The Wine Making Process in Lisbon

Have you ever wanted to know how wine is made? If so, then a wine tour in Lisbon is perfect for you! On a wine tour, you'll get to see the whole process of wine-making from start to finish. You'll learn about the different grapes that are used to make wine and how they are grown. You'll also get to see how the wine is made, bottled, and shipped. And of course, you'll get to taste some delicious wines along the way!

Wine-Making Process in Lisbon

If you're interested in learning more about winemaking, be sure to check out a wine tour in Lisbon. Even if you're already aware of some of the processes, it's a great way to discover any tips and techniques from the locals.

The first step in making wine is to crush the grapes.

Taking wine tours in Lisbon is a great way to learn about wine-making from the very beginning. It all starts with an age-old tradition of crushing grapes, which hasn't changed much over the centuries and still serves as the cornerstone of wine production. This first step can make or break your wine, so it is important for winemakers to carefully choose each grape according to variety and ripeness.

Once crushed, fermentation begins and is followed by ageing, blending, and bottling - producing one of the world's oldest alcoholic beverages that continues to delight wine enthusiasts everywhere.

The grape juice and skins are fermented together in a large vat.

After being harvested, the grapes are taken to the winery and run through a de-stemmer-crusher. This separates the juice from the stem and skin. Then, the grape juice and skins are fermented together in a large vat – traditionally this is either wooden or stainless steel – to give flavour, colour, body and tannins to the wine.

During fermentation, certain yeasts will convert sugar into alcohol, and so this process is essential for making wine with alcoholic content. After fermentation is complete, the solids can be separated from the liquid part of the wine by pressing it. The result is an unaged wine that can then be aged depending on what kind of wines are desired.

After fermentation, the wine is transferred into barrels for ageing.

After the fermentation process is complete, it's time to move the wine from vessels like tanks and carboys into barrels. As its stays in these barrels, the wine ages gracefully until it has just the right flavour and finish. Barr ageing often takes months or even years, which allows the flavours to fully develop and enhances their complexity – a critical factor in producing great wines. It gives subtle notes of oak and smokiness, often providing the perfect complement to a selected varietal.

Ultimately, barrel ageing offers a unique opportunity for producers and fans to curate each vintage of wine to their liking.

Once the wine has aged sufficiently, it is bottled and sold!

After barrel ageing and careful monitoring, the time has come to finally bottle a vintage! There is something incredibly exciting about seeing that delicious finessed flavour start to get into bottles, ready for sale for wine enthusiasts all around the world. Bottling a vintage and knowing that so many will enjoy it is an incredible feeling.

Each method of producing wines has its unique nuances, making bottling an authentic expression of art & craftsmanship. This final step in making a delicious wine blend marks the end of one phase and sets us up to begin the next - enjoying it with grateful friends and family!

Enjoy your delicious Portuguese wine!

Portugal provides some of the most exquisite wines in the world, and given its long and complex history with wine production, it's no wonder they're celebrated. Enjoy a bold ruby port or an elegant white wine from the Douro Valley, or sip a chilled vino verde from Minho. However you choose to experience Portuguese wines, it will be an unforgettable journey. With their range of styles and complexity, you'll be sure to find something for any occasion. So go ahead and embark on this tasty adventure - enjoy your delicious Portuguese wine with a wine tour in Lisbon!

Discover the Wine-making Process with our Wine Tours in Lisbon

We hope this post has inspired you to try something new, embracing Portugal's ancient winemaking techniques. Enjoyed responsibly, Portuguese wines are the perfect accompaniment for any momentous occasion. Now that you’re in the know, why not book a food and wine tour in Lisbon today?