How you go about making wine from grapes depends on the class of grape you are going to use (see "Grape Classifications").
Some grapes will require only a little dilution with water to get its sharp acidic flavor under control. Others will require none at all. Then there are some that may require as much as three gallons of water for every 5 gallons of wine, such as in the case with many wild grapes. Not only does the high acid level of the wild grapes require dilution but their excessive, strong flavor demands it as well.
Sugar may need to be added to the juice in some cases. Sugar is what the yeast ferments to make alcohol. When the fermentation is done the sugar is gone. When there is not enough sugar for the yeast, there will not be enough alcohol in the wine.
Certainly in the case of wild grapes sugar will be in short supply and marginally so with some native wine grapes. Sugar will need to be added to these mixes. But, in the case of European wine grapes only rarely is sugar needed.
The point here is that making grape wine is not necessarily about following a recipe, but rather, going through a procedure of adjustments based on the juice that is at hand. The situation can vary dramatically based on the grape so to apply a recipe to all grapes or even a class of grape is not practical.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
GRAPE CLASSIFICATIONS
For the purpose of wine making you can classify grapes into three distinct groups:
Native Wild Grapes (Vitis Muscadinia): These are grapes such as Muscadine (Scuppernong), Fox and Frost grape. They are extremely sharp tasting due to their high acid content and have a strong assertive to pungent flavor and aroma. They are also lower in sugar than other grapes. This class of grape can be distinguished from others by the fact they do not grow in clusters, but rather, as separate berries.
Native Wine Grapes (Vitis Lambrusca): These are grapes such as Concord, Catawba, Niagara and Delaware. They are indigenous to the North American continent. While their flavor and aroma are not excessive like that of the wild grapes, their acidity level can be a little on the high side making the juice slightly too sharp tasting. Their sugar level is also much higher than that of wild grapes.
European Wine Grapes (Vitis Vinifera): These are grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Chardonnay and many others that were brought over from Europe. Hybrid grapes such as Reliance, Foch, Chambourcin and Vignoles are also considered to be in this group. Only on occasion are these grapes too sharp or acidic in flavor and their sugar content is generally higher than that of native wine grapes and much higher than that of wild grapes.
Native Wild Grapes (Vitis Muscadinia): These are grapes such as Muscadine (Scuppernong), Fox and Frost grape. They are extremely sharp tasting due to their high acid content and have a strong assertive to pungent flavor and aroma. They are also lower in sugar than other grapes. This class of grape can be distinguished from others by the fact they do not grow in clusters, but rather, as separate berries.
Native Wine Grapes (Vitis Lambrusca): These are grapes such as Concord, Catawba, Niagara and Delaware. They are indigenous to the North American continent. While their flavor and aroma are not excessive like that of the wild grapes, their acidity level can be a little on the high side making the juice slightly too sharp tasting. Their sugar level is also much higher than that of wild grapes.
European Wine Grapes (Vitis Vinifera): These are grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Chardonnay and many others that were brought over from Europe. Hybrid grapes such as Reliance, Foch, Chambourcin and Vignoles are also considered to be in this group. Only on occasion are these grapes too sharp or acidic in flavor and their sugar content is generally higher than that of native wine grapes and much higher than that of wild grapes.
INTRODUCTION TO WINE MAKING WITH GRAPES
Whether the grapes come from the local vineyard or your own backyard, you can make impressive grape wines with remarkable flavor, body and character. Tremendous wines that are worthy of recognition by friends and family.
And what's more, you can create these bottles of wine for a fraction of what they would cost you at the store, and if the grapes are just sitting in your backyard, waiting to be picked--then that's a heck of a deal.
So, go right ahead and dive into the interesting and rewarding hobby of wine making. By doing so you will be joining the thousands of happy people who make and enjoy their own wines with pride.
A very good book on the subject of wine making with grapes is From Vines To Wines. Not only does this book cover wine making, but it also covers the vineyard aspect as well. For a clearer understanding of grape wine making this is the book to get.
And what's more, you can create these bottles of wine for a fraction of what they would cost you at the store, and if the grapes are just sitting in your backyard, waiting to be picked--then that's a heck of a deal.
So, go right ahead and dive into the interesting and rewarding hobby of wine making. By doing so you will be joining the thousands of happy people who make and enjoy their own wines with pride.
A very good book on the subject of wine making with grapes is From Vines To Wines. Not only does this book cover wine making, but it also covers the vineyard aspect as well. For a clearer understanding of grape wine making this is the book to get.
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