GRAPES & regioNs Who ever thinks running a wine estate is a piece of cake will be sorely disappointed. It is a tough farm life that requires hard work all year round, often even seven days a week. This chapter deals with grapes and regions and the winemaker’s annual calendar. Merlot Sauvignon Blanc Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Chardonnay Gamay Malbec Chenin Blanc Riesling Viognier Sangiovese Tempranillo Pinot Noir Whoever thinks running a wine estate is a piece of cake will be sorely disappointed. It is a tough farm life that requires hard work all year round, often even seven days a week. This chapter deals with grapes and regions and the winemaker’s annual calendar.

Spring The first small bunches of grapes appear on the grapevines in spring. Even though it is spring, nights can be cold and even freezing. The farmer prunes superfluous leaves and branches. There is also a lot of work to be done in the wine cellar; barrels need to be filled up again and part of last year’s wine can be bottled. The first small bunches of grapes appear on the grapevines in spring. Even though it is spring, nights can be cold and even freezing. The farmer prunes superfluous leaves and branches. There is also a lot of work to be done in the wine cellar; barrels need to be filled up again and part of last year’s wine can be bottled.

Summer time During summer, fungal diseases are lurking. The winemaker will do everything he can to protect his vines. He also monitors the temperature in the cellar, to see if it is cold enough. After ripening for an average of 100 days, the grapes are ready to be harvested. A whole year’s work has been building up to this moment: everyone is ready to go. During summer, fungal diseases are lurking. The winemaker will do everything he can to protect his vines. He also monitors the temperature in the cellar, to see if it is cold enough. After ripening for an average of 100 days, the grapes are ready to be harvested. A whole year’s work has been building up to this moment: everyone is ready to go.

Harvest Harvested grapes are put into large tubs and the stems are removed: the photo shows how this is done mechanically; it can also be done manually. The juice will slowly ferment to become an alcoholic grape juice. While the leaves are falling off the grapevines, the vineyard is prepared for winter. In the meantime, the grape juice is slowly changing into wine. Harvested grapes are put into large tubs and the stems are removed: the photo shows how this is done mechanically; it can also be done manually. The juice will slowly ferment to become an alcoholic grape juice. While the leaves are falling off the grapevines, the vineyard is prepared for winter. In the meantime, the grape juice is slowly changing into wine.

Winter is falling The superfluous branches are pruned and bound together. The vineyard is ploughed. In many wine regions across the world, grapevines will hibernate and the juice flow will stop. The wooden barrels are filled with new wine and the bottling machine is working overtime. What will this new harvest bring? The superfluous branches are pruned and bound together. The vineyard is ploughed. In many wine regions across the world, grapevines will hibernate and the juice flow will stop. The wooden barrels are filled with new wine and the bottling machine is working overtime. What will this new harvest bring?

Wine in the world This map of the world shows different wine regions, from America to New Zealand and everything in between. Grapes are also grown in Asia. In the Northern Hemisphere the grapevine develops from February to October. The same goes for the Southern Hemisphere, except that when it is summer there, it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere. This map of the world shows different wine regions, from America to New Zealand and everything in between. Grapes are also grown in Asia. In the Northern Hemisphere the grapevine develops from February to October. The same goes for the Southern Hemisphere, except that when it is summer there, it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

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