Wine making is a process that has been around for thousands of years. It is not just an art; it is also a science that requires a lot of expertise and knowledge. Every little deviation in the process can have a negative impact on the final product. So, it is essential to follow all the steps step by step to make sure that you are doing it right.
The first step in making wine is harvesting the grapes from the vineyard. This is a very important step because it determines the sweetness and the acidity of the wine. It is also very important to take care of the weather as it can affect the entire process. So, it is crucial to harvest the grapes at the right time.
Now that you have harvested the fruit, it is time to crush and press them into a crock. This will help in extracting the juice of the fruit and also helps in getting rid of all the grit that can be present.
After crushing the fruit, you need to mix the grapes with a certain amount of sugar and yeast. The yeasts will help in fermenting the grapes and converting them into alcohol. The sugar is used as a source of energy for the yeasts to work on.
Once the fruit is mixed, you need to wait for it to ferment for a few weeks. This will allow the yeast to break down the grapes and make the wine more tasty.
You need to make sure that the fermentation is taking place in the proper direction, so it is advisable to add some water or some other liquid in order to keep the process going. This will prevent the grapes from rotting.
When the wine is ready, it is time to rack it into another container. You need a bottling siphon or some other device in order to rack the wine. This will ensure that the wine is not being agitated by other things, and it will also ensure that the wine does not get contaminated by bacteria that can occur during the racking process.
After racking, you need to let the wine sit for a while before you can pour it into bottles. This will ensure that the wine does not become oxidized and will help in preserving it from the harmful effects of UV light.
The next step in the process is to filter out the remaining sediment from the wine. You will need a food grade plastic tubing or some other apparatus in order to do this.
Once the filtered wine is ready, you need to pour it into bottles in order to make it more attractive. It is advisable to fill the bottles to within half an inch of the cork bottom so that there is still space for the cork.
After you have poured the wine into the bottles, it is advisable to store the bottles in a dark place as this will help in keeping the wine fresh for a longer period of time. This will help in retaining the wine’s original taste and flavor for a long period of time.