Winemaking
Table Wine Classification in Europe
Table wines are among the most inexpensive types of wines available in the market, and sometimes considered as the lowliest. These are usually drunk during a midday meal or used to make wine-based cocktails. Its definition is different depending on where you live. more»
Annual Life Cycle of the Grape Vine
This is a rough outline of what a common year in a vineyard in France is like. It's important to remember that in the southern Hemisphere where the countries of Australia, South Africa and Chile reside, the harvest time is during the months of February and March which is also when autumn comes. more»
The Basics of Winemaking
The process of making wines is not just a simple one track process. It involves a series of different stages. Each of these stages will eventually affect how the finished product will come out. Understanding the complex process that allows grapes to be made into wine would help one fully appreciate how valuable each sip would be on the wine glass. more»
Wine Trivia
Wine has been enjoyed by many for quite a long time now. Its history dates back into ancient times when grapes was first known to be cultivated and fermented into an ancient brew that became the process that was eventually followed in the production of modern wines. The long and rich history of wines comes with a number of quite interesting trivia that revolved around this popular drink and how it was made. Here are just some interesting samples to think about. more»
Make Your Own Wine
Being able to make your own wine is a very cost-effective way to be able to have a lot of supplies of your favorite vintages. Even though the wine-making process is quite simple, it is very important for one to follow the exact steps to carefully make sure that you do not miss any elements. All of these steps are essential for you to be able to produce a very successful batch. more»
Oaks Barrels in Winemaking
It is a long standing tradition among win makers around the world to store and age wines in oak barrels. The oaks contain flavors and tannins which are considered essential for making red and some white wines. More specifically, the barrels adds vanilla and oak flavors to the wine which enhances its overall characteristics. Also, because oak barrels have tight grains, the wooden containers are leak free.
The age of the barrels determine how rich the "oak" flavors added into the wine. The younger the oak used for the barrel, the stronger the flavor. And the more used the barrel the less flavor it contains. However, different varieties of oak trees also have varying effects on the taste and character of the wine. more»
Wine Preservative: Sulphur Dioxide
The use of preservatives in wine making is a common practice. Treating the wine with preservatives after it has ferment stabilizes the wine and protect it from any microbial contaminations that would cause spoilage. Most common causes of wine spoilage are bacteria, molds and yeast which are naturally occurring and are always present in grapes. These are also present in winemaking equipment especially those not cleaned properly.
Most often, the effects of microbial spoilage include unpleasant smell and taste of the wine. Winemakers, therefore, have find it vital to add preservatives in their wine. One of the most common preservative used is sulfur dioxide. more»
Wine Grape Growing
Winemaking is a complicated venture. The making of fine wines certainly requires not only extensive knowledge but experience as well. There are certain factors that affect every winemaking process and it doesn't start off with just the actual processing of the fruit. In fact, winemaking starts from the process of grape cultivation and ends with the final product being transported to the market. more»
Vine Training Techniques
In wine cultivation, factors like weather, amount of sunlight, water, and soil fertility play vital roles in producing the final product. One more very important aspect of wine cultivation is vine training. Training a vine means forcing it grow in a way where the vine yield is optimized, the ripening of the fruits are faster and better, and harvesting is easier as well.
There are varied techniques that are used to train your vines. For instance, training your vines to separate would create space between the leaves allowing better sunlight and air to reach the vines could mean the use of pruning techniques or use of vine training attachments that ties, restricts or position the vines in ways that would be beneficial overall. more»
Winemaking in Bordeaux
Among the wine producing regions in the world, the one that holds a lot of prestige is Bordeaux, France. This port city in the southwest of France supplies one third of the best quality wine in France. It is not surprising considering Bordeaux has 57 appellations, around 7,000 wine-producing chateaus, and about 13,000 wine growers.
They say the soil is the main reason why Bordeaux produces great wines. The soil contains a hefty amount of gravel which gives the soil a characteristically absorbent nature keeping the heat trapped which in turn allows ripening of the grapes and expansion of the vine's root of systems. more»
Best Red Wine Regions in the World
Wine connoisseurs know where to get the best wine in the world. You should too. Here are the best red wine locations in the world.
France - France is the hotbed for wine and for good reason. Bordeaux is prolific in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. On the other hand, Rhone Valley is known for its Syrah, while Loire Valley churns out Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. more»
Best White Wine Regions in the World
Knowing where to find the best white wine is basically locating where the best wine-making countries are. Here are the most recognized white wine producing nations.
France - one word should be enough to let people associate France with wine: Champagne. Besides that bubbly drink, the French are also known to produce Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle in Bordeaux; Viognier in Rhone Valley; Riesling in Alsace; and Chenin Blanc in Loire Valley. more»
