Research project
An ideal fermentation for wine is short, typically lasting no longer than a week. When fermentations become protracted, the delays can have a direct effect on the scheduling of winery operations. Worst-case scenarios may see residual sugar concentrations failing to meet production specifications, resulting in time-consuming and potentially expensive remediation actions. Fermentation management is complicated by the different types of fermentation employed (alcoholic and malolatic), the mode of those fermentations (concurrent or sequential, inoculated or not), the styles of wine being made (red or white, cellar bright juice or high solids) and the composition of the fermentation substrate (high YAN or high sugar) to name a few. These choices have the potential to shape fermentation outcomes and can lead to unpredictability in both the overall duration and completeness of fermentation.