4 Fascinating Facts about Wine

While the exact origins of wine aren’t known, it can be traced back 6,000 years to the Mesopotamian civilization. Read ahead to learn a few interesting facts about this classic alcoholic beverage!

Wine Colors

Wine comes in different shades of red, pink, and white. While the grapes used for wine production give out a clear juice, the color of the wine is determined by grape skins. The skin contains the pigment anthocyanin, which gives the beverage a ruby color.

During the fermentation of red wines, grape skins are added to the mixture. In contrast, white wines are made by fermenting only the grape juice collected, resulting in a lighter color. For pink wines, red wine juice is used to start the fermentation process, and the skins are removed shortly after to give them a unique color.

Temperature

When it comes to storing and serving wine, the temperature is of utmost importance. At an optimal temperature, the flavor and aroma of the wine is fully enhanced.

Typically, white wines are served cold. This is because the coolness of the temperature emphasizes the wine’s acidity, which is a crucial element of white wine. On the other hand, red wines are generally served at either warm or room temperatures.

The chemical composition of red wines is more complex than lighter ones. The acidity needs to be kept very subtle, unlike in white wines where the feature is highlighted.

Fermentation

Unlike how it is for ales and lagers, the fermentation process for wine is a quick one. For red wines, especially, fermentation occurs very rapidly, breaking down the sugars into alcohol at a fast pace.
Most winemakers tend to slow down the process to make the final product more flavorsome and aromatic. Slowing down also means they can extract the color from red wines. Even then, red wines are typically fermented in less than a week. White wines may be allowed to ferment for longer for a more pronounced taste and scent.

Health Benefits

Besides having a tantalizing taste, red wines have medicinal properties as well.  They contain antioxidants which help in minimizing the chances of cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. In fact, Hippocrates himself recommended having red wine in moderation to improve your overall health.

Wines contain the procyanidins, which are condensed tannins. These have various health benefits, most notably being linked to inhibiting cholesterol buildup in blood vessels and promoting heart health.

In search of high-quality brewing tools for your winery? Cedarstone Industry provides a vast range of brewing equipment, including stainless steel storage tanks, fermenters, mixing tanks and keg washers.

Call us at (281) 397-3700 to learn more about our services!