It’s not just the grapes that contribute towards the flavours and textures in wine. Wine is said to be more complex than human blood, which means there’s a lot more to a glass of wine than fermented grape juice.
Soil and climate
Deciding on the taste of wine starts with where the vineyards are planted. The climate of the area and the soil in which the vines grow have everything to do with the kinds of grapes they will yield. For example, warmer climates give way to sweeter, more acidic grapes than those grown in a cooler area. For wineries specialising in sweet wines like late harvests, a warmer climate is ideal.
Picking
If the winemaker wants a mellow, subdued wine, it helps to pick the grapes a little early. Leaving them to ripen properly will ensure the wine benefits from the full flavours of the ripe grapes. For sweet wines, the winemaker will leave them to rot so that the water evaporates and the grape juices sweeten naturally.
Blending
Once the wine is processed, the winemaker might mix it with different wines to achieve the flavour he or she wants. This is known as blending. The principle wine is blended with other wines that feature different characteristics and change the make-up of the principle wine. Strong wines give weaker wine backbone and more flavour. Weaker wines mellow the tannins and acids of more robust wines, making them easier to drink.
Additives
In addition to blending, winemakers also make use of a variety of additives to change the taste of wine. Additives are mainly used to correct imbalances, so if the wine isn’t sweet enough, the winemaker adds more sugar. If it needs a spike in acidity, a dose of acid is added. Additives help the winemaker manipulate the flavour of the wine until it meets the winemaker’s specifications.
Start experiencing a new world of taste adventures at BoutiqueWineries.com.au. Shop online for the finest award-winning wines from the best boutique wineries.
Besides the natural elements being exactly right, the winemaker makes sure that the chemical balance is also spot-on. A winemaker’s aim is to achieve the perfectly balanced wine with the right flavours in the right doses.
Visit these boutique wineries to grow your knowledge of boutique wine and boutique wineries:
