A glass of wine is always a welcome treat after a stressful day. Or, it could be the perfect pairing to a luxurious meal. However, it must be understood that not all wines are created equal.
Though one can say that the higher the price might mean better tasting wine, that is not always the case. And while everyone’s taste in wine may vary, there are certain factors that make some wines a step above others.
Winemaking is not just luck. You don’t just plant grapes and expect premium quality wine like acker wines. It takes skill; winemaking, after all, is a science. It’s about having quality base ingredients and good timing. Of course, many winemakers have their own unique skills that they use to produce something that will beat their competitors.
That being said, here are some of the factors that contribute to great wine.
- The quality of the grapes – If you want quality products you need to start with quality ingredients. Grapes are the central ingredients in wine. There are so many grape varieties all over the world. You must know that each of these variants will produce a different wine. It won’t vary just in taste, but also in color and even smell. You should know what kind of want you want to produce and what kind of grapes will produce them.
- The conditions of the location – Aside from the ingredients, the taste of the wine will also be affected by the conditions of the location. Even the slope of the vineyard and its direction have an effect. Another thing is the climate of the place and the properties of the soil. When the grapes are grown in a cooler climate, there is a higher acidity in the wine, but it has lower sugar and alcohol. Hotter climates meanwhile will produce wines that have a fuller body. The weather can also greatly influence the wine and there have been instances where even locations that have been known to produce good vintage might have a bad year because of the weather.
- The timing of the harvest – Timing is also very important in the winemaking process. Winemakers are very skilled because they know when is the perfect time to harvest the grapes. The time of the harvesting will influence the sweetness of the grapes, and also the acidity and alcohol.
- The skill of the winemaker – While nature greatly influences how the grapes turn out, a great wine also depends on the winemaker too. After the harvest, winemakers have different ways of processing the wine. Some develop their own processes that make their own wine unique from so many others. From the yeast that was used, the fermentation process (including the extraction process and the temperature) will all have an effect on the taste of the wine. Of course, there is also the aging process, some would prefer stainless steel tanks or even concrete, while others would still like to use oak.
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