A Brief Overview of the Wine-Making Process

1. Growing and harvesting grapes

When the grapes are ripe, they are harvested either by machines or by hand.
Machines are the more time-efficient method for harvesting grapes, particularly in
modern times. Grape harvesting machines work by shaking the grapes off from their
stems and collecting them as they fall. That being said, in steeper areas, or vineyards
which are difficult to access, or where labour is cheaper than investing in a machine,
winemakers often choose to harvest the grapes by hand. It is important to note that
the method of grape picking has little effect on the overall quality of the wine.

2. Crushing grapes
Wineries tend to check and discard unwanted leaves and bad grapes on long
conveyor belts. The good grapes are selected and are usually destemmed to minimise
the tannins. Destemming the grapes can also help decrease temperatures during the
fermentation process, and potentially reduce the alcohol levels. After the grapes have
been destemmed, they are crushed and ready for fermentation. It is, however,
becoming more common for winemakers to ferment with whole clusters of grapes.
Fermenting grapes with the stem can add more tannins and acidity, which can lead to
the wine having a fresher and more vibrant character.

3. Fermentation
In winemaking, fermentation is the process in which grape juice is turned into alcohol.
During fermentation, the yeast culture turns the sugar that’s present in the grape
juice into ethanol and carbon dioxide. There are a variety of different yeast strains
that either occur naturally or are added to control the flavour of the wines. Typically,
red wines are fermented at warmer temperatures of around 20 – 32 degrees, while
white and rose wines are fermented at cooler temperatures of around 12 – 22
degrees. Moreover, red wines are generally fermented until the yeast culture has
consumed all the sugar, which results in a drier wine. In red wine production, the
grapes are fermented in a large, open vessel with their skin attached, to produce a
deep, red colour. As well as adding colour, the skin of grapes increases the tannin
content and adds a distinct flavour to the red wine.

During white wine production, the grape’s skin is removed before fermentation. Most
people think that white wines are only made from white grapes, but in fact, many
quality white wines are made from skinless black grapes. In rose wine production,
winemakers need to have control over the colour of the wine. The grapes are initially
fermented with their skin, but once the juice has created a slight red hue, it is pressed
and transferred to another tank. Before the fermentation process can continue, the
skin of the grapes must be removed, which gives the rose wine its pinkish colour.

4. Maturation
The next step in the winemaking process involves the maturation stage. For the wine
to mature and develop complex flavours, it is placed into separate vessels. Maturation
periods vary depending on the winemaker’s motive. Some winemakers age their wine
for at least five years or more, while others only age for several months, so they can
be consumed straightaway. Inexpensive wines are usually matured in stainless-steel
tanks, but there are many premium wines which are matured in oak barrels, to
enhance and create smoky flavours. The vessels of old oak barrels are porous so that
oxidation can occur – this allows oxygen to dissolve into the wine and soften the
tannins, which results in smoother tasting wine.

5. Fining, filtering and bottling

After the maturation stage, the wine undergoes a process called fining. Fining clarifies
and removes any unwanted particles which are present in the wine – it is usually
done with minerals like egg white, bentonite or gelatine. Once the wine is purified,
the fining minerals are then filtered out. The wine is poured into the disinfected wine
bottle after determining its size and shape. Lastly, before the wine is bottled, a layer
of gas is added to the top of the wine to preserve it.

Part 1: Questions about the Text

1: What is added when grapes are fermented with the stems? 2:
What is fermentation? 3: At
what temperatures are red, white and rose wines fermented? 4:
What are the two methods used for harvesting grapes? 5:
What is the wine process called after the maturation stage? 6:
How long are the maturation periods? 7:
What is removed before fermentation for white wine production?
8: Why are many premium wines matured in oak barrels? 9:
What does the skin of grapes add and increase in red wine?
10: What is added to the top before the wine is bottled? 11:
What do wineries tend to do with unwanted leaves and bad grapes? 12:
What does oxidation allow? 13:
How do grape harvesting machines work? 14: How
is rose wine made? 15: Why
are some wines only aged for a few months?

Part 2: True – False – Not Given

1: The method of grape picking has a great effect on the overall quality of the wine. 2:
Fining clarifies and removes any unwanted particles which are present in the wine. 3:
Machines are the more time-efficient method for harvesting grapes. 4:
Before the wine is bottled, the gas is removed from the wine to preserve it. 5:
The vessels of old oak barrels are porous so that oxidation can occur. 6:
White wines are now more popular than red wines.
7: Inexpensive wines are usually matured in oak barrels.
8: Typically, red wines are fermented at cooler temperatures.
9: Many premium wines are matured in oak barrels.
10: Where labour is cheaper than investing in a machine, winemakers often choose to
harvest the grapes by hand. 11:
Many quality white wines are made from skinless black grapes. 12:
Destemming the grapes can also help increase temperatures. 13:
Carbon dioxide dissolves into the wine and soften the tannins. 14: In
rose wine production, the skin of the grapes is left on. 15: Red
wine production has declined in recent years because white and rose wine is cheaper.
16 Most people think that white wines are only made from white grapes.

Part 3: Discussion
1: Have you or your family ever tried wine?
2: Is wine popular in your country?
3: Is wine good for us? If so, how much and why?
4: Which kind of wine is your favourite? (Red – White – Rose)

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True – False – Not given key:

1 F – 2 T – 3 T – 4 F – 5 T – 6 NG – 7 F – 8 F – 9 T – 10 T – 11 T – 12 F – 13 F – 14 F - 15 NG – 16 T