This essential text and reference offers a complete guide to winemaking. The authors, all well-known experts in their field, concentrate on the process of wine production, stressing the chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and underlying science of enology. They present in-depth discussion of every aspect of the wine production process, from the selection of grapes and preparation of the must and the juice, through aging, bottling and storage of finished wines. Novices and experienced winemakers alike will find this clearly written and expertly crafted book an indispensable source of practical instruction and information.

This essential text and reference offers a complete guide to winemaking. The authors, all well-known experts in their field, concentrate on the process of wine production, stressing the chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and underlying science of enology. They present in-depth discussion of every aspect of the wine production process, from the selection of grapes and preparation of the must and the juice, through aging, bottling and storage of finished wines. Novices and experienced winemakers alike will find this clearly written and expertly crafted book an indispensable source of practical instruction and information.

This essential text and reference offers a complete guide to winemaking. The authors, all well-known experts in their field, concentrate on the process of wine production, stressing the chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and underlying science of enology. They present in-depth discussion of every aspect of the wine production process, from the selection of grapes and preparation of the must and the juice, through aging, bottling and storage of finished wines. Novices and experienced winemakers alike will find this clearly written and expertly crafted book an indispensable source of practical instruction and information.

Winemaking as a form of food preseIVation is as old as civilization. Wine has been an integral component of people's daily diet since its discovery and has also played an important role in the development of society, reli gion, and culture. We are currently drinking the best wines ever produced. We are able to do this because of our increased understanding of grape growing, biochemistry and microbiology of fermentation, our use of ad vanced technology in production, and our ability to measure the various major and minor components that comprise this fascinating beverage. Historically, winemakers succeeded with slow but gradual improvements brought about by combinations of folklore, obseIVation, and luck. How ever, they also had monumental failures resulting in the necessity to dis pose of wine or convert it into distilled spirits or vinegar. It was assumed that even the most marginally drinkable wines could be marketed. This is not the case for modem producers. The costs of grapes, the technology used in production, oak barrels, corks, bottling equipment, etc. , have in creased dramatically and continue to rise. Consumers are now accustomed to supplies of inexpensive and high-quality varietals and blends; they con tinue to demand better. Modem winemakers now rely on basic science and xvi Preface xvii the systematic application of their art to produce products pleasing to the increasingly knowledgeable consumer base that enjoys wine as part of its civilized society.

In the beginning, for me, winemaking was a romanticized notion of putting grape juice into a barrel and allowing time to perform its magic as you sat on the veranda watching the sunset on a Tuscan landscape. For some small wineries, this notion might still ring true, but for the majority of wineries commercially producing quality wines, the reality of winemaking is far more complex. The persistent evolution of the wine industry demands continual advan- ments in technology and education to sustain and promote quality winem- ing. The sciences of viticulture, enology, and wine chemistry are becoming more intricate and sophisticated each year. Wine laboratories have become an integral part of the winemaking process, necessitating a knowledgeable staff possessing a multitude of skills. Science incorporates the tools that new-age winemakers are utilizing to produce some of the best wines ever made in this multibillion dollar trade. A novice to enology and wine chemistry can find these subjects daunting and intimidating. Whether you are a home winemaker, a new winemaker, an enology student, or a beginning-to-intermediate laboratory technician, p- ting all the pieces together can take time. As a winemaker friend once told me, “winemaking is a moving target. ” Introduction to Wine Laboratory Practices and Procedures was written for the multitude of people entering the wine industry and those that wish to learn about wine chemistry and enology.