The Harvest
There would be no wine if there was no fruit, so harvesting (or picking) is the first step in the winemaking process. Only grapes produce enough sugar to produce enough alcohol to preserve the resulting beverage, and other fruits lack the necessary acids, esters, and tannins to consistently produce natural, stable wine. Harvesting can be done mechanically or manually; however, many estates prefer hand harvesting because mechanical harvesters can be harsh on the grapes and the vineyard.
Crushing and Pressing
The next step in the winemaking process is to crush whole clusters of fresh ripe grapes. Men and women have been performing the harvest dance in barrels and presses for thousands of years, beginning the magical transformation of grape juice from concentrated sunlight and water held together in clusters of fruit to the most healthful and mystical of all beverages – wine. Mechanical crushers now perform the time-honored tradition of stomping or trodding the grapes into what is commonly known as must.
The Aging and Bottling of Wine
The aging and bottling of wine is the final stage of the winemaking process. Following clarification, the winemaker has the option of bottling a wine immediately, as is the case with Beaujolais Nouveau, or aging it further, as is the case with Grand Cru Bordeaux and great Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Additional aging can take place in bottles, stainless steel or ceramic tanks, large wooden ovals, or small barrels known as barriques.
Wine’s Health Benefits
Aside from the incredible social benefits of a glass of red wine, optimal amounts of red wine consumption is actually beneficial to health. This is due to the fact that, in addition to the crisp flavor notes that every glass of premium red wine brings, it also contains far more antioxidants than a glass of white wine.
Have you ever had the impression that a particular premium red wine you’ve tried has a much better mouth feel and flavor than another? This could be attributed to the grape variety and wine region where the grapes were grown.