Yunding Ranch

Chapter 330 The First Batch of Red Wine
The wooden steps under the feet began to creak and creak due to the weight of the body, shaking off some dust, thin golden sunlight fell through the doorway, and in a trance, there was an illusion of entering another world.

This is always the case in underground wine cellars. The smell of hay floating in the air is mixed with some factors of alcohol floating. The walls made of large and rough stones exude damp water vapor. Giant wine barrels are stacked neatly, layer by layer. They are piled up layer upon layer, almost touching the ceiling, and you can vaguely feel the sparse sunlight falling behind you, and you will enter a different world with your steps.

Lu Li had seen a real professional wine cellar at the Romanée-Conti Winery. Compared to it, the wine cellar on the ranch was nothing, but he liked the wine cellar here.Because here you can see the traces of the former beech pastures everywhere, for example, those wine barrels stained with wine, showing the traces of time.

Wine barrels are very special. Although the winemaking process is fully mature now, oak barrels are basically used, but oak from different regions, different years of oak, and oak of different qualities have an impact on the fermentation of wine. of.

Wines made from French oak, American oak, or even oak from different regions of the same country will have subtle differences in taste.

What's more, in addition to oak, wine barrels made of quebracho, chestnut, acacia, etc. are also put into use in different regions.

The first is the well-known oxidation process. Different structures and types of oak barrels, the speed and amount of air entering, have different effects on the oxidation process.

Oak barrels provide a perfect oxidation environment, which also means that the same batch of wine placed in different oak barrels will have a slight deviation in the final taste and flavor, so the choice of oak barrels is very knowledgeable.

In addition, the aroma originally contained in the oak barrel will also be integrated into the wine.In addition to woody notes, depending on the degree of toasting in the barrel, aromas such as cream, vanilla, toast, toasted almonds, smoke and cloves can be brought to the wine.

The aroma of oak itself is not the original natural flavor of the wine, but only enriches the aroma of the wine. It should not overwhelm the guests and take away the original natural aroma of the wine.Therefore, the production process of oak barrels, heating techniques, etc., are all very delicate and professional parts.

Not only that, but oak also contains tannins, which are smooth, rough, and strong in astringency. They have the same effect as grape stems. When blended into wine, this will make the alcohol harsh and difficult to drink.

Therefore, during the production process, the oak blocks must be naturally dried for a long time to soften the tannins so as not to affect the quality of the wine; moreover, after the oak barrels are used, the impact will be different in different years .Generally speaking, oak barrels that have been used for more than four years are called "old barrels", and their preciousness can be multiplied several times.

It is precisely because of the special effect of the barrel that the vintage of the winery is so important.The longer the history of the winery, the more oak barrels they have in reserve, and the more complete their research on the barrels, the more outstanding the wine they brew.

These wine barrels in Yunding Ranch were bought by Jack himself in France in the famous Trance Forest area. The oak trees in this area are considered to be the best storage for Pinot Noir.This batch of wine barrels is truly valuable and has been used for more than ten years, and it is also one of the most important wealth of the ranch.

Now, these oak barrels are all filled with red wine, and the wine cellar that once accumulated dust is full of charming atmosphere again.

"Fourteen, let me tell you, this batch of oak barrels is really outstanding." Tony couldn't help but dance with excitement, "Seeing them, I finally believe that this place used to be an excellent wine barrel. Not to mention the previous wines, but these wine barrels are definitely top-level."

"Comparable to Romanee-Conti?" Lu Li joked.

Tony nodded vigorously, the affirmative expression made Lu Li stunned, and Tony burst out laughing, "I mean, if it's just wine barrels, these wine barrels are comparable to Yeqiu."

Lu Li was a little surprised. The ranch always presented Liz's gifts in front of his eyes in a casual way.Who would have thought that a batch of priceless treasures were placed in this dilapidated wine cellar?
The fingertips touched the surface of the wine barrel. Surprisingly, the surface was not rough, but rather smooth. The thin layer of maple lacquer made the hand feel wonderful.However, the occasional wine stains that fall down make people can clearly feel the traces of time.

"Now I'm looking forward to this batch of wine even more." Tony didn't notice that Lu Li was lost in thought, he was still immersed in his excitement, "When we were brewing, Morgan and the others said that this The quality of a batch of Pinot Noir is better than expected, and the aroma is not only rich, but also rich in layers. I told them that our land is magical, and the products of organic farms have also been affirmed.”

Tony's excitement interrupted Lu Li's thoughts, and he came back to his senses, "Can I taste it now? I mean, wine doesn't need to be fermented for a period of time before the flavor can slowly emerge, right?"

Recall that the bottle of Romanee-Conti at the previous auction was known, and it had been fermented for 25 years.

Young wines tend to have heavy tannins, even sourness, making it hard to drink.Although this is not a rule, there are some wines that are best tasted in one or two years; but overall, it is true.

This batch of wine from Yunding Ranch has just finished brewing. If you taste it now, wouldn't it be very exciting?

Tony nodded, then shook his head again, "Yes, that's not true. Wine does need to be fermented, but for the winery, we need to identify changes in the taste all the time. Only in this way can we truly understand each Flavors and layers of bottled wine."

Lu Li suddenly realized.

Although he hadn't been exposed to really high-end wines when he was in the Olive Garden before, and customers would often order wines of special vintages, in fact, the most new wines in the warehouse are new wines.

Firstly, it is because new wine is cheap, and for Olive Garden, it is convenient to purchase goods with small profits but quick turnover; secondly, it is because small wineries often brew more new wine for the sake of operating cycle, which does not require too long fermentation time and does not require too much time. It takes too much precipitation time, and you can taste it after half a year or a year.

Tony took out a special glass container, which can hold about one liter of liquid, then walked to the side of the oak barrel, and was about to turn on the tap, but he stopped for a while, raised his head and looked at Lu Li, "How about it, Do you want to try it? This is the ranch's first glass of wine, and this honor should be left to you."

Lu Li chuckled and waved his hands, "No, this batch of wine was brewed by you, I think it should be poured by you yourself. What's more, I'm not sure, your hands Is there any magical power, or is there any special technique, I don't want to destroy it."

This is an obvious joke.

Tony laughed out loud. "I like the way it says, magic hands."

Lu Li frowned, and looked at Tony with disgust, "Why do you feel so dirty when you say the same thing? Are you thinking about other things?"

Tony shrugged his shoulders, and replied meaningfully, "Who knows." Then he smiled triumphantly, turned on the tap, and the dark red wine gurgled down, but the dark red was not sticky. It is thick, but reveals a pearl-colored fluorescence, flowing down like silk, with a different kind of beauty.

This was the first time that Lu Li saw the wine flowing out of the wine barrel with his own eyes, and it felt amazing.Not only because of the influence of wine barrels and wine cellars, but also because he personally participated in the whole brewing process, watching the grapes picked one by one, then evolved into grape juice, and finally fermented into wine.

Not only the joy of harvest, but also the joy of creation.

I didn't feel it at first, but after Tony turned off the tap, the rich aroma of wine began to spread in the air, and I couldn't help but stay on the golden copper faucet, looking at the remaining wine, It dripped down drop by drop, and the penetrating red glowed like a fountain of immortality with magical effects.

"At least visually, I think it has already won over Romanee-Conti." Lu Li's teasing made Tony laugh again.

Tony picked up the glass wine jug and made a display gesture, "Since you are so confident, then, next, we need to taste it."

Lu Li and Tony left the wine cellar and walked towards the main house.

Lu Li couldn't help but feel a little nervous. After more than half a year of cultivation, planting, harvesting and brewing, now it's time for the wine to be tested.

Although it is said that the new wine is still not accurate, and the flavor and taste will change with the precipitation of time; but generally speaking, the taste of the new wine has already laid the foundation. future heights.This is not some kind of sports inspirational movie, relying on hard work can catch up from behind. In the field of wine, the foundation of new wine has already determined the limit of the future.

Thinking of this, Lu Li couldn't help becoming a little nervous.This is much more exciting than a thoroughbred.Because if the offspring of thoroughbred horses do not meet expectations, they can do the second and third matings; but if the wine is not satisfactory, this is a natural problem, and they can replace the soil of the entire land , but it cannot replace the weather, rain, and wind in Texas.

Cole said that the wines of the Beech Ranch used to be quite famous, although not as good as the horse farm.

Lu Li wondered how much positive impact it could have after being watered by the spring of space for so long.Now, if it is a mule or a horse, it should be pulled out for a walk.

(End of this chapter)