In the wine world, once we get the grapes in to start fermenting they go through processes called “punch downs” & “pump overs”. Today I teach you what these mean… wine terminology, yayy!
The “cap” is basically the top layer of the solids/grapes in the tanks. When making wine it is important to manage the cap. Cap management basically means extracting the flavors, colors and tannins from the grapes. It is a super important process in winemaking and I talk about two methods used to manage the cap… punch downs and pump overs.
Pump overs are so important because it helps you keep the cap healthy and ready so that the fermentation process goes smoothly. Also with these pump overs, you’re introducing more oxygen to the juice which is ultimately multiplying the yeasts in the juice preparing them for fermentation. Remember, you want to have a good amount of yeasts and need them to be strong and healthy for the fermentation process.
Punch downs are basically “punching down” the cap into the juice during fermentation. The cap has all the “solids” aka the color, flavors, tannins, etc. so it’s important to do this during fermentation to make sure it has all the flavors, aromas and tannins you want for your vintage in order to create the best wine possible from that batch of grapes.
Today we try a vignobles red wine (vignobles means vineyard in french). It is a red blend of 50% Carignane, 25% Syrah and 25% Petite Syrah. This vintage is not yet out but today we get the first sneak peek here on the podcast!
1:15 - Intro to punch downs & pump overs
2:20 - Destemmer
4:45 - Cap management
5:30 - What is a pump over?
6:40 - Why the cap shouldn’t dry out
7:30 - Strong & healthy yeasts
8:35 - Organic nutrients
9:20 - Evenly distribute the yeast
9:35 - Punch downs
10:15 - Why punch downs are important
11:15 - Temperatures rise during fermentation
13:00 - Introducing today’s wine
17:30 - Visual & olfactory analysis
19:55 - Taste the wine
Today’s wine: 2020 Peterson Vignobles red wine (this vintage is not out yet but I linked the 2018 vintage below, please note that the blend in the 2018 vintage is different than the 2020 vintage.)
https://www.petersonwinery.com/product/Vignobles-2018--Dry-Creek-Valley
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