Winemaking

Question 1

What is crushing when it comes to winemaking?

Answer 1

Splitting the grape skins so they release their juice.

Question 2

What is pressing when it comes to winemaking?

Answer 2

When crushed grapes are pressed to extract as much liquid as possible.

Question 3

What winemaking process is common to all wines?

Answer 3

Alcoholic fermentation

Question 4

What do yeasts eat during alcoholic fermentation?

Answer 4

Sugars

Question 5

What are the byproducts of alcoholic fermentation?

Answer 5

Alcohol
Carbon dioxide gas (CO2)
Heat

Question 6

When does alcoholic fermentation stop?

Answer 6

When yeasts have eaten all the sugar.

The result is a dry wine (meaning, no residual sugar remaining).

Question 7

What is the typical range of alcohol in a dry wine?

Answer 7

11.5% - 16% abv

Question 8

What is the difference between storage and maturation?

Answer 8

Maturation commonly refers to an extended period of storage.

Question 9

What color grapes can be used to make white wine?

Answer 9

White grapes are predominantly used to make white wine.

There are some white wines made from black grapes, if they are pressed very gently.

Question 10

List the order of processes when making white wine.

Answer 10

1. Crushing
2. Pressing
3. Alcoholic fermentation
4. Storage or maturing
5. Packaging

Question 11

When are grapes for white wines crushed and pressed?

Answer 11

Before fermentation

Question 12

Name two techniques for adjusting grape juice must commonly practiced in wineries.

Answer 12

1. Adding sugar to increase alcohol
2. Adding acid (acidification)

Question 13

What is the most common must adjustment made to white grapes from warm/hot climates, and why?

Answer 13

Acidification

Warm climate grapes can have lower levels of natural acidity.

Question 14

What effect does a lower fermentation temperature have on a white wine?

Answer 14

Lower fermentation temperatures bring about fruitier aromas.

Question 15

Name four main techniques used to make sweet wines?

Answer 15

1. Concentrated grape sugars
2. Removing the yeast
3. Killing the yeast
4. Adding sweetness

Question 16

What’s an example of a historic sweet wine made by killing the yeast?

Answer 16

Port from Portugal

Question 17

What is the term to denote relatively neutral winery vessels that do not add any flavour to the wine?

Answer 17

Inert vessels

Question 18

Name two examples of inert vessels

Answer 18

1. Stainless steel vessels
2. Concrete vessels

Question 19

What does the level of toasting in oak barrels refer to?

Answer 19

The length of time and the level of heat applied to influence the flavours.

Question 20

What less-costly methods may be substituted for oak barrels but still add desirable oak flavors to value-priced white wines?

Answer 20

The use of oak staves or oak chips.