How To Make Wine The Old Fashioned Way

Ever wondered how people made wine before all the modern equipment and technology came into play? You're in luck! In this engaging and informative article, we'll take you on a journey to discover the art of making wine the old-fashioned way. If you're a wine lover or just curious about the wine-making process, buckle up and join us as we explore this fascinating craft.

The Old-Fashioned Wine Making Process

Step 1: Harvesting the Grapes

The first step in making wine is harvesting the grapes. In the old days, grape harvesting was done manually by workers who carefully picked the grapes by hand. Timing is crucial because the grape's ripeness will ultimately affect the wine's taste, aroma, and overall quality.

Step 2: Crushing and Pressing the Grapes

Once the grapes are harvested, they are then crushed and pressed. In the old days, this was done by stomping on the grapes with bare feet in large wooden or stone containers. This process would break the skin of the grapes and release the juice, or must, which would become the base for the wine.

Step 3: Fermentation

The next step in the wine-making process is fermentation. This is when the natural yeasts present on the grape skins convert the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol. In the old-fashioned way, the grape must would be placed in open fermentation containers, usually made of wood or clay. The fermentation process could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the desired outcome of the winemaker.

Step 4: Clarification and Aging

Once the fermentation process is complete, the wine needs to be clarified and aged. In the past, the wine would be transferred to another container, leaving behind any sediments like dead yeast cells and grape skins. These would sink to the bottom of the fermentation container and would not be used in the final product.

Then, the wine would be aged in oak barrels or clay amphorae for a period of time ranging from a few months to several years. The type of container used for aging, as well as the length of time, would directly affect the taste, color, and aroma of the final wine.

Step 5: Bottling and Corking

Lastly, the aged wine would be bottled and corked. Bottles were usually made of glass and sealed with a cork, just like they are today. The cork's purpose is to allow a tiny amount of oxygen to pass through, which helps the wine develop its flavors and aroma.

How To Make Wine The Old Fashioned Way Example:

Imagine you are a winemaker in Tuscany in the 1800s. You start by carefully selecting your ripe grapes from the vineyards and place them in large wooden containers. You and your fellow winemakers take off your shoes and start stomping on the grapes, releasing the juice.

Once you've collected enough grape must, you transfer it to large open wooden barrels, where the fermentation process begins. You wait patiently for a few weeks, constantly monitoring the changing flavors and aromas. After the fermentation is complete, you transfer your wine to oak barrels for aging, letting the flavors develop over the course of a year or more.

Finally, it's time to bottle your masterpiece. Each bottle is filled with your aged wine and carefully sealed with a cork, ready to be enjoyed by wine aficionados of the time.

Now that you've learned how to make wine the old-fashioned way, you can appreciate just how much time, effort, and craftsmanship went into creating your favorite vintage. Perhaps this has inspired you to try your hand at making a small batch of homemade wine or further explore the fascinating world of wine-making history.

We hope you've enjoyed this journey into the art of old-fashioned wine making! Be sure to share this article with your wine-loving friends and explore other engaging and informative content on the Black Wine Club website.