Provided By: Brix 33 | Restaurant in New Port Richey FL
Many
people don’t know that growing and picking conditions affect the qualities of
the grapes and wine. For example, grapes become ripe much quicker in warmer
climates (i.e. closer to the equator). Or that many vineyards test chemical
components of the grape when determining if it’s ready. Every single factor
that you can think of has some effect on the grape.
Certain
wines like sparkling wines require grapes that are picked slightly before they
reach ripeness, so as to maintain some acidity. There are some qualities that
can only be detected by humans however. This is why some vineyards and wineries
still use humans to pick grapes as opposed to machines. A machine cannot detect
broken skin on a grape, which could be a big risk.
There
are actually a certain variety of grapes that can only be handpicked, and they
are required for dessert wines among many other types. These ‘botrytis bunches’
are essentially grapes with fungus growing on them. Similar to the fuzzy grey
growth you will see on strawberries, this fungus comes in many varieties. This
is where growing conditions are important, because dryer climates grow a form
of this known as ‘noble rot’. In this case, more liquid leaves the grape and
results in a concentrated grape.
This
is why it is important for some vineyards to only have human pickers. Without a
human’s intuition diseased grapes may get into wine and make people sick. Many
people also believe that picking grapes during the nighttime and daytime have
different effects on sugar levels. It has also been said that grapes that are
picked during a rain have a ‘watery’ taste. All in all, the growing and picking
conditions of grapes have a large effect on the quality of grapes and wine you
will receive. Read more on this topic and visit Brix 33 fine wines and
bistro in New Port Richey FL.
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