Sweet Wine

Question 1

What are the methods for making sweet wine?

Answer 1

1. Interrupt fermentation
2. Add a sweet component
3. Concentrate the sugars naturally

Question 2

What are methods for stopping fermentation?

Answer 2

1. Lower the fermentation temperature to slow/stop activity of the yeasts.
2. Add sulfites to neutralize yeasts.
3. Add alcohol (fortify) to kill yeasts

Question 3

What are the methods for concentrating the sugars of the grapes?

Answer 3

1. Drying the grapes (ex. Passito, Vin Santo)
2. Freeze the grapes (ex. Ice Wine, Eiswein)
3. Botrytis Cinerea/Noble Rot (ex. Sauternes, Tokaji, Beerenauslese, Trokenbeerenauslese)

Question 4

What are the results of drying the grapes?

Answer 4

• sugar concentration (elimination of water, grapes lose 30-35%)
• concentration of other substances (elimination of water)
• increased aromatics, coloring and phenolic substances in the must
• transformation of aromatic substances from simple to complex
• increase of smooth/rounded tannins

Question 5

What are the results of grapes infected with botrytis cinerea?

Answer 5

• creation of glycerol
• concentration of malic and tartaric acid
• degradation of varietal aromas

Question 6

What is botrytis cinerea?

Answer 6

A fungus that occurs in special weather conditions when humidity is high, days are warm, and nights are cold.

Question 7

What varietal is used make Moscato d’Asti?

Answer 7

100% Moscato Bianco

Question 8

What process is used to make Moscato d’Asti?

Answer 8

Charmat method; low pressure (resulting in lower alcohol)

Question 9

What process is used to make Spumante?

Answer 9

Charmat method; High pressure with higher alcohol