White Wine Making 101

Although the dining rules whether to sip red orsub-zero temperature to remove the crystals
white is a bit more complicated, the differencesthat will form after fermentation. Although the
between the processes are almost none. The firstcrystals are harmless, it will not look pretty when
difference between the process of making redthe wine is served.
wine and white wine making is the color of theAging
grapes used and what parts of the grapes areWhite wine also requires an aging period, but
crushed or pressed.takes less time involved in red wine making.
The fruitThere is also an additional fermentation process
For white wine, the most commonly used grapesadded in aging. Instead of yeast, a special
are the greens, the yellows or the golden ones.bacterium is mixed in which causes malolactic
Though one may use red grapes but will involve afermentation. This process tones down the malic
more difficult process because the skin must beacid present in wine and turns it into lactic acid,
totally removed. The grapes are crushed,giving it a softer taste rather than a strong acidic
preferably without the skin and stems as theseone. Red wines do not usually undergo this
add a tannic taste to the wine which is a no-noprocess. The lactic acid, being a building block of
for such wines.milk, gives the wine a creamy or buttery taste.
The processFiltering
The process is basically the same. Yeast is addedWhite wine is filtered properly and well before it is
at least twenty four hours after the grapes arebottled. This wine is unsightly when it is cloudy. It
crushed into what is called the must. And thelooks best when it is crystal clear.
fermentation process takes at least a week toNow that you are aware of the white wine
three whole weeks. Sanitation is still a very bigmaking process, you should start learning how to
issue with wine making.serve white wine and when. It is best served
Cold processchilled, not cold, and in narrow glasses to
The fermentation process of white wine involvesconcentrate the scent and for light meals or
a cooler atmosphere than in red wine making.snacks.
Also after fermentation, the wine is frozen to a