From Vineyard to Glass – Through the Eyes of a Winemaker

The terms "sulfur dioxide" or "sulfites" have become something of a dreaded unhealthy buzzword in Japan's wine industry today, treated with the same revulsion as a venomous snake. Meanwhile, sulfur dioxide-free wines—those made without adding these antiox ...

You open a bottle of wine you've been looking forward to and pour it into your glass. As you bring your nose close to enjoy the aromatic bouquet rising from the wine, something seems off. Many of you have probably had this experience. Wine that produces u ...

When storing wine, there's probably one question that everyone has wondered about at least once: how should the bottle be positioned? Should wine bottles be stored horizontally, or should they not be stored vertically? A quick search reveals many explanat ...

Grape berries undergo sunburn phenomena similar to human skin. This phenomenon introduces burnt-like flavors into wine, particularly affecting the quality of white wines where delicate aromas are crucial. Sunburned berries must be sorted and removed durin ...

With the arrival of summer, grapevines in vineyards continue their growth cycle. Currently, vineyard operations are proceeding simultaneously with lateral shoot removal, leaf removal, and shoot tip cutting. During this period, Germany experienced two days ...

There is one disease that grape growers particularly fear during rainy years: downy mildew. Whether dealing with wine grapes or any other cultivated plants, the battle against diseases is unavoidable. Vineyards encounter various diseases, but the most pro ...

In modern winemaking, yeast selection technology continues to evolve constantly. A recurring phenomenon is observed where specific yeasts gain attention due to outstanding performance in competitions or industry recommendations, leading to rapid expansion ...

One of the most critical factors in winemaking is pH. Many people may recall learning about pH in middle school science or high school chemistry classes. However, understanding how pH relates to wine can be challenging. When researching the relationship b ...

"Wine is made from grapes alone." This is what most people believe, yet contrary to this assumption, some wine back labels include listings of additives. There are several types of additives, with antioxidants and stabilizers being among the most well-kno ...

The role of microorganisms in winemaking has been extensively studied throughout its history. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which has long been the focus of attention as the primary agent of alcoholic fermentation, has become indispensable in modern winemakin ...

Have you ever encountered a red wine that tasted oddly flat yet somehow spicy, with aromas reminiscent of dust, mold, or sulfur compounds? Such wines may have been affected by film-forming yeasts during their aging period. While the term "film-forming yea ...

A chemical reaction known as the Maillard reaction exists. This reaction is also called the amino-carbonyl reaction. The browning of meat when grilled, the appetizing golden color of baked cookies or toast, and the appealing color of fish teriyaki glazed ...