Winemaking
Vinification in Tanks: A Know-How Between Tradition and Innovation
A great wine always begins with beautiful grapes , from an exceptional terroir and meticulous work in the vineyard. But once the harvest is over, a new adventure begins: that of winemaking . This delicate and complex process begins as soon as the grapes arrive at the winery and ends with bottling. This is where the winemaker's experience and the oenologist's expertise come into play, combining proven techniques and strategic choices to reveal all the richness of the vintage.
Every decision made during the winemaking process influences the character of the wine : from the duration of maceration to the choice of containers, each step contributes to shaping its identity. This is the image that we often associate with the oenologist in his cellar, patiently tasting, analyzing and guiding the evolution of his wines, in a subtle balance between science and art .
The Cellar: Heart of the Winemaking Process
The winery is the place where the transformation of grapes into wine takes place. Depending on the winemaking method chosen, this process can last from a few weeks to several months, or even several years.
The main stages of red wine vinification:
- Crushing and destemming : separation of the stalks (stems) from the berries to avoid bitterness and promote the extraction of aromas.
- Fermentation in vats : natural or selected yeasts transform the sugars in the grapes into alcohol, thus revealing the aromatic palette of the wine.
- Pressing : recovery of the juice by pressing the fermented berries.
- Storage and aging : the wine is placed in vats or barrels to refine its structure and develop its complexity.
- Bottling : final stage before marketing and tasting.
For white wines , the process differs slightly, since pressing occurs before fermentation, the berries not being left in contact with the juice.
Each step can be carried out using different techniques , influencing the style and structure of the wine. The choice of container, in particular, plays a crucial role in the evolution of the wine during aging.
The Vats: Pillar of Breeding and Winemaking
While wine lovers are familiar with oak barrels , there are actually a wide variety of tanks used in winemaking. Each material has specific properties that influence the aromatic profile , structure and texture of the wine.
The Main Types of Tanks:
🔸 Wooden Vats (Barrels and Casks)
✔ Promotes micro-oxygenation , essential for the development of wine.
✔ Provide tannins and woody aromas that enrich its complexity.
🔸 Concrete Tanks
✔ Porous structure allowing natural oxygenation , without the addition of external aromas.
✔ Excellent thermal inertia , ensuring stable fermentation.
🔸 Stainless Steel Tanks
✔ Chemically neutral , they preserve the pure expression of the fruit.
✔ Easy cleaning and precise temperature control .
🔸 Fiberglass Tanks
✔ Lightweight , easy to move and maintain .
✔ Transparency allowing visual control of the wine level.
Beyond Material: The Influence of Tank Shape
While the choice of material is crucial, the shape of the vats also has an impact on the wine. Less well-known to the general public, some innovative shapes influence the way in which the wine evolves.
🔹 The oval vats generate natural movements promoting prolonged contact with the fine lees, providing more body and aromatic intensity .
🔹 Cube or trapezoidal shaped tanks modify the distribution of suspended particles, influencing the texture and perception in the mouth.
These subtle but essential differences illustrate the richness of the world of wine, where every detail can be optimized to magnify the expression of a terroir and a grape variety.
The Magic of Winemaking: Between Mastery and Creativity
Each vat, each gesture and each decision influences the trajectory of the wine. If winemaking is based on rigorous technical principles, it also leaves room for the intuition and know-how of the winemaker . It is this balance between tradition and innovation , between science and passion , which gives birth to unique wines, reflections of a terroir and a year of work.
So, whether in concrete, stainless steel, fiberglass or wood tanks , each container brings its signature and contributes to the complexity of the wine. A sensory adventure that begins well before the bottle is uncorked...