Wine Introduction
An extract of the original document…
Wine components analysis
Wine is a very complex product; its components are more than 600 and from these depend the final product ’s organoleptic characters in all the different typologies.
Factors influencing the result of the final product:
- Species of vine
- Soil composition
- Climate
- Micro-climate of the area and of the vineyard (orientation of the latter)
- Vineyard system and vine pruning
- Correct estimation of the best harvesting time
- Techniques and tools applied to the production
- Maturing, refining and ageing.
In order to achieve a good final result, it is advisable that all factors contribute equally. If any of them is not able to do so, the final result might be more or less compromised. The origin of the wine components is of a different nature.
Some are already found in the grapes:
Water – poly–phenols, sugars, acids, etc.
Others are formed during the different phases of production (from pressing to maturing):
- Alcohols: (ethylic, glycerol, superior alcohols, etc.)
- Acids: (lactic, succinic, acetic,etc.)
- Ethers–aldehydes –acetyls-carbon dioxide – etc..
Other elements are found in the musts but they diminish or they altogether disappear during the different phases of production:
- Sugars: transformed into alcohol by the yeasts
- Aminoacids and ammonium salts: used by the yeasts for reproduction purposes
- malic acid: transformed into lactic acid by the lactic bacteria
- Yeasts and bacteria: first inhibited, they subsequently die
In the vineyard system (plantation system) there are some factors that can improve grape quality.
They can be classified as follows:
Climate
Vine plant wants mild weather conditions with few rains during its blooming and ripening. Good weather conditions can give to the final products positive characteristics.
Ground
Some information about the soil: qualities of grapes depend even on ground where they are planted and by its sun exposure. Grounds that are generally argillaceous are more suitable for red grapes, that are more persistent smell sesnsations, richness in alcohol, softness. Calcareous grounds give to wines good color, persistent smell good structure and good presence of alcohol and they are of thin quality. A sunny and airy hill (south-east exposure) with good thermal ranges and without humidity and water stagnations is the most suitable habitat for vine and so for a wholesome grape rich in sugars and high acid level.
To be continued…
