Berry Sensory Analysis - Can we Pick Yet?

In the 10 years (yes can you believe we have been here 10 years!) we have been here, Glen from Bent Road Winery has shared his wisdom in all things wine making and it all begins with the grapes. We have never picked our grapes without first doing a BSA is determine physiological ripeness.

During the growing season and as the grapes show signs of ripening we will do a ‘walk through’ the vineyard and taste the grapes but also check the sugar levels by picking random berries and squeezing the juice onto the glass of a refractometer. Each variety ripens at different times and we have learnt though experience what sugar level we want in each variety. When we are getting close and the grapes taste delicious we will conduct a Berry Sensory Analysis.

The BSA process involves selecting random bunches of grapes, the trick is to take an indicative selection of bunches that best represent the total crop as we will base our wine making on this sample. We typically end up with 20 - 30 bunches of grapes per variety. Then from each bunch we pick 5 berries - 2 from each side at the top, 2 from each side in the middle and 1 from the bottom. If we have 20 bunches we will end up with 100 berries. From these 100 berries we close our eyes and randomly pick 20 berries (just like a lucky dip) and these are the berries we analyse

Using a standardised set of 20 descriptors we can determine the ripeness of all parts of the berries. From the stems to the skins, pulp and seeds. All of these elements impart flavour and texture to the wine and need to be analysed when determening the perfect time to pick the grapes. We also squish up all the bunches and taste the juice, test the sugar and acid levels and make the call as to whether or not the grapes are ready to pick.

Here we all are conducting a BSA on Merlot, Shiraz and Gros Manseng. As it turns out the Merlot is ready for Rose, the Shiraz needs another 7 - 10 days and the Gros Manseng is ready for the first pick although we are not going to tell you what we are doing with it just yet…………………………..