Grape Expectations
The two most famous grapes of Bordeaux, one that thrives in gravel soils, and the other in clay soils.
What are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?
The first step of the process, where grapes are picked off the vine.
What is harvest?
The soils that dominate the right bank of Bordeaux, known for producing high-quality Merlot
What is clay?
This is how alcohol is made, in just about everything.
Yeast eats sugars = CO2, Alcohol, Heat
Wines that are lighter and paler, with more acidity, and lower alcohol, tend to come from these.
What are cooler climates?
The grape most famous for its use in Brunello di Montalcino (the same grape used in Chianti, or elsewhere in Tuscany too). In Brunello, the wine is dense, with high acid and tannins, and flavors of cherries, leather, violets, a full body, and lots of aging potential.
What is Sangiovese?
After the grapes are brought to the facility, they go through these two steps. Both of these are optional, though the first one is recommended if you want to maintain the quality of your wines, and the other if you want to prioritize fruitier and softer flavors, just from the grapes themselves.
What are sorting and destemming?
The soils known for the left bank of Bordeaux, best at producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon
What is Gravel?
A second fermentation that happens in all red wines (and some whites, like Chardonnay) known for producing creamy, buttery flavors. Bacteria converts malic acid into lactic acid.
What is malolactic fermentation?
Wines that are high alcohol, juicy, with deeper colors and riper fruit flavors come from these climates.
What are warm climates?
These two grapes are the most famous of Burgundy (and, maybe, the world).
What are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?
For white wines, you do this almost immediately, but for red wines, you like to let the wines macerate for a while (sometimes during fermentation)
What is pressing?
Water retaining, and the least heat retaining, makes this soil great for dense, bold wines with lots of color. Also great for pottery?
What is Clay?
Most sparkling wines, before they become sparkling, start off as one of these, which typically has a lot of acidity (maybe too much!)
What is a base wine?
I'm the most famous region in Germany, known for high-quality Riesling production.
What is the Mosel Valley?
The most famous grape of Barolo, known for high acidity, high tannins, and really delicious red wines with notes of raspberry, roses, tar, and licorice.
What is Nebbiolo?
The next step involves the magic of a Yeast Feast! When that's done, for reds (and some whites) perhaps a second one of these will happen to convert malic acid into lactic acid.
What is fermentation?
What is malolactic fermentation (second fermentation)?
Elegant, delicate, and smooth wines come from this soil. It retains heat well, and drains extremely well, making it great for wetter climates. Beach vacation, anyone?
What is Sand?
This method of making sparkling wine, wherein a base wine undergoes a second alcoholic fermentation in a bottle, which is later disgorged, injected with a bit of dosage (sometimes) and then re-corked. Most famous for the wines of Champagne, dominated by brioche and often suitable for aging.
What is Traditional or Classic Method? AKA Methode Champenoise
I'm the most famous region in California for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
What is Napa Valley?
The pride and joy of Rioja, known for deep and rustic wines with a lot of color. Even the old makers of Bordeaux approve!
What is Tempranillo?
After everything is done, you want your wines to rest in some sort of vessel, be it oak or stainless steel or concrete. Later, maybe you want to do this in bottle too!
What is aging?
Known for wines of elegance, acidity, and "compact" intense structure. Most famous for Burgundy, but by its name, also sounds good in a Margarita?
What is Limestone?
In this type of sparkling winemaking, a base wine undergoes a second alcoholic fermentation in a large vessel (like a stainless steel tank) and is later bottled under pressure. This makes wines like Prosecco, fruity and fresh!
What is Charmat/Martinotti Method? AKA Tank Method
A fortified wine, made in the Douro Valley and most famously drank in Porto
What is Port?