Circuito Productivo del Vino

Daniela Dib

30 May 201808:49

Summary

TLDRThis video script delves into the art of winemaking, starting from the cultivation of the vine to the fermentation process. It highlights the importance of climate and grape varieties like Cabernet and Malbec in Argentina. The script outlines the stages of wine production, including harvesting, fermentation, and aging, and touches on the significance of domestic consumption and international exports, particularly emphasizing Mendoza's role in Argentina's wine industry.

Takeaways

🍇 Wine is made from the fermentation of the year's fruit, specifically from grapes belonging to the Vitaceae family.
🌡 The grapevine requires harsh climatic conditions to develop properly, with temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius and gentle winds to reduce fungal incidence.
🌱 Grapevines are typically propagated through cuttings rather than seeds, with the operation occurring in spring and fruits maturing by late summer to early autumn.
🍇🔪 The grape harvest, which is crucial for wine production, typically takes place between February and April, with white varieties harvested first.
🛠️ Mechanical harvesting involves a machine designed to remove grapes without damaging the plant, followed by hand-picking if necessary.
🧪 The most important stage in wine production is fermentation, where grape sugar is converted into alcohol by yeasts, both naturally occurring and lab-selected.
🍇🍶 After fermentation, the wine undergoes processes such as racking (remontaje) to aerate the mass and promote yeast activity, and clarification to achieve a cleaner and clearer wine.
🚰 Secondary fermentation may occur, where malic acid is converted to lactic acid by lactic bacteria, reducing the wine's acidity.
🍾 The final steps in wine production include filtration to remove any remaining particles and bottling, which prepares the wine for market or further aging.
📈 Argentina's internal wine market is significant, with 75% of production being consumed domestically, and it is less affected by economic crises due to the affordability of most wines.
🌍 Argentina's wine export sector has been dynamic since the late 1990s, with Mendoza being the leading province in production and export, accounting for 65% of national production and 84% of export values.

Q & A

What is the primary ingredient used to make wine?
-The primary ingredient used to make wine is the fruit of the vine, specifically grapes that belong to the family of Vitis vinifera.
What type of environmental conditions are required for the proper growth of grapevines?
-Grapevines require arid climatic conditions to develop properly, with temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius, good sunlight for sugar development, and gentle winds that facilitate leaf growth and reduce the incidence of fungi.
How does grapevine reproduction typically occur?
-Grapevines typically do not reproduce with seeds but through cuttings taken from the same plant, a process that occurs in spring.
What are the two main parts of a grape cluster?
-The two main parts of a grape cluster are the 'rachis' or stalk, which holds the grapes, and the rest, which is made up of the skin, pulp, and seeds.
What is the most important stage in the wine-making process?
-The most important stage in the wine-making process is fermentation, during which the sugar of the grape is transformed into alcohol.
What microorganisms are responsible for the fermentation of grape sugars into alcohol?
-Wild yeasts, known as 'indigenous' yeasts, are responsible for the transformation of grape sugars into alcohol. Nowadays, selected yeast strains are often added from a laboratory to ensure optimal fermentation.
When does the grape harvest typically take place in Argentina?
-In Argentina, the grape harvest typically takes place between February and April, with white varieties harvested earlier and red varieties later.
What is the purpose of the 'remontaje' process in wine-making?
-The 'remontaje' process is used to aerate the mass, providing greater yeast development, increased fermentative activity, and a rise in temperature, as well as homogenizing the mass and dispersing the extracted substances.
What is the 'malolactic fermentation' and its purpose in wine-making?
-Malolactic fermentation is a secondary fermentation process where malic acid is transformed into lactic acid by lactic bacteria, reducing the wine's acidity and releasing carbon dioxide.
What are the two main methods for clarifying wine?
-The two main methods for clarifying wine are natural clarification, where particles settle out of suspension, and artificial clarification, which involves the addition of egg whites, bentonite, or gelatin to help clear the wine.
Which province in Argentina is the most important for the production of Argentine wines?
-Mendoza is the most important province for the production of Argentine wines, producing 65% of the national production and exporting approximately 84% of the total export values.
What is the significance of the internal market in the Argentine wine industry?
-The internal market is very important in the Argentine wine industry as 75% of the production goes to this market. The increase in domestic consumption is a consequence of the inability to export the product in recent decades, and it remains stable even in times of crisis.
Which countries are the main export destinations for Argentine wines?
-The main export destinations for Argentine wines include the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, which account for 70% of the total exports.

Outlines

00:00

🍇 The Art of Winemaking

This paragraph delves into the origins of wine, explaining that it is produced by fermenting the fruit of the year, particularly from the Vitaceae family. It highlights the specific conditions required for grapevines to thrive, such as temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius, sufficient sunlight, and gentle winds to prevent fungal infections. The process of grape reproduction is also mentioned, emphasizing that it is typically done through cuttings from the same plant, not seeds. The paragraph further describes the grapevine's structure, including the cluster, berries, and seeds, all of which are crucial for wine production. The winemaking process is introduced, starting with the harvesting of grapes when they reach optimal ripeness, usually between February and April in Argentina. The text also touches on the different stages of wine production, beginning with fermentation, where the grape sugar is converted into alcohol by yeasts, both naturally occurring and those added in the winery for optimal fermentation.

05:02

🌐 The Global Reach of Argentine Wine

This paragraph focuses on the internal market of the Argentine wine industry, noting that 75% of production is consumed domestically. It points out the stability of wine consumption in Argentina, which does not significantly fluctuate during economic crises. The affordability of most wines contributes to this stability, as they are not affected by changes in the purchasing power of consumers. The paragraph also discusses the importance of Mendoza province, which accounts for over 78% of domestic wine shipments and is renowned for its high-quality wines. The text then shifts to the international market, highlighting the dynamism of Argentina's fine wine export sector since the late 1990s. It mentions the key provinces for wine production, with Mendoza leading the nation, producing 65% of the total and exporting about 84% of the total export value. The paragraph concludes by identifying the main export destinations, including the USA, Canada, the UK, and other countries, which together account for 70% of Argentina's wine exports, and notes the expansion into new markets such as Japan and China since the year 2000.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Wine

Wine is a beverage obtained by the fermentation of grapes, specifically those belonging to the vitis vinifera family. The video explains the wine-making process in detail, emphasizing how the quality of wine depends on the grapes used and the specific conditions in which they are grown. Wine is central to the video’s narrative, as it explores the steps involved in transforming grapes into this alcoholic beverage.

💡Fermentation

Fermentation is a crucial process in wine-making, where sugars in the grape juice are transformed into alcohol and carbon dioxide by yeast. The video highlights fermentation as the most important stage in wine production, detailing how the yeast interacts with the grape’s sugars under the right conditions to produce wine. This process is essential for developing the alcohol content and flavors of the wine.

💡Grapes

Grapes are the primary fruit used in wine production, particularly those from the vitis vinifera family. The video explains how the variety of grapes, their ripeness, and the conditions in which they are grown all influence the final quality of the wine. Different grape varieties, such as Cabernet and Malbec, are mentioned as examples, each contributing distinct characteristics to the wine.

💡Yeast

Yeast refers to the microorganisms responsible for the fermentation process in wine-making. These organisms convert the sugars in grapes into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The video mentions both indigenous yeasts, naturally present on grape skins, and selected yeasts added in modern wine production to ensure optimal fermentation. Yeast plays a critical role in shaping the wine’s flavor profile.

💡Mendoza

Mendoza is a key wine-producing region in Argentina, responsible for a significant portion of the country's wine production and exports. The video discusses Mendoza's dominance in the viticulture industry, producing over 65% of Argentina’s wine and contributing 84% of wine exports. This region's importance is highlighted as a center for high-quality wine production, particularly varietals like Malbec.

💡Malbec

Malbec is a variety of grape and a type of wine for which Argentina, particularly Mendoza, is famous. The video mentions Malbec as one of the most produced and consumed varietals in the country. Malbec is known for its deep color and robust flavor, making it a significant export product and a key element in Argentina’s wine industry.

💡Harvest

Harvest refers to the period when grapes are picked from the vines, marking the beginning of the wine-making process. The video describes how the harvest in Argentina typically occurs between February and April, with different techniques used depending on the grape variety. The timing and method of harvest are critical for ensuring that the grapes are at their optimal ripeness for wine production.

💡Viticulture

Viticulture is the science and practice of grape cultivation, particularly for wine production. The video touches on the climatic and environmental conditions necessary for successful viticulture, such as temperature, sunlight, and wind, all of which affect grape quality. Understanding viticulture is essential for producing high-quality wines, as the cultivation process directly influences the characteristics of the grapes.

💡Alcoholic Fermentation

Alcoholic fermentation is the specific type of fermentation where yeast converts the sugars in grape juice into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The video details this process as the key to wine production, explaining how yeast activity is monitored to ensure the desired alcohol content and flavor profile in the final product. This step is critical in transforming grape juice into wine.

💡Export

Export refers to the global distribution of wine produced in Argentina, particularly to countries like the USA, Canada, and the UK. The video discusses the importance of exports in the Argentine wine industry, noting that despite a strong domestic market, international sales have become increasingly vital. The growth in exports has been crucial for the industry's expansion, especially as domestic demand has fluctuated.

Highlights

Wine is a beverage obtained by fermentation of the year's fruit, specifically from those belonging to the family of Vitis vinifera.

There are various species of grapes that are not suitable for the production of quality wines.

The vine is a climbing plant that requires harsh climatic conditions to develop correctly.

Temperatures of around 25 degrees Celsius, good sunlight, and gentle winds are ideal for grapevine growth.

The vine does not reproduce with seeds but through cuttings taken from the same plant.

The grapevine's fruits mature at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, between February and April.

The grape cluster consists of two parts: the berries and the rachis, with the rest made up of skin, pulp, and seeds.

All three elements - skin, pulp, and seeds - are crucial for wine production.

When the grapes reach optimal maturity, they are harvested, usually between February and April in Argentina.

White grape varieties are usually harvested before red ones.

Harvesting can be done manually with special scissors or mechanically with a machine designed for this purpose.

The most important stage in wine production is fermentation, where grape sugar is transformed into alcohol.

Wild yeasts, also known as indigenous yeasts, are responsible for converting sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

In modern wineries, selected yeast strains are added from a laboratory to ensure optimal fermentation.

After fermentation, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation, where malic acid is converted into lactic acid, reducing the wine's acidity.

Clarification aims to obtain a cleaner and clearer wine, either naturally or with the help of egg whites, bentonite, or gelatin.

Filtration is the process of separating any remaining particles from the wine before bottling.

Bottling is the final step before the wine is ready for market distribution or further aging in the bottle.

Domestic consumption of wine in Argentina is significant, accounting for 75% of production.

The internal market for wine in Argentina is stable, with consumption not significantly affected by economic crises.

Mendoza is the leading province for wine production in Argentina, accounting for over 78% of domestic shipments.

Argentina's wine export sector has shown great dynamism since the late 1990s, with a focus on fine wines.

Mendoza produces 65% of Argentina's national wine production and represents about 84% of total export values.

San Juan is the second most important province for wine production in Argentina and South America.

Argentina exports wines to countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, and China.