Making new wine

The art of winemaking! Making new wine is a fascinating process that requires patience, attention to detail, and a passion for crafting a delicious beverage. Here's a general overview of the steps involved in making new wine:

Step 1: Harvesting

The first step in making new wine is to harvest the grapes. This typically occurs in the fall, when the grapes are ripe and ready to be picked. The grapes are carefully selected and picked by hand or by machine, depending on the winery's methods.

Step 2: Crushing

After harvesting, the grapes are crushed to release their juice and pulp. This is typically done using a crusher or a press, which helps to break down the grape skins and release the juice.

Step 3: De-stemming

The next step is to de-stem the grapes, which involves removing the stems and leaves from the grape juice. This helps to prevent bitterness and tannins from entering the wine.

Step 4: Cold soak

Some winemakers choose to cold soak the grape juice, which involves chilling the juice to around 50°F (10°C) for several days. This helps to extract more flavor and color from the grape skins.

Step 5: Fermentation

The grape juice is then transferred to a fermentation tank, where yeast is added to convert the sugars into alcohol. The fermentation process typically takes several weeks to several months, depending on the type of grape and the desired level of sweetness.

Step 6: Pressing

After fermentation is complete, the wine is pressed to separate the liquid from the solids. This helps to clarify the wine and remove any sediment.

Step 7: Racking

The wine is then racked, which involves transferring it to a new tank or barrel to clarify and stabilize the wine.

Step 8: Aging

The wine is then aged, which involves storing it in oak barrels or stainless steel tanks to allow it to mature and develop its flavors. The length of time the wine is aged can vary depending on the type of wine and the desired level of complexity.

Step 9: Bottling

Finally, the wine is bottled and prepared for distribution. Some winemakers may choose to age the wine further in the bottle before releasing it to the market.

Additional steps

There are many additional steps involved in making new wine, including:

Of course, the specific steps involved in making new wine can vary depending on the winery, the type of grape, and the desired style of wine. But these general steps provide a good overview of the process.