Wine Color and Fementation

 skins.
In addition to describing wine color, the termsThis means that it is possible to make white wine
white and red used to indicate the way wine isfrom red grapes if the contact between the juice
fermented.and the skins is limited. An example is French
Believe it or not, just about all grapes, even redChampagne, which is made from the red Pinot
ones, have clear juice. The red pigment comesNoir grape. Even though they have a pink tinge,
from the skin of the grape. By fermenting theWhite Zinfandel and all blush wines are considered
juice with the pulp and skins, red wine is made. Itwhite wines since the juice is separated from the
is during this fermentation process, that the redsolids prior to fermentation.
color is pulled from the skins.Rose wines, on the other hand, are considered
After fermenting for several days, the new winered wines because even though it’s just for a
is pressed and theliquid and solids are separated.short time, they are fermented with the juice and
In addition to color, other materials are pulledthe skins.
from the skins during fermentation. TheseWhile quality red wine can be made with
materials are what produce the astringencyrudimentary equipment, high quality white table
typical of red wine.wine is much more difficult to make this way.
White and blush wines are made by first crushing,White wine oxidizes easily, and the effects of
then pressing the crushed grapes. Once this isoxidation are more apparent.
done, the liquid is separated from the solids priorThat does not mean that it is not possible to
to fermentation. Since almost almost no skinmake a good white wine at home. It just means
contact occurs only small amounts of color,that more and better winemaking equipment is
bitterness or astringency are pulled from theneeded to make a high quality white table wine.