Viticulture and Wine Making Overview

The history of growing grapes ( “Viticulture”)  and making wine (“Viniculture”) is almost as old as humans themselves. It’s a process seen all over the world in all major civilizations.

Today, viticulture and winemaking are just as rewarding and well worth the effort.

Table grapes are not well suited for wine production.  So before enjoying that first glass of wine, we need to grow the wine grapes.  Grapevines for wine fall into two main groups: European grape varieties and the Hybrids.  Traditional viticulture in areas like California typically use the European varieties.  Areas with a shorter growing season are limited to the hybrid grape varieties.  Hardiness through winter and resistance to disease is bred into the hybrid grape varieties.

Next choice is between red wine or white wine.  Wine character and the growing location determine the type of grapevine best suited.  Check which grape varieties feature in professional viticulture in your area.  Grapes are perennial plants and it will be about three years before you are able to harvest your first crop.  Wine quality depends more on good grape husbandry and vineyard location rather than any great secret of vinification.

Grapevines require a suitable growing site, with access to full sunlight and nutrient-poor soil. If grapes are grown in dry, nutrient-poor soil this will stress out the vine. Stressing a vine causes it to produce small grapes.  Wine makers depend on small grapes because the skin of the grapes contains all of the color and flavor which is what you need for wine. Larger berries that are appetizing to eat contain less skin and more juice.  So, paradoxically, wine grapes grown in marginal conditions often produce the best wine.

When it is time to harvest your grapes, you will need fully ripe and disease-free grapes. Most hybrid grapes are high in acidity. Because of this, you will need to purchase chemicals from a wine-making store to bring the acidity down to suitable levels before adding yeast.

When you are ready to ferment the grapes you will have to add yeast. There are different yeasts available for your wine. They will add subtle flavors or characteristics to the wine. Fermentation takes about a week and then it is ready to age.

Aging can take several months to a few years to complete. Once the wine is crystal clear you can bottle it and the wine then sits again for a few months aging during this step also. It is also common knowledge that the longer you allow your wine to age, the better it will be. Corks and wine bottles can also be purchased from your local wine store.

This age old tradition is well worth the time and effort. When the time is right to open that first bottle made especially by you, friends and family will line to be amazed and admire your newly acquired skill.

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