Winemaking: Process, Regions, and Key Factors
Winemaking Process
Still Wine
Harvest > Destem and Crush > Put it in barrels of oak or stainless steel > Put the cap > Take skins and seeds > What we have left is the must > and then we do maceration with the must (skin contact) > then we do the alcoholic fermentation (yeasts, sugars = Ethanol, CO2, and alcohol) > and that would be the wine > oak aging or bottle aging.
Sparkling Wine
Base wine > we do second fermentation which is the: wine + yeasts + sugars, CO2, Ethanol, and Liqueur de Tirage > Maturation > Riddling > Liqueur d’expedition (wine, sugar) > Disgorgement.
Weather Influence
The warmer the weather is, the more alcohol it has and the riper the taste. The cooler it is, the higher the acidity and also the tart taste.
Basic wine characteristics = sweetness, acidity, tannins, alcohol, and body.
Wines in the World
- Old World: The regions where winemaking originated were Europe, the Mediterranean zone, and the Middle East. They used traditional winemaking techniques. More strict wine laws, lighter style, less alcohol, and higher acidity.
- New World: Colonies resulting from European explorations: America, Australia, New Zealand, China, India, and Japan. Modern winemaking techniques. More permissive wine laws. Tasting riper, higher alcohol, fruitier, and less acidity.
Top Regions and Key Figures
- Top Vineyard Areas: Spain, China, and France.
- Top Consumption: USA, France, and Italy.
- Exports in Volume: Spain; in Value: France
- Imports in Volume: Germany; in Value: USA.
- Production: 39% Europe, 34% Asia, 18% America.
Key Factors in Wine Production
- Temperature
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil
If the temperature is below 10ºC, it is too cold for the vine. Between 16ºC and 21ºC is what the vine needs in the growing season. It also depends on the variety.
Latitude, altitude, ocean currents, fog, soil, and slope faces affect the annual temperature. Temperature Hazards: winter freeze (temperature below -20ºC), and spring frosts (temperature below 0ºC).
Soil controls water supply, nutrients, and humus.
Global warming puts in risks individual events, variability in climate, climate change at a global scale, and effects early harvest, loss of aroma and flavors, soil erosion, etc.
France
Regions from Northern France have a cool climate, wines with high acidity, and tart fruit; Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc. Regions from Central France have warm climates, moderate acidity, and fresh fruit; Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah. Regions from South France have a warm climate, medium acidity, and ripe fruit; Malbec, Grenache, Carignan.
Bordeaux
Prestigious, moderate maritime climate, 44º Latitude, 90% red total production. Almost all of the wines are a blend of varieties. Red grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon (red variety, the world’s most planted variety, very adaptable, makes tannic and acid wines, black fruits, and bell pepper aroma), Merlot (the most widely planted in Bordeaux, softer and sweeter, aroma: black cherry, raspberry). White grape: Semillon (most white variety planted in Bordeaux, wines from dry to sweet, usually blended with Sauvignon Blanc, aroma: grass, apple) and Sauvignon Blanc. Key producers: Chateau Margaux (Medoc), etc.
Burgundy
Northern cool continental climate, hotter summers. Red variety: Pinot Noir (thin skin, 1/3 of the vineyard in Burgundy, notes of red cherry). White variety: Chardonnay (planted around the world, it accommodates different climates). Producers: Romanee-Conti and La Tache.
Beaujolais
Carbonic maceration, young wine, grape used: Gamay. Beaujolais Nouveau: young wine, fresh, that is released at midnight on the third Thursday of November.
Alsace
Small vineyards, influenced by French and German wines, cool continental, great variety of soil. 90% white wine. Grape type: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat. The main red variety is Pinot Noir. Producers: Trimbach and Hugel.
Loire Valley
Spring frost can be a problem. White grape varieties: Melon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc (high acidity), and Chenin Blanc (high acidity, dry and sweet wines, aroma: green apple, lemon). Red wine: Cabernet Franc (paler, less tannic, raspberry). Producers: Francis Cotat.
Champagne
Focused on sparkling wine, cool continental climate. Grapes: white; Chardonnay, and red; Pinot Noir, Meunier. Producers: Dom Perignon and Veuve Clicquot.
Rhone Valley
87% red wine. Grape varieties in Northern Rhone, the only black variety permitted. White: Viognier, dry, dense, and high alcohol wines, peach.