Did you know there is a lot of science behind the winemaking process? I touch on what I have learned and go over terms that were foreign to me before I started working a wine harvest. Sampling grapes is an important part of the process and harvesting the grapes at the perfect time is where the science comes in to help us.  I dive into how these different measurements affect the wine and the PH of the wine. Also, the importance and difference between alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation. It is super important to make sure the yeasts in the juice are healthy and have enough nutrients to be healthy and strong during fermentation.  Everything is explained in the simplest way possible and towards the end of the episode I open up a 2021 Malbec from Domaine Bousquet.

 

You don’t want to miss this one!  

 

 

2:50 - Science components

3:40 - Sampling grapes

5:22 - Why sampling the grapes is important

7:45 - Breaking down important terms

8:00 - What we measure to harvest grapes

8:55 - What is yield?

9:45 - Brix measurement

10:45 - Measuring the PH of wine

11:45 - TA measurement (total acidity)

12:30 - YAN measurement (yeast assimilable nitrogen)

12:45 - MA measurement (malic acid)

13:35 - Preferred PH range for winemakers

15:35 - Fermentation: two types

15:58 - Alcoholic fermentation

16:18 - Malolactic fermentation

17:05 - Feeding the yeasts for fermentation

18:18 - Timing is everything in winemaking

18:45 - Magical juice (wine) is created once the malolactic fermentation finishes

20:05 - Describe today’s wine for tasting

22:30 - Briefly explain barrels

22:33 - Gluten free wine

24:24 - Wine tasting

 

 

 

Today’s wine: Domaine Bousquet 2021 Malbec 

https://domainebousquet.com/en/wine/premium-malbec/ 

 

 

Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

 

Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale 

 

Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale