This refers to the process known as vinification, which includes all procedures and measures in the vineyard and cellar to produce wine from grapes. Grape varieties were cultivated and wine produced at least 6,000 to 8,000 years ago, as evidenced by plant remains found in Asia Minor and numerous ancient wine vessels and artefacts from many regions. Transcaucasia and the advanced civilisations of Mesopotamia are regarded as the cradle of wine culture. According to the latest research, however, one of the most likely ancient origins may also lie in neighbouring Turkish south-eastern Anatolia near the biblical Mount Ararat.
Origin of viticulture in Europe
However, the origins of European viticulture lie primarily in ancient Greece and on the island of Crete. Of course, this was done using quite primitive methods at the time. This complex of topics is described under the keywords Ancient wines, Ancient grape varieties and the development of wine as a "cultural asset" under Drinking culture.
Vinification
Today, vinification is generally carried out using sophisticated methods with the alternative use of additives. It is up to the winemaker to apply the "right" methods with the utmost care and hygiene or, if necessary, to do without them, and in this context one often hears and reads about "controlled idleness" or "as much as necessary and as little as possible" or non-invasive winemaking.
This refers to gentle, low-impact production by relying on gravity as much as possible when transporting grapes, must and wine, avoiding certain techniques such as filtration or fining and using as few or no substances as possible. The aim is therefore to use the 100 or so authorised agents in winemaking as correctly and sparingly as possible. In this context, traditional techniques in the production of natural wines, raw wines and orange wines have become popular again since the 1990s.
Ecology & sustainability
More and more producers are using environmentally friendly, sustainable forms of production in organic (ecological) viticulture, which strictly regulate the use of the designation organic wine under wine law and also affect not only vineyard work but also cellar technology. Some are not uncontroversial or are only common/authorised in the New World, but are prohibited for member states within the European Union.
VINEYARD CARE
The special conditions in a vineyard in connection with the tradition and art of the winemaker in the area concerned are often referred to by the French term terroir. Winemaking begins with the selection of the grape variety and also the rootstock, which is chosen on the basis of its individual characteristics, taking into account the climatic conditions and soil type wherever possible.
An absolute prerequisite for good quality is the suitability of an area/region for viticulture, for which there are a number of measurable criteria. The individual selection of the necessary work in the vineyard has a particular influence on wine quality (see also vineyard care). This is aptly described by the slogan "Quality begins in the vineyard".
CELLAR TECHNOLOGY
In contrast, many winegrowers follow the non-invasive principle described above when working in the cellar. However, just as in the vineyard, there are a variety of cellar techniques. Depending on the quality and type of wine, vinification can take a few weeks or months for simple wines, but even several years for special products such as sparkling wines(sparkling wine or champagne), dessert wines such as Madeira, port and sherry, as well as wines aged in wooden barrels, before they can be bottled and marketed. For top wines with a long shelf life or ageing potential, the process continues with bottle ageing or the ageing process. Such wines only reach their drinking maturity after many years of ageing.
TYPES OF WINE, SPARKLING WINE & DISTILLATE
Alphabetical list of all (mostly) wine, sparkling wine and distillate types regulated by wine law, whereby other drinks made from wine/fruit/grain products are also listed:
reduced-alcohol wine to wine for distilling
Calvados to young wine
Grain wine to orange wine
- Grain wine (genever): Distillate from grain mash
- Artificial wine (imitation wine): alcoholic beverage, but not wine
- Landwein: wine with a protected geographical indication = Wein g.g.A.PGI...
