Grape harvest: what it is, a brief introduction
CONTENT
- What is grape harvest?
- In which month is the grape harvest?
- What is the importance of grape harvesting?
- How are grapes harvested?
In past articles we shared the benefits of drinking red wine Since it is one of the oldest drinks in the history of mankind, the production process has been improved to bring us our favorite wines and all kinds of advantages.
In Mexico, the months of August and September play a fundamental role in this process, as this is precisely when the grape harvest begins, one of the most important phases for the production of red wine, white wine, rosé wine and sparkling wine.
Although it is an essential process, not many people know what it is, so today the team at Vinos El Cielo wants to share with you all the information you need to know about the grape harvest at El Cielo . If you are planning to go to a vineyard in August or September for a wine tasting, you will know in advance that you will see one of the most important and ancient processes.
What is grape harvest?
First, we must clarify what grape harvesting is . Grape harvesting is the process of collecting ripe grapes from the vine . This activity, as we mentioned, is a crucial part of the wine industry as it marks the beginning of the grape harvest season and wine production. In addition, harvesting grapes in the correct state determines the quality and flavor of the wine.
@elcielovalledeguadalupe Experience the Grape Harvest Festival! ✨ Participate in the traditional grape stomping 🍇🌿, wine tasting 1 White and 1 Red, get to know our underground cellar on a unique tour and savor a delicious 4-course pairing meal at Latitud 32🤩🍴✨ Immerse yourself in the authentic Grape Harvest experience at El Cielo
♬ original sound - The Sky of the Valley of Guadalupe
In which month is the grape harvest?
Although in most wine producing countries located in the northern hemisphere, the harvest begins in September , the beginning of the harvest usually takes place during the fall , because there are several factors that can influence it, such as the region where the vineyard is located and its climatic conditions.
What is the importance of grape harvesting?
One of the questions we often get is why grapes are harvested in late summer and autumn. Well, it is during this period that winegrowers carefully evaluate the ripeness of the grapes to determine the optimal time to harvest . Later on, we will explain in detail the importance of harvesting at the ideal time for the quality of a red or white wine .
How is the ripeness of a grape evaluated?
Winegrowers will take advantage of the harvest season to assess the ripeness of their grapes, using various techniques and tools to ensure they are at their ideal point for production. Below, we will show you some of the most common ways to assess grape ripeness:
1.- Brix
One of the fundamental metrics for evaluating ripeness is the sugar content present in the grapes . To know this , the Brix is used, a scale used to measure the percentage of sugar in grape must .
This is important because as grapes ripen, the sugar content increases, which directly impacts the alcohol potential of the wine after fermentation. Higher sugar content is often associated with richer, fuller-bodied wines.
2.- Acidity level
Likewise, the acidity of the grape is also an essential factor, unlike sugar, as the grapes ripen, the acidity gradually decreases. Winegrowers must determine if the acidity is at a balanced point to maintain the freshness and vitality of the wine. To know this percentage, the grapes can be tasted or tested in laboratories.
3.- Phenolic maturity
In addition to sugar and acidity, phenolic compounds in grapes are critical to the flavor profile, color and structure of wine.
Winegrowers assess phenolic ripeness , which includes measuring the tannins and anthocyanins in the skins of grapes. Soft, ripe tannins provide a pleasant texture and balanced flavor to the wine, while anthocyanins contribute to the color of the wine.
4.- Flavor and texture
On the other hand, a sensory evaluation of the grapes must also be carried out, this means that the winegrowers taste the grapes directly from the vine to detect changes in flavor and texture.
Ripe grapes tend to have greater sweetness, more pronounced flavours and softer skins. The experience and knowledge of the winemaker are essential to identify these subtle changes and make informed decisions about the right time to harvest.
These are just some of the techniques used by winegrowers to select the best grapes during the harvest and produce our favorite red wine .
How are grapes harvested?
Once the grapes are selected by the winegrowers, they are harvested; traditionally, the grape harvest is carried out manually , where the grape pickers collect the grapes by hand and place them in baskets or hampers.
However, nowadays, mechanized techniques are also used in certain areas to speed up the harvesting process.
As you can see, the grape harvest is not only important for winemaking, but is also a time of celebration and tradition in many regions, where festivals are held to commemorate the harvest.
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