We are very used to seeing wine bottles on the shelves of supermarkets or in the wine bars of restaurants and bars. But how do you prepare the wine? What are the phases it goes through until it ends up in a labeled bottle?
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Index
The initial process
The cultivation of the vine is a crucial process in order to obtain quality grapes with which to make good wines.
Once the grapes with which the wine will be made have been selected, they are put in the press and in the crusher in order to achieve the much-appreciated grape must.
So that the natural sugar present in the must is transformed into alcohol, yeast must be added to it . This is the phase known as fermentation , which takes place in barrels.
Fermentation temperature
When the wine is in the barrels, the temperature controls are mandatory to guarantee its optimal fermentation. For example, in the case of red wine, the temperature for fermentation to take place must be between 30º to 35º . Also, the fermentation time is usually 10 days.
Another important aspect is that during this phase the tank must be drained . Why? To aerate the wine, since oxygen helps the yeast to speed up the fermentation phase.
Controls
When the wine is fermenting, it is essential to do daily monitoring to ensure that the phase is running smoothly.
Thanks to the controls, it is possible to detect when the fermentation phase is over: which is when the sugars are at very low levels and when the alcohol content is between 11% and 14% .
Next, the wine must be pumped , so that it mixes well and, then, proceed to its filtration in order to eliminate possible particles that have been generated.
The last phase: bottling
Something crucial in this phase is to prevent oxygen from entering the bottle, because it makes the wine sour. In addition, the color of the bottle helps preserve the wine, as light can negatively affect the taste of the wine .
But the process does not end here. And it is that the wine, once in the bottle, continues to age and undergo some change .
What did you think of the wine-making process? As we have already explained, technically, wine has an infinite process. And, even once bottled, it continues to age.
Therefore, in order not to interrupt this process, you must be aware of the importance of carrying out an optimal wine conservation process.
