CHAPTER 9
Even though it may seem an idyllic pursuit, wine production is an industrial process that aims to deliver a product as polished as possible into the market place. There are many ways of making wine; some wineries are committed to minimal intervention, whilst others use various techniques, additives and treatments to produce high quality wines. Some of these techniques are applied throughout the whole winemaking process, from beginning to end: rectification (reverse osmosis, de-alcoholization, addition of tannins, enzymes to develop aroma), sulphites and the use of inert gases. All are examples of techniques that winemakers master to enable them to create their ideal wine.
This chapter ends with a review of the different winemaking vessels, considering the impact of each on the final result.
