Winter affects on the Wine Industry
Last winter’s season brought an extreme winter with well below average temperatures and plenty of snow. For some this meant more work, plowing numerous roads and shoveling endless sidewalks but for one industry this winter only meant devastation. The wine industry had lost almost all their grape vine crops for the season. Our own Candace Monacelli learned how drastic this loss was for Ferrante Winery in Ashtabula County.
Ferrante winery will start replanting in Spring 2015 and receive the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency low interest emergency loan in two ways. First by cost replacement where salvageable vines with some growth will be nurtured back to health and by reimbursement where completely destroyed vines must be removed and replaced.
Wine Making Process:
1. Plantation or grafting of the vine stock
2. Growing of the grape-bunch
3. Harvesting the grapes
4. De-stemming and crushing the grapes
5. Alcoholic fermentation of the liquid – the juice becomes wine under the natural action of yeast which changes sugar in alcohol
6. Maceration – the pomace (skin, pips and stems) impregnate the must giving body and color
7. Raking the wine – pomace and must are separated. The must becomes “vin de goutte”, the pomace becomes “vin de presse”
8. Malolactic fermentation – under the action of natural bacteria, the harsh malic acid changes itself in lactic acid supple and stable
9. Maturation of the wine – the wine is clarified and put in casks/barrels to stabilize and perfects itself
10. Bottling the wine
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The wine industry accounts for a 786 million dollar economic impact in Ohio according to the most recent Ohio Grape Industries Committee study. The winter 2013-2014 season hit many wineries like Ferrante Winery and will affect the wine industry for years to come.
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Any questions or concerns contact Candace Monacelli at cmonacel@kent.edu and @CandaceMonacell
