A Peek Behind the Cork: How Your Wine Gets Its Groove

Yum lab
2 min readNov 28, 2023

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Harvest Hustle:

Fall aka Autumn isn’t all Pumpkins and Halloween, no. In the wine world it’s go-time for grape picking. The busiest time of year for own winemakers. The beginning of a new vintage.

Squeeze and Squeeze Again:

Ever wondered how we get that grape juice? It’s a two-step dance: crushing and pressing. Think of it as the grape’s version of hitting the juicer to get the party started.

Yeast Party:

Now, meet yeast, the cool kids of fermentation. They’re the ones turning grape sugars into alcohol. It’s the fermentation fiesta that gives your wine its unique taste and smell. This can take place in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels.

Maturation station:

The wine takes a timeout in oak barrels or stainless steel tanks. It’s like letting it chill in a fancy barrel spa. The wood adds flavors, softening the acidity and giving the wine woody, toasty notes, making your wine as complex as a Shakespearean drama.

Say Goodbye to Sediments:

Before the grand entrance, the wine gets filtered. It’s like putting it through a strainer to get rid of any leftovers. We want our wine as clear as a summer sky.

Bottling Brilliance:

Time to bottle up the magic! Each bottle is like a tiny art exhibit, holding the essence of the wine. The winemaker is the curator, carefully choosing when it’s ready for its debut.

Cork or No Cork:

To cork or not to cork? That’s the question. Some wines love the classic cork, while others go for the modern vibe. It’s all about sealing the deal with style.

Aging, Like Fine Wine:

Aging isn’t just for your grandma’s secret sauce; it’s for wine too! It’s the slow dance where the flavors get better and better, just like a good book.

Cheers to Sipping:

Finally, it’s showtime! Uncork that bottle, pour a glass, and savor the fruits of this grape adventure. Each sip is a toast to the science and art that went into making your wine. Cheers to the journey in every drop!

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Yum lab
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Food and wine science from a food scientist.