201: Balance Hot Climate, High Sugar Wine with Green Grape Juice aka Verjus

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">High temperatures and extreme weather events can have numerous impacts on wine grapes and ultimately wine quality.</span> Dr. Andreea Botezatu, Associate Professor and Extension Enology Specialist at Texas A&M University, Texas AgriLife Extension Service finds that changes in ripening patterns are the most common. In high heat, s<span style= "mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ugars accumulate faster, acids degrade, ripening happens earlier and the result is higher alcohol wines. The challenge is that ripening is not linear. Tannins and maturation of the seeds do not progress at the same pace. Plus, high pH causes color and flavor instability.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Andreea is experimenting with verjus, the juice of green grapes. In North America, grapes from crop thinning are traditionally considered waste. However, in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, green grape juice is used in many culinary practices. Verjus has little sugar, high acidity, and low pH making it a perfect addition to unbalanced wines.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Learn about her current experiment testing both red and white grape verjus against three other acidification methods. Plus, Andreea gives listeners tips on how to prevent that green pepper flavor caused by ladybug taint.</span></p> <h2><span style= "mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Resources:</span></h2> <ul> <li class="MsoNormal"><span style= "mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://www.vineyardteam.org/resources/resource-library/product-assurance-and-business-sustainability.php?id=962"> 145: New Class of Compounds Linked to Smoke Taint in Wines</a> (Podcast)</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "https://www.vineyardteam.org/podcast/?id=959">143: Can Barrier Sprays Protect Against Smoke Taint in Wine?</a> (Podcast)</li>