October 8, 2014

The Art of Wine Making

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The best wines come from those who are passionate about the craft…

One thing I’ve noticed since I’ve entered the “world of wine” that stands out above all else, is the passion of a really devoted winemaker. The best winemakers have their own quarks about them. And I don’t say quark with a weird connotation attached to it. But rather, most winemakers who produce truly excellent wines adhere to a set of values. In some cases, it might be a family tradition. In other cases, they may have adapted what new-age science has to offer to the wine making process, and follow a distinct set of rules.

Whatever method they follow, you can hear their passion in their voice, and you can taste it in their wine.

Wine is Art in a Bottle

There are winemakers like Lalou Bize-Leroy of Domaine Leroy in Burgundy, France who truly breathe unique life into their wine. A strong proponent of biodynamic viticulture, she is present at every stage of the wine making process. From the growth of her vines, to the harvest and finally to production, every leaf, every root and most importantly, every grape tells a story. Lalou believes her vines recognize her and the care she gives them, and the quality of product produced gives strong evidence to this belief. For her, wine making is more than a farm to table process. It’s a deep understanding of biodynamic viticulture that fully encompasses the ecological and spiritual passion behind the crafting of a great wine.

On the opposite end of the wine making spectrum, but also in Burgundy, France, Christophe Perrot-Minot crafts his beverage through precise calculation and understanding of his vineyards terroir. Utilizing the most advanced techniques computer science can offer, he’s able to calculate a grapes potential potency and structure before the fermentation process begins. He has adapted his own procedure to an ancient wine making tradition in the region, and maintains a non-interventionist philosophy towards the wine making process. That means that the vines should have the ability to develop and utilize what the land already offers, without interference from outside chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

What are some of your favorite winemakers or wine making processes that you’ve come across on your travels? Tell us in the comments!


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