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The biochemical process of fermentation itself creates a lot of residual heat which can take the must out of the ideal temperature range for the wine. Typically, white wine is fermented between 18–20 °C (64–68 °F) though a wine maker may choose to use a higher temperature to bring out some of the complexity of the wine.
In traditional and smaller-scale wine making, the harvested grapes are sometimes crushed by trampling them barefoot or by the use of inexpensive small scale crushers. These can also destem at the same time. However, in larger wineries, a mechanical crusher/destemmer is used. The decision about destemming is different for red and white wine making.
The balance is no longer based only on alcohol and acidity: this is the factor that explains the difficulty of making a white wine. For sweet and fortified white wines the presence of sugar adds a parameter to balance the alcohol and acidity. Maturing in the barrel gives wine a wooded touch and tannins from the oak give it structure.
The harvesting of wine grapes is one of the most crucial steps in the process of wine-making. The time of harvest is determined primarily by the ripeness of the grape as measured by sugar , acid and tannin levels with winemakers basing their decision to pick based on the style of wine they wish to produce.
Grapes contain natural pectolytic enzymes responsible for softening the grape berries during ripening, but these are not active under wine-making conditions (due to pH level, SO 2, and alcohol.) Therefore, fungal pectolytic enzymes are often added to white must to break up pectins, decrease the viscosity of the juice, and speed up settling.
A white wine that is lighter, more acidic, and fruity, like a German riesling or sauvignon blanc, will likely pair well with light, zesty dishes like seafood and shellfish.