 | Dr. John Brewer is a winemaker and owner of Wyldewood Cellars Winery, the largest and most awarded winery in Kansas. Dr. Brewer founded Wyldewood Cellars in 1995. He is a Ph.D. in Physics and applies high-tech principles to wine making, which has helped Wyldewood Cellars win over 120 International awards. Dr. Brewer judges at several International Wine Competitions each year. Dr. Brewer is very active re-establishing a premium wine industry in Kansas. You may contact Dr. Brewer at Wyldewood Cellars Winery, P.O. Box 205, Mulvane, KS 67110, by phone at (316) 554-WINE (9463), or by e-mail at elderwines@aol.com |
Wine & Spirits
2002-04-01 12:06:00
Wine
Question: How soon after wine is made is it wine? What happens as time passes?
Answer: Legally, wine is wine as soon as there is measurable ethyl alcohol present, which is typically within 48 hours of the start of the process. Fermentation is usually complete within six weeks. Four to six more weeks are required to settle the yeast and clarify the wine. Depending upon the tannin content of the particular fruit used and the style in which the wine is made, the aging process can take from two weeks to over twenty years. In reality, over 80% of the wine sold in the US can be consumed within four months of harvest. Wineries typically release a wine for sale when they think it is ready to be consumed unless they tell you, as for cabernets, to age it for several years, The popular information on aging of wines is full of folklore and is used mainly as a sales tool. During the aging process, oxygen chemically combines with tannins in the wine and removes them from the taste; thereby, softening the taste of the wine. With oak present, phenols and other taste components combine to form more complex flavors. The acids will breakdown with time and lessen the tartness of the wine. The ageing process takes place both in contact with oak and in the glass bottle. The best advice is to taste the wine before purchase and consume within 6 - 12 months for wines that the winery says are ready to drink now or age in your cellar for the time the winery advises. For wines that the winery suggests to age for several years, purchase one case and sample one bottle every year until it tastes the best is ever has, then drink the rest. Sweet wines will "age" but the sugar masks the changes so you will probably never taste the change. If you have wine that you don't like, letting it age for another year or ten might improve the taste, or add some sugar and sweeten it. Wine is a beverage preserved with alcohol. Its sole purpose is to taste good.
