How to make wine (the whole process from picking to bottling)

Wine is an ancient and exquisite beverage that is made through a series of complex steps from grape harvesting to bottling. Below we will describe in detail how to make wine.

1. Harvesting Grapes

The first step in making wine is to pick ripe grapes. Generally, grapes are picked in the morning or evening after they are ripe, when they have the best sugar and acidity. Be careful not to damage the grapes when picking so as not to interfere with the subsequent fermentation process.

2. Pressing of the grapes

The grapes are pressed to extract the juice. Traditionally, the grapes were stomped in order to separate the skins from the pulp. Modern wineries use mechanical presses to accomplish this step. The pressure and time of pressing should be carefully controlled so as not to bring the bitterness and acidity from the skins into the juice.

3. Fermentation of the must

After the must has been pressed, it undergoes fermentation. Fermentation is the process of converting the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Typically, winemakers add yeast to facilitate the fermentation process. Fermentation generally takes place in temperature-controlled containers for a period of time that depends on the variety of grapes and the winemaker's requirements.

4. Clarification of Wine

After the fermentation is completed, there will be some solid particles and impurities in the wine. In order to make the wine clear and transparent, a clarification step is needed. Generally, winemakers use various clarifiers, such as egg white and gelatin, to adsorb the impurities suspended in the wine and make them settle to the bottom.

5. Wine aging

After clarification, the wine needs to be aged to give it more finesse and complexity. The aging time is generally long and can range from a few months to a few years. During the aging process, the wine slowly acquires more aromas and flavor characteristics.

6. Filtration and Bottling of Wine

After aging, the wine needs to be filtered to remove residual impurities and solid particles. Filtration can be done using a variety of filters, such as paper filters or ceramic filters. The filtered wine can then be bottled for enjoyment.

Ending

Making wine is a craft that requires patience and skill, with each step requiring careful handling and control. From picking ripe grapes to bottling the wine, each step has an impact on the quality of the final product. We hope that through this article, you have gained a better understanding of the process of making wine.