How is wine made?
Wine is made by fermenting grapes, which can be of different varieties. The process of making wine involves several steps:
Harvesting: Grapes are harvested by hand or machine, depending on the size of the vineyard and the type of grape. Grapes are picked at their peak ripeness, which varies depending on the grape variety and the desired style of wine.
Crushing and Pressing: The grapes are then crushed to release their juice, which is called "must." The grapes may also be pressed to extract more juice.
Fermentation: The must is then placed into a fermentation vessel, such as stainless steel tanks or oak barrels. Yeast is added to the must, which converts the sugar in the grapes into alcohol. This process can take several weeks to a couple of months depending on the grape variety and the desired style of wine.
Aging: Once the fermentation is completed, the wine is then aged, usually in oak barrels. The aging process can vary depending on the type of wine and the desired flavor profile. White wines are typically aged for a shorter period of time than red wines.
Clarification and stabilization: The wine is clarified by removing the solid particles that have formed during fermentation and aging. The wine is also stabilized to prevent further fermentation.
Bottling: Once the wine has been clarified and stabilized, it is then bottled and sealed.
Note that this is a general overview of the process, and different wineries have different methods and techniques to make wine.
