When to harvest grapes for wine

Industrial grapes are harvested in the fall. The berries must be fully ripe for winemaking to produce a delicious and aromatic wine. Harvesting the grapes isn't as easy as it seems. The rules for preparing wine material for processing are simple, but they must be followed. Overripe or underripe grapes can spoil the quality of the prepared drink.

Determining the ripeness of grapes

Berry crops have two subtypes based on ripening time. The first is the physical ripeness of the grapes. Depending on the growing conditions, the fruits ripen earlier or later than the time stated by the originator. Physical ripeness occurs when all the bunches have gained sugar and color. The second type is technical ripeness. For various varieties In winemaking, harvesting times are strictly defined. This allows for the harmonious flavor and aroma of vintage wines to be achieved.

The readiness of the garden plant's brushes is indicated by the external characteristics of the grapes.

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The main signs of ripeness:

• Ripe grapes are uniformly colored. Dark-berry varieties acquire a rich color without any light spots, while white ones become bright and shiny;
• a thin crust appears near the stalk;
• the skin becomes thin;
• the fruits become sweet to the taste with a distinct varietal flavor;
• the seeds change from green to brownish-brown;
• the berries are easily removed from the bunches.

Harvesting Rules

You should start harvesting grapes when you are completely satisfied with the taste and aroma of the berries.

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Collect the fruits based on the rules:

1. The weather during harvesting should be dry. If it rains, wait until the bunches are completely dry.
2. Cut the brushes only with pruning shears so as not to damage the vine.
3. Collect in the evening; it is not recommended to do so in the morning as dew may form.
4. Pick off any rotten fruit immediately and discard it to prevent rot or mold from spreading to healthy berries.

Simple tips will help you harvest your berries on time and make delicious wine. Before pruning the grapes, familiarize yourself with the specifics of making a particular alcoholic beverage. Some wines require different sugar levels. Failure to follow these recommendations can ruin the flavor of your alcoholic beverage.