| Have you ever wondered how a simple grape can | | | | 4. After the fermentation process the wine must |
| go from being fresh and sweet on the vine to | | | | be stabilized by lowering the temperature. The |
| ending up as one of the most sought after drinks | | | | liquid is brought down to a level near freezing and |
| in the world? The secret is in the process of wine | | | | kept there for two weeks. This allows for the |
| making. There is more to it than just crushing | | | | removal of the wine crystals which are suspended |
| grapes and bottling the juice, there are ten main | | | | in the liquid. |
| steps in the wine making process: | | | | 5. Next the wine is allowed to ferment for three |
| | | | to six months. During this time tests are |
| 1. First, the grapes must be picked from the vine. | | | | completed to insure that the wine has the correct |
| This is either done by hand or with special farm | | | | bacteria level and is fermenting properly. |
| equipment. | | | | 6. Before bottling the wine it must first be clarified |
| 2. Next the grapes are pressed and/or crushed to | | | | to clean out any particles, from microscopic to |
| separate the flesh, the skin, and the juice. This | | | | large, that might ruin the wine. |
| part of the process will depend on the wine being | | | | 7. The next step is to mix or blend two or more |
| made. Some wines, such as red wine, require the | | | | wines in order to achieve the perfect taste. |
| grapes to be crushed and then pressed to | | | | 8. Once the wine is free of anything that could |
| remove the juice. However, white wines are | | | | spoil it, and mixed to the appropriate taste, |
| usually just pressed to minimize the contact of | | | | preservatives are added to keep the liquid fresh. |
| the juice with the skin. | | | | 9. The wine is now ready to be bottled and |
| 3. Yeast is added to the mixture so that it can | | | | sealed. |
| ferment. During fermentation the yeast feasts on | | | | 10. Finally, the wine is laid to rest until it is time for |
| the sugar and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide | | | | shipment and consumption. |
| as by-products. The carbon dioxide will cause the | | | | The eleventh, unofficial step, is to enjoy that glass |
| skins to rise to the top of the vat where they | | | | of wine even more now that you understand the |
| are removed. | | | | wine making process. |