CONTENTS
- What is the grape harvest?
- What month is the grape harvest?
- What is the importance of the grape harvest?
- How are grapes harvested?
In past articles we shared the benefits of benefits of drinking red wine Since it is one of the oldest beverages in the history of mankind, the elaboration 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, since it 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, that's why today the team of Vinos El Cielo wants to share with you all the information you need to know about the harvest at El Cielo. If you are planning to go in August or September to a vineyard for a wine tasting , you will know beforehand that you will see one of the most important and millenary processes.
What is the grape harvest?
First, we must clarify what is the grape harvestThe grape harvest is the process of collecting ripe grapes from the vine. This activity, as we mentioned before, is a crucial part of the wine industry since it marks the beginning of the grape harvesting and wine production season . In addition, harvesting grapes in the right state determines the quality and flavor of the wine.
@elcielovalledeguadalupe Live the Grape Harvest Festival ✨ Participate in the traditional grape stomping 🍇🌿, wine tasting of 1 white and 1 red wine, visit our subway cellar in a unique tour and taste a delicious 4-course paired meal at Latitud 32🤩🍴✨ Immerse yourself in the authentic Harvest experience at El Cielo.
♬ original sound - El Cielo Valle de Guadalupe
What month is the grape harvest?
Although in most wine-producing countries located in the northern hemisphere, the grapes are harvested at the end of the year. harvest The beginning of the harvest usually takes place during the fall, due to several factors that may influence the region where the vineyard is located and its climatic conditions.
What is the importance of the grape harvest?
Something we get asked a lot is why grapes are harvested in late summer and autumn. Well, it is during this period when winegrowers carefully evaluate the state of maturity of the grapes to determine the optimal time to harvest. Later we will explain in detail the importance of harvesting in the ideal time for the quality of a red or white or white wine.
How is the maturity of a grape assessed?
Winegrowers will take advantage of the harvest season to assess the ripeness of the grapes, using various techniques and tools to ensure that they are at their ideal point for production. Here are some of the most common ways to assess grape maturity:
Brix
One of the fundamental metrics for assessing maturity is the sugar content present in the grapes, which is measured by Brix, a scale used to measure the percentage of sugar in the grape must.
This is important because as the grapes ripen, the sugar content increases, which directly impacts the alcohol potential of the wine after fermentation. Higher sugar content is usually associated with richer, fuller-bodied wines.
2.- Acidity level
Likewise, grape acidity is also an essential factor, unlike sugar, as grapes ripen, acidity gradually decreases. Winemakers must determine if the acidity is at a balanced point to maintain the freshness and vitality of the wine. To know this percentage, 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.
Winemakers assess phenolic maturity, which includes measuring tannins and anthocyanins in grape skins. Soft, ripe tannins provide a pleasant texture and balanced flavor to the wine, while anthocyanins contribute to the wine's color.
4.- Flavor and texture
On the other hand, a sensory evaluation of the grapes must also be carried out, which means that winegrowers taste the grapes directly from the vine to detect changes in flavor and texture.
Ripe grapes tend to have greater sweetness, more pronounced flavors and softer skins. The winemaker's experience and knowledge 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 winemakers 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 harvest is carried out manually, where the grape harvesters pick the grapes by hand and place them in baskets or baskets.
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 of viticultural importance, but also a time of celebration and tradition in many regions, where festivals are held to commemorate the harvest.
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