Vinification

Question 1

Fill in the blank:

The process of making wine is called ______.

Answer 1

vinification

Question 2

What is the process called for releasing the juice from freshly-picked grapes?

Answer 2

Crushing

For white wines this is one of the very first steps in the winemaking process.

Question 3

What happens with black grapes after they are crushed and the juice is released?

Answer 3

Typically they would then go to the fermentation vessel.

Question 4

What happens with white grapes after they are crushed and the juice is released?

Answer 4

Typically, white grapes and juice would then go to the press, where the remaining juice would be pressed off or released from the skins.

Question 5

For red grapes, what is done to maximize extraction of color and tannins?

Answer 5

The skins are mixed thoroughly with the juice

There are a number of ways to do this: punch-down the skins into the juice, pump the juice over the skins, mix the tank with paddles, or roll the tank.

Question 6

For red wines, when is the juice drained off the skins?

Answer 6

Usually after fermentation has completed, although some producers may leave the skins in the juice for longer to get more color and tannins into the wine.

Question 7

What types of vessels are wines typically matured in?

Answer 7

The majority of wines are matured in Stainless steel tanks and oak barrels.

Question 8

When making rosé wine, how long is the juice in contact with the skins?

Answer 8

Only a few hours

Question 9

In terms of skin contact, what is the difference between making white wine and red wine?

Answer 9

White wines usually have little or no skin contact, while red wines often have an extended period of skin contact, either before or after fermentation.
Rosé wines only have a few hours of skin contact.

Question 10

True or False:

White wines can be made from black grapes.

Answer 10

True

There are many examples of black grapes being used to make white wines - the most famous is perhaps Champagne.

Question 11

List the steps in the white winemaking process.

Answer 11

The steps to make white wine:

• Crushing,
• Pressing,
• Fermentation,
• Maturation, and
• Bottling.

Question 12

List the steps in the red winemaking process.

Answer 12

The steps to make red wine:

• Crushing,
• Fermentation,
• Draining,
• Pressing,
• Maturation, and
• Bottling.

Question 13

List the steps in the rosé winemaking process.

Answer 13

The steps to make rosé wine:

• Crushing
• Fermentation
• Draining (after just a few hours)
• Maturation
• Bottling