4. The Harvest
Harvesting or picking is certainly the first step in the
actual wine making process.
In this step, the winemaker is harvesting the
grapes.
5. Crushing and Pressing
In this step, the grape is being crushed and
pressed, to obtain the grape juice, what is
commonly referred to as must.
6. Fermentation
In this passage, the must sugar is being converted in alcohol.
Sweet wine is produced when the fermentation process
stops before all of the sugar has been converted into
alcohol.
7. Clarification
Here, the winemakers are adding egg whites, clay,
or other compounds to wine that will help
precipitate dead yeast cells and other solids out
of a wine.
8. Aging
Aging can be done in bottle, stainless steel or ceramic
tanks, large wooden ovals, or small barrels, commonly
called barriques.
9. Bottling
The choices and techniques employed in this final stage
of the process are nearly endless, as are the end
results. After this step, the clients are tasting the wine.
