Wine is a popular drink in Japan, and you can even find it at most stores that sell alcohol. It is made by fermenting grapes and has been loved around the world throughout history. There are many wines that go well with Japanese cuisine, and some people choose a type of wine to match the taste of the food.
However, many people probably don't know much about wine production methods, alcohol content, calories, etc. In this article, we'll introduce some basic knowledge about wine, including how it's made.

Types of wine and how they are made

The three most common types of wine are red wine, white wine, and rosé wine. Here we will briefly explain how each is produced.

【red wine】

1. Crush the grapes.
2. The mash (mashed fruit juice, skins, pulp, seeds, etc.) is fermented. During this process, red wine always undergoes malolactic fermentation (the conversion of malic acid to lactic acid by lactic acid bacteria).
3. Squeeze out the liquid using a squeezer or similar.
4. Aging in barrels. The period varies depending on the wine brand, but it can last anywhere from six months to three years.
5. The wine is bottled, either filtered or unfiltered.

[White wine]

1. Crush the grapes. White grapes are used with the skin on, but black grapes are not allowed to extract the pigments from the skin to maintain transparency.
2. Squeeze out the liquid using a squeezer or similar.
3. Ferment the juice.
4. Aging. Depending on the taste and flavor, the storage method (barrels, stainless steel tanks, etc.) can be changed.
5. Filter and bottle.

As you can see, the timing of squeezing the juice is different for red wine and white wine. Rose wine is made using a more advanced method.

【rosé wine】

There are many different ways to make rosé wine:

・Direct pressing method: This is similar to the method used to make white wine. The grapes are crushed, the juice is squeezed out, and then fermented. This produces a light-colored rosé.

・Saignée method: Ferment the juice and fruit without separating them, then extract some of the juice and ferment it to make rosé wine. This produces a deep-colored rosé.

・Carbonic maceration method: Ferment the juice without separating it from the fruit, then extract the juice and ferment it as rosé wine. The resulting wine is lighter in color than wine made by the saignée method, but darker in color than wine made by the direct pressing method.

There are various methods for producing sparkling wine, but the well-known "Champagne" is made by first fermenting in a tank and then allowing a second fermentation to occur in the bottle.

What is the alcohol content of wine?

The alcohol content of wine varies by wine. There is a range, so be sure to check the label on the bottle before drinking. Generally, sweeter wines have a lower alcohol content than savory wines.

Dry 10.5-14.5%
Sweet 6-12%

Depending on the degree of fermentation and the amount of sugar in the grapes, the alcohol content of wine varies widely. However, due to differences in production methods, red wines tend to have higher alcohol content.
In addition, fortified wines, such as sherry, which is produced intensively in Andalusia, Spain, can have an alcohol content of 15% or more.

How many calories and sugar does wine have?

The calorie content of wine varies depending on the wine, just like the sweetness, but the average calorie content is as follows. The average calorie content may not be exactly the same even for the same brand, so please use it as a guide only.

[Calories/Carbohydrates per 100ml]
Red wine 73 kcal/1.5g
White wine 73 kcal/2.0g
Rose wine 77 kcal/4.0g
Sparkling wine 100 kcal/2.0g

Wines that are "easy to drink because they are sweet" tend to be high in calories overall. Also, if you are concerned about carbohydrates, you should be especially careful not to drink too much because they are easy to drink.

summary

・There are various methods for making wine, and some of the methods differ between red wine and white wine.
The alcohol content of wine varies from wine to wine, with dry wines tending to have a higher alcohol content.
The calories in wine are more proportional to its sweetness than to the type of wine.

It's true that red wine and white wine are made from different types of grapes, but the black grapes that are used to make red wine can also be used to make white wine. Therefore, it can be said that the difference between wines is largely due to the "production method." When the topic of production methods comes up at a drinking party, try mentioning the information introduced in this article. Also, for the sake of your health, try enjoying a variety of wines while paying attention to the alcohol content, calories, sugar, etc.

Wine Containers

At RIVERET, we offer tableware to help you enjoy wine even more.
Tableware made from natural Moso bamboo is characterized by a soft and gentle feel on the mouth compared to ceramic, metal, or glass. It has been polished to a beautiful shape by the hands of Japanese craftsmen.

It is also recommended as a gift for life's milestones, such as wedding presents, wedding favors, promotions, and retirement gifts.