Wine has been around since ancient times, and in fact, was often drunk instead of water since water could be of questionable quality. But how is wine made? Grapes, fermentation, and water, right?
101 Wine Press is the newest winery and restaurant in Prunedale. We offer Santa Maria BBQ, craft beer, and, of course, our own wine selections. Continue reading below for a quick look at how wine is made, and then stop in today for a wine sample you won’t forget!
HOW IS WINE MADE?
There is much involved in winemaking, from growing and picking the right grapes to just the right added ingredients in the fermentation process. This is a quick overview of the basic steps of winemaking.
- Grow and pick the grapes. Wine is first and foremost grapes. And it’s the type of grapes that primarily determine the flavor. A lot goes into the actual growing of grapes, from the type of soil used to the particular type of grape. However, almost as important as the growing of grapes is the picking of the grapes because the moment you harvest them determines the acidity, flavor, and sweetness of the wine — all important to wine lovers around the world.
- Crush and press the grapes. In days of old, this was indeed done with people’s feet, which may seem gross to us today. Nowadays, thanks to technology, most grapes are crushed by a mechanical press. 101 Wine Press in Prunedale notes that the grapes are pressed into what is known as must, which is basically grape juice with the skins, seeds, and solids of the grape still in place. Mechanical presses have increased the longevity and quality of the wine for the better.
- Fermentation. After the grapes are made into must, fermentation takes place. Fermentation is simply the chemical breakdown of the grapes by bacteria, yeasts, and other microorganisms. Yeast is usually added in. Fermentation is complete when all of the sugar has been converted to alcohol, unless some sugar is left over for added sweetness. This process takes anywhere from 10 days to one month.
- Clarification. Like the word implies, clarification of wine involves the removal of dead yeast cells, tannins, and proteins. 101 Wine Press in Prunedale notes that wine is then usually filtered.
- Aging and bottling. At this point, either wine can be bottled right away, or it can be left to age. Aging gives the wine added flavors, such as a vanilla flavor when placed in oak caskets. Aging can also increase the fruit flavor of wine as well. Bottling usually involves a cork or screw, which is just a personal preference on the part of the winery and does not affect the taste.
WHY CHOOSE 101 WINE PRESS IN PRUNEDALE
Here at 101 Wine Press in Prunedale, you’ll find community. We opened the newest casual restaurant in Prunedale so we could offer the community a place to gather after a long day at work and enjoy some great wine and food. We invite you to stop in and “wine” down with us today!