Vinification Flashcards
What is vinification?
Once the grapes arrive at the winery the process of vinification begins. The process involves decisions and practices made in the winery by the winemaker that affect quality and style.
List the factors of vinification.
- Pre-Fermentation
- Fermentation
- Types of Winemaking - White, Rose, Red - Sparkling - Dessert and Fortified
- Fermentation Vessels
- Aging and Maturation
- Important Vinification Terms
- Preparation for Bottling
- Packaging
List the factors of pre-fermentation.
- Sorting (sorted to remove excess - leaves, branches, damaged fruit, random unwanted items)
- De-stemming (obvious. Can elect against this.)
- Crushing (crushing to release juice. Be gentle or unwanted bitterness and tannins!)
- Fermentation (sugar + yeast = alcohol + CO2). This also creates flavors, aromas, and heat.
What are the winemaking steps for white & rosé wine?
- Harvest (red or white grapes)
- De-stem or Whole Bunch
- Crush
- Press juice from skins (must) allowing skin contact (limited for rosé)
- Fermentation
- Aging
- Fine and/or Filter
- Bottle
What are the winemaking steps for red wine?
- Harvest (red or white grapes)
- Crush
- De-stem or Whole Bunch
- Skins and seeds macerated with juice (must)
- Fermentation
- Press juice from skins
- Aging
- Fine and/or Filter
- Bottle
List the primary factors of a fermentation vessel.
- Size
- Shape
- Material
Name three sizes/shapes of vessels?
- Foudre: 1000+ liter (large)
- Barrique: 224 liter (small)
- Egg-shaped
Name three vessel materials?
- Wood
- Stainless Steel
- Concrete
What does barrel aging do?
- Evaporation of excess water.
- Oxidation: Causes color change in wine (white = darken pale yellow to gold. red = lighten).
- Textural: Aging in oak softens wine.
- Flavor Changes: Vanilla, Oak, Toast, Spice (Cinnamon, Clove, Allspice), Coconut
What are the primary barrel considerations?
- How old is the barrel.
- Type of wood.
- Financial Considerations (Oak chips are cheaper).
- Size of Barrel.
What is another name for a new oak barrel and how does it impact a wine?
- “First use” - Will impart the most flavor and aroma
What is another name for an older oak barrel and how does it impact a wine?
- “Used” - Imparts little to no flavor or aroma after 4-6 years of use. - STILL impacts oxidative flavors and textural effects
When is a barrel rendered neutral?
After its fourth to sixth use.
How do neutral barrels impact a wine?
- No longer impart flavors or aromas from the barrel.
- Do impart oxidative flavors.
- Do impart textural effects
How does barrel aging affect the color of a wine?
Red wines grow lighter in color. White wines grow darker in color, from pale yellow to gold.