 - 25 C to maximise fresh fruit flavors
is the cap typically worked heavily in production of bulk reds. Why ?
No - the wines are a low tannin style
Is post fermentation masceration common in bulk reds
No - the wines are made in an easy drinking low tannin style
If oak maturation is used for bulk red wines how long does it normally last. How old are the barrels typically
Only a few months usually in second or third fill barrels
What 2 red wines commonly undergo carbonic or semi carbonic masceration
Inexpensive wines made from Grenache and basic Beaujolais