How is wine made?

There are five main stages in the winemaking process: harvesting, crushing, fermentation, clarification, and ageing.

The magic starts when the grapes are harvested. In the Northern Hemisphere, grapes are generally harvested between August and October, depending on the grape variety and location of the vineyard.

Once the grapes have been harvested, they are crushed.  This can be done by hand, or with the help of a machine. The crushed grapes (known as must) are then transferred to a fermentation vessel, where yeast is added.

The yeast consumes the sugars in the grape must and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. This process of fermentation can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, dependent on the grapes being used and the type of wine.

After fermentation, the next stage of the winemaking process is clarification.  The newly made wine is racked (poured off) into another vessel, leaving behind the sediment that has settled at the bottom of the fermentation vessel.

The final stage of winemaking is ageing. The wine is typically aged in either barrels or bottles. During this time, the wine undergoes a chemical reaction known as oxidation, which causes it to develop deeper flavours and aromas. Red wines are typically aged for longer periods of time than white wines.

So next time you sit down to enjoy a glass of our delicious red, wonderful white, stunning pink or white sparkling or delicate rosé, think about the process that it’s been through, from vine to glass!

Why not try a fresh red, a crisp white, a spectacular rose or something sparkling. https://slimlinewine.com/shop/