Hand picking the grapes

Grape harvest

Hand picking the grapes means that pickers go through the vineyard and pick the grapes bunch by bunch. They can choose the ripe grapes, or rather, they can avoid picking rotten or bad grapes.

The grape harvest in Tuscany usually occurs between September and October. The right period for harvesting is determined by the ripeness of the grape as measured by sugar, acid and tannin levels. Also the weather is important by planning the time of the harvest.

Some winemakers determine whether to use hand-picker workers or mechanical harvest machinery. Some benefits of hand picking the grapes are:

• Grapes are handled gently
• The hand picked grapes are carefully laid out so that they arrive at the press intact
• Hand picking means you care and care is what matters…

Winemaking process red wine

Wine making is a natural process that requires human intervention, but each winery guides the process though different techniques. In basic, there are five components of the wine making process:

Harvesting, Crushing and Pressing, Fermentation, Clarification, Aging and Bottling

After the grapes are sorted they are ready to be de-stemmed and crushed. Mechanical presses the grapes into must. Must is a freshly juice that contains the skins, seeds and solids.

After crushing and pressing the fermentation begins. The fermentation continues until the sugar is converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide CO2.

Grape skins and solids float to the top and need to be pushed back. The red wine juice is pomped from the bottom and splashed over the top of the grape cap.

When the fermentation has finished it is the time to clarify the wine. Filtration occurs by a filter. The clarified wine is ready for further aging in stainless steel, oak barrels or in bottels.

Tenuta Poggio alla Sala

A group of workers at the vineyards of Tenuta Poggio alla Sala picked the grapes with secateurs and put them in a basket. Then the grapes are put in a container and finally transported to the winery to be processed.

The most planted grape at Tenuta Poggio alla Sala is the Sangiovese grape. Tenuta Poggio alla Sala is located in the southern part of Montepulciano. Some Etruscan objects are found here.

If you want gorgeous views as well as a good glass of wine than head to Tenuta Poggio alla Sala. From here you see the Monte Amiata which influences the local climate of the lands and the vineyards.

Youtube video “hand picking grapes”

Sangiovese is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Prugnolo Gentile is a clone of Sangiovese and is mainly grown for the expansion of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.

The grapes are high in sugar, tannin and acidity. 

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has potential for aging. After 3 years up the wine can be sold.