Fermentation (wine)

Fermentation (wine)

Fermentation (wine) is a critical process in the production of wine, involving the conversion of grape sugars into alcohol by yeast. This process not only produces alcohol, but also a variety of flavors and aromas that contribute to the complexity of wine.

History

The history of wine fermentation dates back to the Neolithic period, with archaeological evidence suggesting that the earliest known production of wine occurred in what is now Georgia around 6000 BC. The process was later refined by the Ancient Egyptians and Romans, who developed more sophisticated methods of fermentation and storage.

Process

The process of wine fermentation begins with the harvesting of grapes, which are then crushed to release their juice. This juice, known as must, is then inoculated with yeast, either naturally occurring or added by the winemaker. The yeast consumes the sugars in the must, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide as byproducts. This process continues until all the sugar is consumed or the alcohol level becomes too high for the yeast to survive.

Types of Fermentation

There are several types of fermentation used in winemaking, including:

• Alcoholic fermentation: This is the primary fermentation process, where yeast converts grape sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
• Malolactic fermentation: This secondary fermentation process, often used in the production of red wine and some white wines, converts malic acid into softer-tasting lactic acid.
• Carbonic maceration: This fermentation process, used primarily in the production of Beaujolais wines, involves fermenting whole grapes in a carbon dioxide-rich environment.

Factors Influencing Fermentation

Several factors can influence the fermentation process, including the type of yeast used, the temperature at which fermentation occurs, and the composition of the must. Winemakers can manipulate these factors to produce wines with different flavors, aromas, and alcohol levels.

See Also

• Winemaking
• Yeast in winemaking
• History of wine