Winemaking Flashcards
What do vineyard owners have to consider before planting their grapes?
The climate of both their vineyard and the surrounding region
Macro climate?
The larger climate around the region in which the vineyard is located
Micro climate?
The climate of their vineyard area
What must be considered whilst looking at the macro climate?
Temperature trends, elevation
Cold weather can cause grapevines to…
Freeze, make the production difficult and makes the harvest season short
Humid air can increase…
Vine disease and destroy crops
Optical grape growing conditions are…
Warm, dry summers
Low humidity
Moderate/tame, wet winters
Best grown on hills due to the way the sun hits them
Changes in weather conditions and land conditions can effect…
Colour, body, aroma and flavour of wine
Degrees brix?
The sugar content of a grape
Titratable acidity?
The amount of tartaric acid in the grape
pH level?
This is the amount of acids that are in the grape; level too low means there’s too much acid, level too high means there’s not enough acid. Needs to be balenced
How is ripeness of the grape determined?
Degrees brix, titratable acidity and pH levels
The grapes ripeness can effect…
The taste, aroma, body and colour of the wine
What ways can grapes be picked?
Mechanical picking
Manual picking
Mechanical picking
Larges tractors that are driven over the vines, using rods to shake the grapes loose
Pros; good for large properties, very little manpower, isn’t very expensive
Cons; picks all grapes rather than the ripe ones
Manual picking
Picking the grapes by hand, gathered in bins ready to be transported
Pros; more accurate, grapes aren’t wasted
Cons; lots of manpower needed
Destemming
This is where the stems are removed from the grapes. This can be done before and after crushing
Destemming cuts down on…
The amount of tannin in the wine
What ways can grapes be crushed?
Barefoot trampling Wooden fruit crusher Stainless steel fruit crusher Manual crusher Industrial mechanical crusher
Barefoot trampling (pageage)
A traditional and non expensive way to crush grapes. Done in late basins or barrels.
Pros; destems the grapes (if not already done), inexpensive
Cons; only really suitable for smaller vineyards, doesn’t produce much wine
Wooden fruit crusher
Small wooden machine to help crush grapes by hand. Grapes are put in a basin at the top of the machine and the crushed by then crank on the side of the machine
Stainless steel fruit crusher
Same as wooden, but made of steel. Easier to crush and clean afterwards
Manual crusher
Requires winemaker to crank the machine, more powerful as there’s rollers to move the grapes along. Also destems the grapes
Industrial mechanical crusher
Best crushing option for larger vineyards, destems grapes also. Machines are efficient, needs little manpower and are accurate.