The Basics on How Wines Are Made

In its crudest form wine making is quite simple and a work of nature. One simply has to pick a large quantity of grapes and place them in a large enough container that does not leak. Then use something clean to crush the grapes to let out the juice. Once all the juice is let out, allow it to stand for a few hours to days or months. So really when we look at it, anybody can make wine. The process of waiting after crushing the grapes is what is known as fermentation. What is actually happening is that yeast is released after the grapes are squeezed. When the yeast comes into contact with the sugar in the grape juice it turns the juice into wine after a period of time. Alcohol takes the place of the sugar. So the sweeter the grapes will be the more alcohol in the wine.

However, even as simple as making wine seems, men do a little more to ensure that the wine has a particular texture, taste and color. The choices of container size and type (whether steel or oak),temperature at which grape juice ferments and length of time wine is then allowed to mature all decides these qualities. But the biggest factor that decides the taste and quality of the wine is the grapes used to make the wine. There are different varieties of grapes, such as, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Each variety and grape type, (whether white or red grapes), influences the taste of the wine. Soil type and region plays a major role in grape sweetness and therefore wine taste as well.

Each wine drinker has their preference of which wines they prefer. Some like rich reds or creamy whites or maybe sweet pinks. The fermentation process produces different types of red, white and pink wines. White grapes are grapes that are green, greenish yellow, golden yellow, or pinkish yellow in color. Red grapes are grapes that are dark red to bluish purple in color. White grapes are used to make white wine and red grapes are used to make white wine. Although there are instances, such as in the making of some champagnes), that red grapes are used instead of white grapes to make white wine. In this instance only the juice from red grapes are used. Because the juice from red grapes are generally colorless it will not affect the color of the wine.

Depending on the type of grapes used your white or red wine will have a different taste. White wines may be light and crisp, (little or no sweetness), dry and full bodied, or creamy and rich. White wines are yellow or golden in color and may even be as pale as water. Red wines are purple red, ruby red, or garnet in color. What causes red wine to be red is the amount of time juice from red grapes stay in contact with the grape skins in fermentation. Pink wines get their color from the small amount of time the juice spends in contact with the grape skins. Pink wines are usually sweet, although there are some dry ones. The contact between the grape skins and the juice also produces a substance called tannin. Tannin is important to the taste of red wines and most distinguishes the difference between the taste of red and white wines. Red wines may be light and fruity, earthy and spicy, full bodied and bold or smooth and medium bodied.

The choice of whether to drink white, red or pink wines will depend on mood, occasion and type of food being eaten. White wines are served before a meal or at parties. A good Pinot Grigio is great chilled during warm weathers. Red wines are consumed with a meal or when in the mood to have a relaxing evening by yourself. Reds are great with lots of food and dishes. There are red wines that are even considered to be “dessert wines” that are sweet, dark and delicious. These wines can be drunk by themselves or with your favorite chocolate or fruit desserts. Red wines should be served at room temperature, neither cool or too warm. Pink wines can be used interchangeably with whites. If you are not a hardcore wine drinker then a sweet pink wine will be nicer for you.