Vinification Flashcards
Explain alcoholic fermentation
The metabolism of yeast cells
converts sugar in grape must
into ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
What the the bi product of alcoholic fermentation?
Ethyl alcohol
carbon dioxide
sulfur dioxide
Explain why vessel choice for fermentation is important
The amount of heat generated by fermentation increases with the size of the must—without accounting for any temperature control, small vessels provoke slow, cool fermentations and large vessels lead to short, hot fermentations
a) At what temperature is yeast dormant?
b) At what temperature will yeast die?
a) below 10 Celcius
b) above 45 Celcius
What is the benefit of hot fermentations for red wines
increased extraction of color, tannin and flavor compounds.
Pros and cons of Barrel fermentation?
Barrel fermentation, on the other hand, lacks temperature control but the relatively small size of the vessel prevents temperatures from rising too high
Barrel fermented wines are generally subject to the processes of lees contact and bâtonnage, or lees stirring, which add further complexity and richness
Chapitalization is what?
the addition of sugar to the must to increase the final alcohol and glycerin content of the wine
What is reverse osmosis?
Alcohol adjustment
Separating the wine into two constituent parts,
Permeate and Retentate
The permeate, which contains water and ethanol, is then distilled to a proper level before being recombined with the retentate—the wine’s aromatic compounds—at a lower percentage of alcohol.
Acidification is what?
the addition of acid to must or to a finished wine. Tartaric acid and malic acid, the two principle acids in grape juice, may be used for acidification; tartaric acid, added prior to fermentation, is preferred.
Explain Malolactic fermentation
lactic acid bacteria convert harsh malic acids into softer lactic acids and carbon dioxide. It rounds out a wine’s texture.
Cold stabilisation happens at around what temperature
-3.8 Celcius
What trees are used for French oak?
Quercus robur
Quercus petraea trees
Slow growing tighter grain
French oak is split
What trees are used for American oak
Quercus alba,
a faster growing , wider grain
American oak is sawn and releases more vanilla and lactones
What are the three stages on making a barrel
Three stages: warming (chauffage), shaping (cintrage), and toasting (bousinage)
Polyphenols in red wine protect against oxidation
oxidation is more like to occur in white wine for this reason