What You Need to Know
Winemaking, wine-making, or vinification is the production of wine, starting with the selection of the fruit, its fermentation into alcohol, and the bottling of the finished liquid. The history of wine-making stretches over millennia. There is evidence that suggests that the earliest wine production took place in Georgia and Iran around 6000 to 5000 B.C. The science of wine and winemaking is known as oenology. A winemaker may also be called a vintner. The growing of grapes is viticulture and there are many varieties of grapes.
Key Parameters
Temperature
15°C
10°C - 25°C
Time
10 days
7 days - 14 days
Equipment
Steps
- 1.
Barolo (Piedmont, Italy): Extended maceration creates tannic structure
- 2.
Sauternes (Bordeaux, France): Botrytis infection concentrates sugars
- 3.
Champagne (Champagne, France): Secondary fermentation in bottle creates bubbles
The Science
Primary Reaction
Fermentation of glucose to ethanol