What is Wine & How is it Made?

Question 1

Fermentation

Answer 1

The process when sugar consumes yeast and converts it into alcohol and carbon dioxide

Question 2

Stages of Grape Growing

Answer 2

Flowering: cluster of grapevine flowers made up of many individual flowers
Flowers become Grapes: Each flower becomes a small grape. Hard and green at this stage.
Ripening: Grapes swell with water, Sugar levels rise, Acid levels fall, Flavors become riper, White grapes turn golden, Black grapes turn purple

Question 3

What do grape vines need to grow quality fruit?

Answer 3

Sunlight, heat, water

Question 4

Generally speaking, colder climates result in _____ acid and ____ sweetness, and warmer climates result in ____ acid and ____ sweetness

Answer 4

Colder climates: higher acid, lower sweetness

Warmer climates: lower acid, higher sweetness

Question 5

Optimal latitudes for growing quality grapes

Answer 5

30-50

Question 6

Process for making White Wine

Answer 6

1. Crushing - releases some grape juice
2. Pressing - pressed to release remaining juice
3. Fermenting - yeasts added to grape juice (no skins). Stainless steel tanks or oak barrels
4. Maturing - can be store in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels
5. Bottling

Question 7

Process for making Red Wine

Answer 7

1. Crushing
2. Fermenting - yeasts added to grape juice + skins. Color & tannin extracted from the skins
3. Draining & Pressing - drained off skins & pressed to release any remaining juices
4. Maturation - can be stored in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels
5. Bottling

Question 8

Process for making Rose Wine

Answer 8

1. Crushing (black grapes)
2. Fermenting - yeasts added to grape juice + skins
3. Draining/Final Fermentation - juice is drained from skins after a few hours. Finishes fermentation in tank w/o skins
4. Maturation - rarely stored in oak, but some may go through short maturation in stainless steel
5. Bottling