Wine Production Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of fermentation in winemaking?

To convert water into sugar (correct)

To preserve the grape juice

To add flavor to the wine

To transform sugar into alcohol through the action of yeast (correct)

What is the vintage of a wine?

The type of grape used

The year of grape harvest (correct)

The method of fermentation

The region where the grapes are grown

What is the main species of vine used in modern viticulture?

European Vines

Vitis Vinifera (correct)

American Vines

Asian Vines

Why are American Vines rarely used to produce grapes for winemaking?

Because they produce unattractive flavors Signup and view all the answers

What are the principal differences between grape varieties?

Color and flavor Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of positive mutations in grapevines?

Better quality fruits or better disease resistance Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for creating new grape varieties by crossing?

Crossing Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a grape variety that has clones?

Pinot Noir Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe a vine coming from two different parents?

Hybrid Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why American vines are used as rootstocks?

To protect the vines from phylloxera Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc grapes?

High acidity and early ripening Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of nutrients in the growing environment of vines?

To provide necessary elements for growth and development Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum temperature required for grape growth?

10⁰C Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Chardonnay grapes?

Ripens without much difficulty and grows in a wide variety of climates Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe a new grape variety created by crossing two existing varieties?

Crossing Signup and view all the answers

What type of grape is used in the production of ice wine in Canada?

Vidal Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of carbon dioxide in the growing environment of vines?

To support photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of fortification in the production of sweet wine?

To stop the fermentation and preserve the natural sweetness of the grape Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum ageing period for a Reserva Port?

6 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Ruby Port and Tawny Port?

The color and type of barrel used Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port?

Aged for 4-6 years and usually unfiltered Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of foot treading in the production of Port?

To crush the grapes and release the juice Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the grape spirit used in the fortification of Port?

Aguardente Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the production of ice wine?

The grapes are frozen before fermentation Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why wines are fortified?

To extend the shelf life of the wine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary grape varietal used in Sherry production?

Palomino Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum ABV required for Flor development to occur in Sherry?

15% Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of ageing process that occurs in Sherry production when the wine is fortified at less than 17% ABV?

Biological ageing Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the system used to age Sherry?

Solera system Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the fortified muscat wine from the Southern Rhone region?

Beaumes-de-Venise Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of wine produced by drying grapes on the vines?

Rutherglen Signup and view all the answers

What is the grape varietal used to produce Beaumes-de-Venise?

Muscat petit grain blanc Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of adding la liqueur de tirage in the production of sparkling wine?

To provide nutrients, sugar, yeast, and flocculant for the second fermentation Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of removing excess yeast from the bottle before corking?

Disgorgement Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of yeast autolysis in sparkling wine production?

Breakdown of yeast cells, releasing compounds that add complexity to the wine Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the method of producing sparkling wine by injecting CO2 into the still wine?

Carbonation method Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of riddling in sparkling wine production?

To move the sediment to the neck of the bottle Signup and view all the answers

What is the dosage level of a Brut nature sparkling wine?

0-3g/l Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the addition of sugar and sometimes red wine to the bottle before corking?

Liqueur d'expedition Signup and view all the answers

How long does the yeast autolysis process typically take in sparkling wine production?

15-36 months Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Wine Basics

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grape juice
Fermentation is the transformation of sugar into alcohol through the action of yeast
Vintage refers to the year of the harvest, but it's not a compulsory information to be included on the label

Grape Species

There are many different species of vine, but grape growers are only concerned with a handful of species
Vitis Vinifera is the main Eurasian species, producing nearly all the grapes used in winemaking
American Vines are native to North America, rarely used to produce grapes for winemaking due to unattractive flavors
However, American Vines are resistant to Phylloxera, a insect that attacks Vitis Vinifera

Grape Varieties

There are thousands of grape varieties belonging to Vitis Vinifera
The principal differences between grape varieties are variations in color and flavor
Clones are genetically identical vines that can still show variations due to mutations, sometimes leading to positive results
Crossings are the creation of new varieties by crossing two different grape varieties
Hybrids are vines coming from two different parents, often used for crossings

Rootstocks

Rootstocks are used to graft American Vines onto Vitis Vinifera to prevent Phylloxera attacks

Growing Environment

Vines need five things to grow: heat, sunlight, water, nutrients, and carbon dioxide
Heat is essential, with temperatures below 10°C being detrimental to growth

Wine Varietals

Sauvignon Blanc is a highly aromatic varietal with high acidity, well-suited for cool climates
Chardonnay is a versatile varietal that can grow in a wide range of climates

Sherry

Sherry is a fortified wine from Spain, made from three white varietals: Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, and Muscat of Alexandria
Sherry undergoes biological ageing, where Flor develops and adds complexity to the wine
Oxidative ageing occurs when the wine is fortified to above 17% ABV, preventing Flor development

Fortified Muscat

Beaumes-de-Venise is a youthful, unaged Muscat from the Rhone Valley, producing a white, sweet, and floral wine
RutherGlen is a fully developed, aged Muscat from Australia, producing a luscious, sweet wine

Port

Port is a fortified wine from Portugal, made from five white varietals: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barocca, Tinta Cao, and Touriga Franca
Ruby Port is a blend of wines aged for 2-3 years, with a ruby color and sweet flavor
Tawny Port is aged for a similar period, with a more brown color
Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) is a vintage wine aged for 4-6 years, usually unfiltered
Vintage Port must come from a single Quinta (single estate)

Ice Wine

Ice wine is a type of dessert wine produced from grapes that have frozen on the vine
The sugars and other dissolved solids don't freeze, allowing for a more concentrated grape juice to develop
The grape must be pressed from the frozen grapes, resulting in a smaller amount of sweet juice
Ice wine is mainly produced in Canada and Germany, with Vidal being a popular varietal

Winemaking of Sweet Wine

Stopping fermentation through fortification or adding SO2
Adding a sweet component (Rectified Concentrated Grape Must)
Costly and time-consuming process

Sparkling Wines

Riddling and disgorgement are processes used in sparkling wine production to remove excess yeast
There are different methods of producing sparkling wines, including Carbonation, Asti Method, Ancestral method, and Traditional method

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Description

Learn about the basics of wine production, including fermentation, vintage, and vine species. This quiz covers the fundamentals of wine making.