| Wine making in France is not only a very | | | | stock, growing of a grape bunch, subsequent |
| economically viable activity but is also considered | | | | harvesting of the grapes, de-stemming (only for |
| to be no less than any form of art. It is often | | | | red wines) and crushing the grapes, alcoholic |
| referred to as an expression of one's creativity | | | | fermentation of the liquid, maceration (only for |
| and the maker is literally considered to be an | | | | red wines), raking the wine, malolactic |
| artist. | | | | fermentation, maturation of the wine, bottling the |
| There are many different varieties of French | | | | wine and finally, tasting the wine. The steps may |
| wines. The most crucial factors that create | | | | be altered or changed depending on the kind of |
| differences in the kind of wine being prepared are, | | | | wine to be produced. |
| the choice of territory, the climate, the date of | | | | There is no one particular way to make wines. |
| harvest, grape variety, the kind of container in | | | | The methods of wine making differ from not only |
| which fermentation takes place, the temperature | | | | region to region but also from one wine maker to |
| at which the grape juice is maintained during | | | | another. That is what makes the different kinds |
| fermentation, the exact period of fermentation, | | | | of wine available to the people. However, there |
| and the type of container in which maturation | | | | are certain guidelines given to the wine makers |
| takes place. All these factors are important | | | | and the vineyard owners as to how the process |
| determiners of the kind of wine which is ultimately | | | | of wine making should be carried out. These |
| made, its taste, color and peculiar smell. | | | | simply provide frameworks to wine making and |
| In total, there are eleven suggested steps in wine | | | | do not serve as rigid rules. |
| making. These are plantation or grafting of a vine | | | | |