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The history of wine making

The art of making wine dates back thousands of years and is thought to have originated in the Middle East. The first evidence of grape growing and wine production comes from the Georgian region of the Caucasus, where archaeologists have found winepresses and grape seeds from 6000 BC.

From the Caucasus, the art of wine making spread to Greece, Italy and beyond. In ancient Greece, wine was a fundamental part of social and religious life, and was often used as a currency. The Greeks believed that wine was a gift from the gods, and this is reflected in their mythology. In the Homeric Hymn to Dionysus, the god is described as the ‘bringer of joy’, while in Homer’s Odyssey, the narrator tells us that wine ‘gladdens the heart of man’.

The Romans were also great lovers of wine, and it became an important part of their culture. In fact, the Latin word for wine, vinum, is thought to be the root of the English word ‘wine’. The Roman writer Pliny the Elder believed that there were over 60 types of grape, and that the best wines came from the province of Italy known as Etruria.

Wine making continued to spread throughout Europe, and by the Middle Ages there were vineyards in England, Germany, Austria and Hungary. The Crusades also played a role in the history of wine, as soldiers returning from the Holy Land brought with them vines and winemaking techniques from the Arabs.

The art of wine making has developed significantly over the centuries, and today there are thousands of different types of wine available to enjoy. From crisp white wines to rich reds, and everything in between, there is a wine to suit every taste..More information

The different types of wine made from grapes

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from grapes. Yeasts convert the sugar in the grapes into alcohol, and the natural acidity of the grapes is used to balance the sweetness of the wine. There are many different types of wine, each with its own distinct flavor, which is determined by the type of grape used, the region where the grape is grown, and the winemaking process.

The most common type of grape used in wine production is the red wine grape. These grapes are usually thicker-skinned and contain more tannins than white wine grapes. Tannins add bitterness and structure to wine, and the amount of tannins in a wine is determined by the grape variety, the length of time the grape skins are in contact with the juice, and whether or not the wine is filtered before bottling. Red wines are typically aged in oak barrels, which adds additional flavors and aromas to the wine. Common red wine grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz.

White wine grapes are thinner-skinned and contain less tannin than red wine grapes. The juice of white wine grapes is usually clear, or nearly so. White wines are usually not aged in oak barrels, which allows the natural fruity flavors of the grape to come through. Common white wine grape varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio.

Sparkling wines are made with grapes that contain high levels of acidity. The carbon dioxide gas that is produced during fermentation is trapped in the wine, which gives sparkling wines their characteristic bubbles. The type of grape, the region where it is grown, and the winemaking process all influence the flavor of sparkling wines. Champagne is the most famous type of sparkling wine, but it is only produced in the Champagne region of France. Other types of sparkling wine include Prosecco, Cava, and Crémant.

Rosé wines are made with red wine grapes, but the skins are removed from the grape juice before fermentation. This prevents the diffusion of color from the skins into the juice, resulting in a wine that is pink in color. Rosé wines can be made from any type of grape, but they are usually made with lighter-bodied red wine grapes. The flavor of a rosé wine is determined by the type of grape used, the amount of time the skins are in contact with the juice, and the region where the grape is grown.

Dessert wines are made from grapes that have been affected by a fungus called botrytis cinerea, also known as “noble rot.” This fungus dehydrates the grapes and concentrates the sugar in the grape juice. The resulting wine is very sweet and has high levels of alcohol. Dessert wines are usually served with dessert, but they can also be enjoyed on their own. Common dessert wines include Sauternes, Port, and Icewine.

Visit howtomakewinefromgrapes.com to learn more about making wine from grapes. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.