The Vintner's Vocabulary

 

However you decide to get into winemaking, be it a kit, some fruit from your garden, or any of the endless possibilities there are some things you're going to have to know beyond the basic "juice + yeast + time = wine". 

When you join a community like ours, wine clubs locally or just want to learn from other winemakers in your day to day activities you're going to need to learn the vocabulary. The difference between some terms is so minimal seeming but can lead to the success or failure of not just your wine, but your ability to communicate about your wine. Today we're taking a closer look at the most frequently used terms and expressions that make usallbetterwinemakers. 

Acid Blend - This is a blend of the primary acids found in fruit. Acid blend can contain any two or three of the primary acids (tartaric acid, citric acid and malic acid) in any quantity. Acid blend can be store bought or self made bythehomewinemaker.

Bentonite - Clay additive used before fermentation and after. It provides nucleation sites for the yeast during primary fermentation. It also makes the wine clearer and more stable by removing the protein haze and undesirable particles from a finished wine in a very short period of time.

Benzoate - yeastinhibitor(blueberry'shavethemnaturally)

Bucket You want non colored FOOD GRADE buckets.

 

Fining agent Organic or inorganic compound added at end of fermentation to clarify and to change colour, odour, flavour and stability.

Fining Agents - Usually bentonite, gelatin or isinglas, which are natural agents that are added to wine to accelerate the settling or clearing process.

F-Pak - Flavor Pack. Usually a concentrated juice of the original fruit ingredients or similar. Can also be simple syrup, honey, or other flavorings added once fermentation is complete. Sorbate and K-meta should be added prior to any F-Pak to prevent secondary fermentation.

 

K-Meta Is Potassium Metabisulfite(see below) Normal usage is 1/8 tsp to 1/4 tsp for 6 gallon recipe in must 24 hours before adding yeast. Add 1/4 tsp for 6 gallons after fermentation for preservation. Use 3 tbls per gallon of water for sanitation of equipment ( AKA Campden tablets in solid form)

Lees - The spent yeast cells and fruit solids that accumulate on the bottom of winemaking vessels

Must Freshly pressed fruit juice. First step in wine making.

NA-Meta - Is Sodium Metabisulfite. Normal usage is 1/8 tsp to 1/4 tsp per 6 gallon recipe in must 24 hours before adding yeast. Add 1/4 tsp for 6 gallons after fermentation for preservation. Use 3 tbls per gallon of water for sanitation of equipment ( AKA Campden tablets in solid form)

Pectic Enzyme A liquid or powder that is added to crushed fruit to increase juice extraction. Also added to juice prior to fermentation to enhance the clarification process. The powdered form can be stored for a longer time before losing its strength.

Pomace - The solid materials left over from the fruit in winemaking or juicing. Such as the pulp in orange juice or spent fruit in a fruit sack left over after fermentation.

Potassium Metabisulfite Added 24 hour before adding yeast. This is to destroy any wild molds and bacteria that may have been on the fruit. Also added after fermentation to reduce oxidation (which will affect the color and flavour of the wine). Used in stronger doses with water as an equipment sanitizer.

Potassium Sorbate - Sometimes called "Wine Stabilizer", is added to finished wines before bottling to reduce the possibility of re-fermentation.

Primary Fermenter - A bucket or a larger glass or stainless steel vessel.

Racking - To transfer a liquid from one vessel to another. Normally done to remove the wine from the lees. Part of the clearing process.

Specific Gravity (S.G.) - In winemaking this is a number which tells the amount of sugar content in a must or wine. A common starting SG is around 1.080-1.100, but not always. An common ending 'dry' SG would be around .992-.995.

Yeast Energizer - Supplies the wine yeast with much needed nitrogen, but from a wider range of nutrients than just phosphate. Energizer contains over a dozen yeast extractive proteins, along with B1 Vitamin, and di-ammonium phosphate. All are valuable sources of nitrogen. Good to use when must derivative is unlike grapes.

 

Yeast Starter Method of re-hydrating and activating yeast and accustoms it to the must prior to fermentation

If you would like to help add to the knowledge base follow this link now and add your wine term. I will be updating the original post and publishing follow ups including new additions to the Vintner's Vocabulary list.