Q & A
What is ‘Sotolon’?
‘Sotolon’ is a compound (3-hydroxy-4,5-dimentyl-2(5H)-furanone) that is an essential component of the spice fenugreek and can be found in a wide range of products from botrytized wines to roasted tobacco…
Intermediate
Understanding the role of Schist soils in Viticulture
Schist is a large group of coarsely crystalline metamorphic rocks (flaky appearance) that can be split into thin layers because their micaceous minerals have become aligned. These soils have the particularity of being able to store heat during the day and release it at night, which influences the maturity of the grapes and the growth of the vine. In addition, their friability allows the roots of the vine to be able to draw nutrients deep in the soil…
Q & A
What is ‘scion’ in viticulture?
A ‘scion’, in viticulture, is the piece of the fruiting vine that is grafted on to the quite separate rootstock. When grown, such a plant will have the leaves and desired fruit of one vine variety (Cabernet Sauvignon for example), but the roots of another variety, rootstock (110 Richter, for example)…
Q & A
Understanding the Saperavi grape variety
Saperavi is a distinctive red wine grape variety from Georgia known for adding color and acidity to a blend. As a single-varietal wine, it needs long bottle ageing to develop its full potential. The Saperavi grape has a black skin and deep pink flesh, which gives it a lot in common with Teinturier grape varietals. It matures slowly, produces little, and is well acclimated to the harsh Russian winters…
Q & A
What are the main 10 styles of wine
All the wines produced around the world can be grouped into the following 9 categories…
Q & A
What is the role of Polysaccharides in a wine?
Polysaccharides are in fact carbohydrates composed of several simple sugar molecules bonded together. They can be found in all wines…
Q & A
Understanding Tannins Polymerization
Smaller molecules join together during the molecular process of polymerization to generate bigger ones. Simple amino acids combine, or polymerize, into very long chains to form proteins, some of which serve as enzymes, in all living things.
Q & A
What is ‘protein profiling’?
A recently created method called “protein profiling” employs mass spectrometry to pinpoint the grape variety or types in unfined juice or wine. The protein that is produced in the grapes after veraison serves to distinguish varieties. These proteins are relatively stable in juice and wine, unlike DNA…
Q & A
Understanding the Prosecco grape variety
Prosecco is a white grape variety indigenous to the Veneto area of northeastern Italy. The DOC for this wine is Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, and it is made west of the township of Conegliano along the Piave river…
Q & A
What is ‘protected viticulture’?
Protected viticulture is a method of cultivating vines that shields the plants from extreme climatic conditions to reduce stress…