The Common Elements In Winemaking And Maturation Flashcards
Why is contact with Oxygen in wine a good thing?
Can help develop depth and complexity in aromas, making it earthy and savoury.
What can be used to minimise oxygen contact with grapes?
Sulphur Dioxide
Why is it good to pick grapes at night in regards to oxygen contact?
Chemical reactions are slower at lower temperatures
What does Anaerobic mean?
Able to operate without oxygen
What two vessels can be used when using oxygen in maturation?
Oak vessel
Inert vessel
What are advantages of an oak vessel?
It can add tannin and flavour and control oxygen interaction
What species of oak are there?
European and American
What can also add oak flavours to a wine if not ageing in a barrel?
Oak chips
Oak staves
What are the advantages of an Inert vessel and what are they?
Adds no flavour and keeps oxygen away from the wine.
Inert vessels can either be stainless steel or concrete
What is a Barrique?
A small wine barrel, made of new oak
What characteristics can European and American Oak give to a wine?
European gives toast and vanilla flavours and fine grained tannins
American is more aromatic and gives sweet vanilla and coconut flavours
What effect can heavily charred barrels have on a wine?
A certain level of toasting and how much flavour is in the wine
What are the advantages of using Stainless Steel vessels?
- widely used for fermentation
- widely used for storing wine until bottling time
- good for adding internal temp control
- can add oak products inside
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Concrete vessels?
Advantages -
Do not add any flavour to the wine if this is the aim
Concrete shell helps the regulate temperature
Disadvantages -
Less easy to access and clean
Why is Oxygen in wine a bad thing?
If exposed to too much oxygen wines can lose their
Fruit flavour
Smell stale
Whites become darker
Reds develop brown tinge
