The Entire Process of Making Wine

Summary

This video script delves into the rich history and intricate process of winemaking, from its ancient Egyptian origins to modern techniques. It explains the selection of grapes and their transformation into wine, including the use of foot stomping for gentle juice extraction and the critical role of fermentation. The script also covers the importance of aging, the impact of vintage on wine quality, and the final steps of bottling, offering a comprehensive journey from vine to bottle.

Takeaways

• 🍇 Wine making has ancient origins, dating back to 5,000 BC in Egypt, with evidence found in cave wall paintings.
• 👣 Traditional foot stomping was used to extract grape juice gently, avoiding the release of bitter compounds and excessive heat.
• 🌍 The selection of grape variety and factors like climate and soil composition are crucial for determining the wine's characteristics.
• 📏 A refractometer is used to check the sugar content in grapes, ensuring optimal ripeness for harvest.
• 🚜 Modern wine harvesting often employs mechanical harvesters or robots, reducing the need for handpicking.
• 🍷 The process of crushing grapes is essential and can be done traditionally by stomping or mechanically with a crusher stemmer machine.
• 🔴 For red wines, the skins are left in contact with the juice during fermentation to extract color and tannins.
• 🔬 Fermentation involves the conversion of sugar into alcohol by yeast, with some winemakers experimenting with different yeast types.
• 🧪 Chaptalization, the addition of sugar to increase alcohol content, may be done if grapes lack sufficient sun exposure.
• 🛠 Aging can take place in various containers like stainless steel tanks, oak barrels, or concrete vats, affecting the wine's flavor profile.
• 🍾 After aging, the wine is clarified and filtered to remove sediment before bottling, with some wines benefiting from further bottle aging.
• 🏷 The vintage year on a wine label indicates the year of grape harvest, which can affect the wine's quality due to varying weather conditions.

Q & A

What is the historical origin of wine making?

Wine making can be traced back to Egypt as far as 5,000 BC, with archaeologists discovering cave wall paintings showing the use of wine and wine jars.

Why was foot stomping used in the past to extract juice from grapes?

Foot stomping was used because it applied relatively gentle pressure, avoiding the release of bitter tannins or astringent compounds, and the low temperature of the human body did not release excessive heat, which was beneficial for maintaining fermentation conditions.

What factors influence the selection of grapes for wine making?

Factors such as the type of wine desired, climate, soil composition, and vineyard location play crucial roles in grape selection, as different grapes contribute unique flavors, aromas, and characteristics.

How is the optimal ripeness of grapes determined for harvesting?

Vineyardists inspect samples of clusters of wine grapes with a refractometer, a handheld device that allows them to accurately check the amount of sugar in the grapes, to determine if they are ready to be picked.

What is the purpose of mechanical harvesters in modern vineyards?

Mechanical harvesters, and in some cases robots, are used to gather grapes, significantly decreasing the time it takes to harvest and eliminating the need for handpicking, which was the norm in the past.

How does the process of crushing grapes differ between white and red wine production?

For white wine, all grape skins are separated from the must before fermentation, while for red wine, the whole crushed grape, including the skin, goes into the fermentation tank to extract color, tannins, and additional flavors during fermentation.

What role does yeast play in the wine fermentation process?

Yeast, either wild or cultured, is fed into the fermentation tank or vat to turn the sugar in the must into alcohol, which is a crucial step in transforming grapes into wine.

Why might wine makers add sugar to the wine must during production?

Sugar may be added, a process called chaptalization, to increase the alcoholic content, usually because the grapes have not received enough sun prior to harvesting.

How does the aging process influence the wine's characteristics?

Aging, which can occur in subterranean cellars, stainless steel tanks, or oak barrels, imparts additional flavors and aromas to the wine, influencing its complexity and structure.

What is the purpose of fining and filtration in wine production?

Fining agents such as Bentonite or egg whites are added to bind with undesirable particles, allowing them to settle and be easily removed. Filtration further refines the wine's clarity.

What is the significance of the vintage year on a wine label?

The vintage year indicates the year in which the grapes used to make the wine were harvested, reflecting the specific growing season and weather conditions that can significantly impact the wine's characteristics and quality.

Outlines

00:00

🍇 The Art of Winemaking: From Harvest to Fermentation

This paragraph delves into the rich history and intricate process of winemaking. It begins with the selection of grapes, emphasizing the importance of grape variety and environmental factors like climate and soil. The timing of the harvest is crucial for the wine's flavor profile, with underripe and overripe grapes affecting sugar, alcohol, and acidity levels. The use of a refractometer to gauge ripeness is highlighted. Following harvest, grapes are mechanically or traditionally crushed, with the choice between preserving the past with stomping and modern methods using machines. The paragraph also covers the fermentation process, where the must is transformed into wine through the action of yeast, and the potential addition of sugar for chaptalization. The importance of yeast selection and the measurement of sugar content are underscored, concluding with the initial stages of wine production.

05:03

🥂 Aging, Clarification, and Bottling: The Journey to the Perfect Bottle

The second paragraph continues the winemaking narrative by discussing the aging process, where wine is stored in cellars or temperature-controlled tanks, and aged in oak barrels to enhance its complexity. The duration of aging is variable, depending on style and preferences. Clarification through fining and filtration is essential to remove sediment and refine clarity. The art of blending different batches or varieties to achieve a desired flavor profile is also mentioned. Once the wine's characteristics meet the winemaker's satisfaction, the bottling process begins, which may include the addition of sulfur dioxide to prevent spoilage. The choice of closure, such as cork or screw cap, impacts aging potential and oxidation. The paragraph concludes with the application of labels that provide key information about the wine's origin, vintage, and alcohol content, highlighting the significance of vintage in reflecting the growing season's impact on wine quality.

Keywords

💡Wine

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes. It is central to the video's theme as it discusses the history, production process, and the various stages involved in making wine. The script mentions wine as the 'nectar of the Gods,' highlighting its cultural significance and the fascinating journey from grape to glass.

💡Stomping

Stomping refers to the traditional method of extracting juice from grapes by treading them with feet. It is mentioned in the script as a historical practice that had benefits such as gentle pressure and avoidance of excessive heat, which could affect the fermentation process. The script also notes that some wineries still use this method to preserve craftsmanship.

💡Fermentation

Fermentation is the process by which sugars in the grape juice are converted into alcohol by yeast. It is a key concept in the script as it explains how wine is made. The video describes the introduction of wild or cultured yeast to initiate fermentation and the importance of this step in determining the wine's final characteristics.

💡Grape Selection

Grape selection is the process of choosing the right variety of grapes for wine production based on factors like climate, soil, and desired wine type. The script emphasizes the importance of selecting grapes that have reached optimal ripeness, which influences the wine's flavor profile, and the use of a refractometer to measure sugar levels in the grapes.

💡Harvesting

Harvesting is the act of gathering ripe grapes from the vine. The timing of harvest, as mentioned in the script, is critical because it affects the wine's sugar, alcohol, and acidity levels. Modern mechanical harvesters or robots are used in medium to large vineyards for efficiency.

💡Crushing

Crushing is the process of breaking grape skins to release the juice. In the script, it is described as the first step in wine processing after harvesting. Traditionally, this was done by stomping, but modern wineries use machines to crush grapes and remove stems, producing the liquid must.

💡Must

Must is the freshly crushed juice of grapes, including the skins, seeds, and stems, before fermentation. The script explains that for white wine, the skins are separated from the must, while for red wine, the whole crushed grape is used to extract color, tannins, and flavors during fermentation.

💡Aging

Aging is the process of storing wine to allow it to mature and develop its flavors over time. The script discusses various aging methods, including storage in subterranean cellars or temperature-controlled tanks, and the use of oak barrels to impart additional flavors to the wine.

💡Vintage

Vintage refers to the year in which the grapes used to make the wine were harvested. It is an important term in the script as it indicates the specific growing season and weather conditions that can significantly impact the wine's characteristics. Vintage wines are often of interest to enthusiasts due to variations in quality across different years.

💡Bottling

Bottling is the final step in the wine production process where the wine is transferred from aging vessels to bottles. The script mentions the addition of sulfur dioxide to prevent oxidation and the use of different closures like corks or screw caps, which can affect the wine's aging potential.

💡Yeast

Yeast is a type of fungus used in fermentation to convert sugar into alcohol. The script discusses the use of both wild yeast and cultured yeast, highlighting the experimentation by winemakers with different yeast types to improve wine quality.

💡Tannins

Tannins are natural compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems that contribute to the color, flavor, and aging potential of wine. The script explains that for red wines, the contact with grape skins during fermentation extracts tannins, which add complexity to the wine.

💡Chaptalization

Chaptalization is the process of adding sugar to grape must to increase the alcohol content, usually because the grapes did not receive enough sun prior to harvesting. The script briefly mentions this practice as a way to adjust the wine's characteristics.

💡Clarification

Clarification is the process of removing sediment or particles from wine to improve its clarity and appearance. The script describes the use of fining agents like bentonite or egg whites to bind with undesirable particles, followed by filtration to refine the wine's clarity.

Highlights

Wine is often referred to as the 'nectar of the Gods', a drink that can elevate the spirit and intoxicate the senses.

The history of winemaking dates back to 5,000 BC in Egypt, with evidence found in cave wall paintings.

Foot stomping was historically used to extract juice from grapes, offering benefits such as gentle pressure and avoiding heat generation.

The selection of grape variety and factors like climate, soil, and location are crucial for determining the wine's characteristics.

Harvest timing is critical for the wine's flavor profile, balancing sugar levels, acidity, and ripeness.

Refractometers are used to check the sugar content in grapes, ensuring optimal ripeness for harvest.

Mechanical harvesters and robots have replaced handpicking in most medium to large vineyards since the late 20th century.

Crushing grapes involves breaking the skins to release juice, traditionally done by stomping but now often by machines.

For white wine, grape skins are separated from the juice before fermentation to avoid color and tannin extraction.

Red wine fermentation involves macération, where grape skins remain in contact with the juice to extract color and flavors.

Yeast selection is crucial for wine fermentation, with winemakers experimenting with different types to improve quality.

Châptalization is the process of adding sugar to increase the wine's alcoholic content, often due to insufficient sun exposure.

Wine must is fermented for 7 to 14 days, depending on the type of wine, before further processing.

Aging wine can take place in subterranean cellars or temperature-controlled tanks, with oak barrels adding flavors.

Wine clarification involves fining and filtration to remove sediment and improve clarity.

Blending wines from different batches or varieties is common to achieve a desired flavor profile.

Bottling wine involves careful transfer from aging vessels to bottles, sometimes with added sulfur dioxide to prevent spoilage.

The choice of closure, such as cork or screw cap, can impact a wine's aging potential and susceptibility to oxidation.

Vintage indicates the year of grape harvest and reflects the growing season's weather conditions, affecting wine quality.

Non-vintage blends combine wines from different years for a consistent flavor profile.

The optimal aging time for wine varies, with some wines improving with further bottle aging to develop complexity.

Careful control over the wine production process is essential for creating quality wine, with many variables impacting the final product.

Transcripts

wine is known as the nectar of the Gods

it's a fascinating drink that elevates

the spirit and intoxicates the senses

but how much of the process involves

stomping the grapes with feet and how is

wine actually made let's take a look at

that and a whole lot more in this video

wine making can be traced back to Egypt

as far as 5,000 BC archaeologists have

found cave wall paintings not only

showing the use of wine but wine jars as

well at some point in the past one

makers started employing foot trading or

stomping to extract juice from The

Grapes while this may sound unusual the

process has its benefits first the

pressure applied with feet was

relatively gentle and helped avoid the

release of bitter tannin or ar stringent

compounds secondly due to the low

temperature of the human body the

process did not release excessive heat

maintaining the desired conditions for

fermentation but we're getting ahead of

ourselves let's start at the beginning

the wine making process begins with the

careful selection of grapes the choice

of grape variety depends on the type of

wine desired as different grapes

contribute unique flavors Aromas and

characteristics factors such as climate

soil composition and Vineyard location

also play crucial roles in grape

selection once the grapes have reached

optimal ripeness they are harvested the

timing of the Harvest is critical as it

significantly influences the flavor

profile of the wine you see if the

grapes are under rpe they may have low

sugar levels low alcohol and high

acidity on the contrary if the grapes

are overripe they have the opposite

characteristics a perfect balance

therefore must be struck when harvesting

grapes to ensure that the wine is the

best possible for this purpose

vineyardist inspect sample of clusters

of wine grapes with a refractometer to

determine if the grapes are ready to be

picked the refractometer is a small

handheld device the size of a miniature

telescope that allows the the

vineyardist to accurately check the

amount of sugar in the grapes if the

grapes are ready for picking a

mechanical Harvester usually a suction

picker gathers and funnels The Grapes

into a field Hopper or mobile storage

container these mechanical Harvesters or

in some cases robots are now used in

most medium to large Vineyards thereby

eliminating the need for handpicking

which was the norm in the past first

used in California vineyards in 1968

mechanical Harvesters significantly

decreased the time it takes to gather

grapes the Harvesters have also allowed

grapes to be gathered at night when they

are cool fresh and ripe after harvesting

the grapes are transported to the winery

for processing the first step is

crushing where the grapes Skins are

broken to release the juice as mentioned

before traditionally this was done by

stomping on the grapes and some wineries

still employ this process as a way of

preserving the craftsmanship of the past

however in modern times wineries usually

employ the services of a crushed stemmer

machine some crushed stemmer machines

are hydraulic While others are driven by

air pressure the grapes are crushed and

the stems are removed leaving liquid

must that flows either into a stainless

steel fermentation tank or a wooden vat

for white wine all the grape Skins are

separated from the must or Wine Juice by

filters or centrifuges before they

undergo fermentation for red wine the

whole crushed grape including the skin

goes into the fermentation tank or vat

this is because during fermentation red

wines undergo mation a process where the

grape skins remain in contact with the

fermenting juice this extracts color

tannins and additional flavors from the

Skins during the fermentation process

wild yeast are fed into the tank or vat

to turn the sugar in the must into

alcohol some wine makers may also used

cultured yeast for their wines as far as

the type of yeast goes it can VAR wine

makers are continuously experimenting

with different kinds of yeast to improve

the quality of their wine in addition

cane or Beach sugar may be added to

increase the alcoholic content adding

sugar is called chaptalization usually

chaptalization is done because the

grapes have not received enough Sun

prior to harvesting the wine maker will

use a handheld hydrometer to measure the

sugar content in the tank or vat the

wine must ferment in the tank or vat for

approximately 7 to 14 days depending on

the type of wine being produced after

crushing and fermentation wine needs to

be stored filtered and properly aged

many wineries still store wine in damp

Subterranean wine cellers to keep the

wine cool but larger wineries now store

wine above ground in epoxy lined and

stainless steel tanks the tanks are

temperature controlled by water that

circulates inside the lining of the tank

shell wine can also be stored in Oak

barrels or concrete vets Oak aging

imparts additional flavors and Aromas to

the wine influencing its complexity and

structure the duration of Aging varies

depending on the wine style and wine

maker preferences to remove any

remaining sediment or particles the wine

is clarified through fining and

filteration fining agents such as

Bentonite or egg whites are added to

bind with undesirable particles allowing

them to settle and be easily removed

filter ation further refines the Wine's

Clarity in some cases wine makers May

Blend Wines from different batches or

grape varieties to achieve a desired

flavor profile this is common in regions

where multiple grape varieties are grown

providing wine makers with a palet of

flavors to work with once the wine maker

is satisfied with the Wine's

characteristics it is time for bottling

the wine is carefully transferred from

aging vessels to bottles and in some

cases a small amount of sulfur dioxide

is added to prevent oxidation and

microbial spoilage after bottling the

wine is sealed with a cork or

alternative closure such as a screw cap

most medium to large sized wineries now

use automated bottling machines and most

moderately priced and expensive wine

bottles have corks made of a special Oak

the corks are covered with a peel off

aluminum foil or plastic seal cheaper

wines have an aluminum screw off cap or

plastic stopper the choice of closure

can impact the Wine's aging potential

and susceptibility to oxidation finally

labels are applied providing essential

information about the wine including its

origin vintage and alcohol content if

you're curious about the word vintage it

refers to the year in which the grapes

used to make the wine were harvested it

is a way of indicating the specific

growing season and weather conditions in

a particular gear which can

significantly impact the characteristics

and quality of the wine wine enthusiasts

often pay attention to the Vintage

because variations in weather conditions

such as temperature rainfall and

sunlight during the growing season can

influence the ripening of the grapes and

consequently the flavor Aroma and

overall profile of the wine certain

years may be considered better or worse

for grape growing and this can be

reflected in the perceived quality of

the wines produced in a given vintage in

some wine producing regions certain

years may be declared as exceptional

leading to a higher demand and

potentially higher prices for wines from

that vintage it's important to note that

not all wines are vintage dated some are

non-vintage Blends that combine wines

from different years to achieve a

consistent flavor profile while some

wines are ready for consumption shortly

after bottling others benefit from

further Aging in the bottle this aging

period allows the wine to evolve and

develop more complex flavors and Aromas

the optimal aging time varies depending

on the wine type and individual

preferences all facets of wine

production must be carefully controlled

to create a quality wine such variables

as the speed with which the harvested

grapes are crushed the temperature and

timing during both fermentation and

aging the percent of sugar and acid in

the harvested grapes and the amount of

sulfur dioxide added during fermentation

all have a tremendous impact on the

quality of the finished wine that was

all about the Journey of a grape from

The Vineyard to a wine bottle if you're

curious about how sugar is made check

out our video on the production of sugar