A special form of pressing (also known as whole-cluster pressing) in which the entire grapes are pressed together with the grape cluster without prior destemming. Whole-cluster pressing is mainly used for white wines in low-acid vintages to give the wines more acidity and freshness. However, this also reduces the alcohol content and the amount of extract somewhat. The grape framework protects the berries from excessive pressing pressure. As a result, the grape seeds are less destroyed and fewer undesirable bitter tannins are released into the grape must.
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