Harvest Date

Question 1

Define harvest.

Answer 1

When the grapes are picked, marks the end of ripening

Question 2

Traditional harvest date?

Answer 2

100 days after the beginning of flowering

Question 3

Why is potential alcohol less relevant today?

Answer 3

• warmer climate speeding up sugar development
• better viticulture, enabling grapes to ripen more successfully
• more focus on aroma and tannin development

Question 4

Impact of weather on harvest decision?

Answer 4

Untimely rainfall around harvest may force an early harvest to avoid dilution and rot of the grapes

Question 5

Three ways ripeness is measured?

Answer 5

1. sugar levels…potential alcohol
2. titratable acidity
3. tannin and flavor development

Question 6

How is sugar in grapes measured?

Answer 6

Using a refractometer (handheld or digital)

• Brix, a measure of dissolved solids, is the most common scale

Question 7

Typical sugar level range for dry wine?

Answer 7

19-25 Brix (equivalent of 11-15% abv)

Question 8

Method for calculating acidity?

Answer 8

Titration or pH meter

Question 9

How to detect flavor and aroma ripness in grapes?

Answer 9

Tasting is the most common method. High tech analysis can be used, but is expensive.

Question 10

Importance of harvest date for wines that have RS?

Answer 10

• some harvested late to concentrate sugars in the grapes
• some need hand-harvesting over several passes through the vineyard to select the most botrytized grapes at that time
• some grapes can only be picked when temperatures reach below certain levels (Icewine, Eisweint)

Question 11

What is extended hang-time? Why is it controversial?

Answer 11

The amount of time grapes are left on the vine after ripening.

Con: overly alcoholic and unbalanced wines, lacking in natural acidity and having over-ripe fruit

Pro: Critics reward these wines with high scores, consumers like them