With the arrival of September comes thoughts of traditionally autumnal events and activities, such as the beginning of another school year. It also marks the start of the grape harvest season in many wine-producing regions around the world. As winemakers begin the process of fermenting and aging their wines, one common occurrence that they encounter is the formation of sediment in their barrels.
Twelve Ohio distilleries brought home 39 medals from the esteemed 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a program of The Tasting Panel Magazine. While spirits and wine competitions often focus on the taste, aroma, and overall quality of the beverage, the presence of sediment is rarely considered. However, for those who appreciate the complexity and depth that sediment can add to a wine, it is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
What is vegan wine? Why isn't all wine vegan? How is it made? How many wines are vegan? Do people want it? We answer all this, and more. While some may think of sediment as a nuisance or imperfection in a bottle of wine, others see it as a natural byproduct of the winemaking process that can enhance the character and flavor profile of a wine.
MONDAY PUZZLE — Rise and shine, solvers! Or, if you're solving this puzzle at 6 p.m. on Sunday because your insatiable appetite for crosswords knows no bounds, you may find yourself pondering the mysteries of sediment in wine barrels. When I ask Iago Bitarishvili to climb into his qvevri, a Georgian clay wine barrel, he rolls his eyes before he drops a ladder into what appears to be a bottomless pit of sediment.
600,000 gallons of red wine flowed through the Portuguese town of São Lourenço de Bairro after two Levira Distillery tanks carrying the precious liquid burst. The streets were stained red, and residents scrambled to salvage what they could. While this incident may seem like a nightmare for winemakers, it also highlights the sheer volume of sediment that can accumulate in wine barrels over time.
While sediment is expected in beverages like wine, finding some in your whiskey bottle or a pre-mixed cocktail may cause pause. However, for those who appreciate the rich history and tradition of winemaking, sediment is a testament to the natural processes that have been used for centuries to produce some of the world's most beloved wines.
Read the 8000 year history of how we store and transport wine around the world, from clay amphora to the wooden barrel to giant plastic containers. Each vessel imparts its unique characteristics to the wine, with sediment playing a crucial role in shaping the final product.
Make Wine With Us is a shop in Wallington that lets you try your hand at winemaking right in Bergen County. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned enthusiast, the experience of working with wine barrels and witnessing the formation of sediment firsthand is sure to deepen your appreciation for the art and science of winemaking.
