Living

Since the beginning of mankind, wine has been around, and has been considered as a pleasurable source of drink. Although no one truly knows who made the first wine or how they went about it, it has since then played many roles in the world, such as for a part of religious ceremonies, as medicine and antiseptic, a water purifier, a meal delight, as well as a comforting friend.

Wine is an alcoholic beverage which is produced by the fermentation of the juice of fruits, particularly that of grapes, and although there are a number of other fruits that are used, grapes are used the majority of the time because they are naturally chemically balanced to be able to ferment completely without requiring that of additional sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients.

The most popular wine producing countries, in order from greatest to least are: France, Italy, Spain, United States, Argentina, China, Australia, South Africa, Germany, and Chile. The leaders in export volume by market share in the year 2003 were: France at 22 percent, Italy at 20 percent, Spain at 16 percent, Australia at 8 percent, Chile at 6 percent, the United States at 5 percent, Portugal at 4 percent, and Germany at 4 percent.

Basically, wine grapes grow almost exclusively between thirty and fifty degrees north or south of the equator, and the world’s most southerly vineyards of all are located in the South Island of New Zealand.

Some of the most popular types of red grapes are: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Norton, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Syrah, Tempranillo, Teroldego, and Zinfandel. Some of the most popular types of white grapes are: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, Marsame, Melon de Bourgogne, Muscat, Palomino, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc, and Verdicchio.

How to Make Your own Wine

Making your own wine can be a truly fun and enjoyable experience. There are eight basic steps involved in wine making, which are: choose the grapes or fruit, crush the grapes or fruit, stain the juice into the fermenter, inoculate juice with yeast, allow the wine to ferment, rack wine, bottle wine, and age the wine.

Although there is many additional and more advanced items you can supply yourself with, the basics you will need includes such things as: primary fermenting vessel, siphon, stirring spoons or a paddle, fermentation locks, measuring cups, and a thermometer.