Harvest (wine)

Harvest (wine)

The Harvest in the context of wine refers to the process of picking and collecting grapes from the vineyard for the purpose of winemaking. This is a critical stage in the winemaking process as the time of harvest can significantly affect the quality and style of the wine produced.

Timing of the harvest

The timing of the harvest is determined by the ripeness of the grape as measured by sugar, acid and tannin levels. This decision can be influenced by weather, disease pressure, and the winemaker's personal style. In some countries, such as France and Italy, winemakers are legally required to wait until a certain date to begin the harvest.

Harvest methods

There are two main methods of harvesting grapes: hand picking and machine harvesting. Hand picking is often preferred for high quality wines as it allows for more selective picking and less damage to the grape. Machine harvesting is faster and less labor intensive, but can result in more damage to the grapes and potential inclusion of non-grape material.

Post-harvest processing

After the grapes are harvested, they are transported to the winery where they are sorted and destemmed. The grapes are then crushed and the juice is fermented to produce wine. The length of fermentation and the type of vessel used can vary depending on the style of wine being produced.

Harvest festivals

In many wine producing regions, the end of the harvest is celebrated with a harvest festival. These festivals often include music, food, and wine tasting events.

See also

• Viticulture
• Winemaking
• Vineyard