Wine making requires incredible investments of both time and patience. The single greatest influence in the art has been the Church, in the ancient monastic vineyards of Europe. There the winemakers focused on quality, not quantity, well away from the pressures of the outside world. Their wines, produced for sacramental purposes, are legendary. Modern vintners continue to emulate the successes of the monks.
Wine is the end result of the fermentation of natural grape juice. Sounds simple, but to be successful, the grape vines have to be selected carefully, tended religiously throughout the life of the vineyard. Attention to every detail during all seasons is mandatory, as a grape grown 99% correctly will result in a wine far from perfect. Planting a vineyard in an area of depleted soil fertility, unacceptable altitude, moisture and climate, or even choosing the wrong type of grape to plant, can lead to ruination. Whether or not to subscribe to the rules of growing/producing organic wine, and adhering to the various laws and rules governing the production of wine, require a great deal of both knowledge and skill.
The little things count big, such as managing the vines. Who knew that pruning directs the strength of the vine to flow into the fruit, not the stalk? Wildlife and disease can wipe out a crop at any time, so those threats must be addressed.
Harvesting the fruit too early or waiting too long will ruin the crop, eventually producing a poor quality wine. To blend or not to blend is a big question. The answer lies in what grape varieties are available, and if the grapes are of optimum quality. Stellar wines are produced using both a single wine, and blending two or more.
After the wine making process has begun, many wines are nursed to maturity through long years of ageing (usually in oak casks), followed by additional ageing after bottling to be sure it is fully matured before sale. Your favorite Wine of the Month Club hopes you enjoy the successes of the producers of this months wines!
Archeologists have uncovered evidence indicating humans have enjoyed the pleasures of wine since the dawn of history. How refreshing that must have been, not stressing over whether to drink red or white wine with dino meat!
