Course:FNH200/Projects/2024/Final Assignment: Jeremy, Shawn, Yazen, Miriam
White Wine
History of Wine & Fermentation
The history of wine fermentation can be traced back to its earliest evidence in the Neolithic period. Residue of the alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes or other fruits can be found in clay jars and containers over 5000 years old in Ancient Georgia, Egypt, and Mesopotamia [3]. While the production of alcohol and the fermentation of fruit sugars may have occurred prior to this, the use of clay jars indicates that this was an intentional preservation method to mitigate the risk of water-borne diseases [4]. The jars were also found to have a coating of resin on the inside, contributing to the antibacterial properties of this storage method, and imparting a distinct flavor [4]. Evidence of early wine fermentation was also discovered in Iran, Armenia, and Sicily, before its more culturally widespread cultivation in ancient Greece and Rome [3]. Beyond the use of ancient clay jars, the Romans popularized the use of wooden barrels to transport great quantities. After the fall of the Roman Empire, winemaking was refined by French monasteries in the 12th century; this is sometimes referred to as “The Golden Age of Wine” [1].
Wine was also used in religious practices including Greek and Roman worship of ancient gods, Christian communion, traditions in Judaism, and Asian prosperity ceremonies. Conversely, some religions and belief systems such as Buddhism and Islam condemn the consumption of alcohol; while it is a symbol of prosperity and a ritual of belief for some, it is considered self-gratifying and excessive to others. Therefore, religion plays a significant role in the geographical distribution and history of wine production [4].
Canadian Wine-based Regulations
Canadian Labelling Requirements
Labelling regulations in Canada require white wine labels to include essential information such as the product name, volume, alcohol content, and origin. The labelling must adhere to the standards set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to ensure that consumers are provided with truthful information and non-misleading information [6].
International Labelling Requirements
Wines that are blended with domestic and imported content need to have labels that clearly indicate the countries of origin. International wines may be labelled as "International blend from imported and domestic wines" or "International blend from domestic and imported wines," depending on the proportion of domestic or imported wines [6].
Wine Labels in Canada are governed by the Food and Drug Act (1985) and the Safe Food for Canadians Act (2012).
"The Acts and their related Regulations are enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which covers health standards, safety standards, food packaging, labelling and advertising. The CFIA ensures that wine makers abide by wine labelling requirements when selling Canadian wine in the domestic market." [6].
White wine production in Canada must comply with the broader regulations under the Food and Drugs Act, and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. These laws include net quantity declarations, standardized container sizes, and overall food safety [6].
Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) Certification & Standards
In Canada, white wines are certified under the Vintners Quality Alliance system, applying to both wines produced in British Columbia and Ontario [6]. The VQA certification system began in 1989 and required that 100% of grapes used must be grown in the specific provinces of (British Columbia or Ontario) [6]. Moreover, all wines, including white wines, must meet the strict standards in regards to grape varieties, winemaking techniques, and labelling. For example, if a wine was made from a specific vineyard, 85% or more of it needing to be from that area [6].
Wine Quality Regulations
Each wine is monitored and tracked, verifying the origin from harvest to bottle. Wineries often go through audits and inspections to confirm that each bottle is made to match what the labels claim [5]. Grape and Wine quality is regulated by established compositional standards that define acceptable grape varieties and winemaking practices. Standards like the VQA is designed to ensure that wineries meet the baseline quality level, prohibiting cost saving practices such as, adding water or grape concentrate into the wine [5].
Manufacturing Processes & Locations
The modern wine manufacturing process is a complex blend of tradition and technology heavily influenced by the type of facility and the scale of production. In Canada, wine regions such as Ontario and British Columbia showcase a wide range of facilities, each contributing to the country’s growing reputation for quality wine. Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula is particularly notable for its large-scale operations, where vast vineyards are supported by advanced processing equipment, extensive tank farms, and automated bottling lines capable of producing millions of bottles every year. These facilities are designed to maximize efficiency while maintaining high standards of quality, making Ontario the most productive wine region in Canada1.
In British Columbia, the Okanagan Valley stands out as a hub for smaller, boutique wineries. Unlike Ontario, the wineries in this region are typically smaller, with less expansive vineyards. However, what they lack in size, they make up for in quality, producing limited quantities of wine that reflect the unique terroir of the region. The facilities here focus on crafting high-quality wines with a strong sense of place, often using less automation and more hands-on techniques to maintain control over the production process1.
The scale of wine manufacturing plays a crucial role in shaping the production process. Large-scale wineries depend on automation to handle the large volumes of grapes that pass through each stage of production—harvesting, crushing, fermentation, clarification, and aging. Mechanical harvesters collect grapes at peak ripeness, automated crushers and presses make sure that the juice is extracted quickly and consistently2. Industrial fermentation tanks that are equipped with temperature and humidity controls allow for precise management of the fermentation process. This is crucial for developing the desired flavors in the wine3.
Post-fermentation processes such as racking and malolactic fermentation, further refine the wine by removing impurities and softening its acidity. Aging, whether in oak barrels or stainless steel tanks, allows the wine to develop additional complexity, with large-scale operations carefully controlling conditions to ensure consistency across large batches. The final steps of bottling and labeling are also highly automated in large-scale production, ensuring that the wine is packaged efficiently and ready for distribution3.
Modern Packaging Methods
Amidst an increasing demand of convenience within all food commodities, wine products were not unaffected. Packaging practices for wine have diversified to include glass bottles, bag-in-box systems, aluminum cans, and tetra packs. Modern packaging methods have expanded to include a diverse variety, each with their own respective advantages and disadvantages over other packaging methods. While some materials such as glass, may provide better atmospheric protection against exterior stresses, aluminum cans & bag-in-box systems provide a sense of convenience that glass containers cannot. Ultimately, each packaging method provides their own set of advantages and disadvantages. [2]
| Packaging Material | Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass Bottles |
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| Bag-in-box |
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| Aluminum & Alloy Tin Cans |
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| Tetra Packs |
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Wine's Contributions to the Global Trade & Supply
As of 2023, the total value of exported wine from all countries was estimated to be roughly $38.9 billion USD, with a 8.4% increase over the course of the previous five years. While China and the USA are the top producers of beer, the majority of wine exporters are located among European and Australian countries. Top producers of wine are often in close proximity to areas with optimal climates for growth of vineyards, granting optimal and efficient methods of production.[7] [8]
| Ranked Exporting Countries of Wine | Economic Contribution (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1.) France | $ 12.9 billion |
| 2.) Italy | $ 8.4 billion |
| 3.) Spain | $ 3.2 billion |
| 4.) Chile | $ 1.5 billion |
| 5.) Australia | $ 1.4 billion |
| 6.) New Zealand | $ 1.29 billion |
| 7.) United States | $ 1.23 billion |
| 8.) Germany | $ 1.1 billion |
| 9.) Portugal | $ 1 billion |
| 10.) Argentina | $ 652.2 million |
FNH200 Final Exam Question
Given you are an owner for a commercial-level producer and outputs hundreds of wine bottles each day. What type of sterilization process would be most suitable for all glass containers prior to filling them with wine?
a.) Hot water baths
b.) Aseptic packaging
c.) Commercial sterilization
d.) Pasteurization
Answer: b. Aseptic packaging processes would be the best option as it ensures the sterilization of both the wine bottles and their environment. This process additionally allows some wines, which are more susceptible to spoilage a longer shelf-life.
References
- Beltrán Peralta, N., Aulet, S., & Vidal-Casellas, D. (2022). Wine and monasteries: Benedictine monasteries in Europe. Journal of Foodservice Business Research, 25(6), 652-683. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/15378020.2021.2024785
- Broadbent, J. (2024, June 28). The Pros and cons of sustainable wine packaging formats. Just Drinks. https://www.just-drinks.com/features/alternative-wine-packaging-formats/
- Chambers, P. J., & Pretorius, I. S. (2010). Fermenting knowledge: the history of winemaking, science and yeast research. EMBO reports, 11(12), 914-920. https://www.embopress.org/doi/epdf/10.1038/embor.2010.179
- Estreicher, S. K. (2002). From Fermentation to Transportation: Materials in the History of Wine. MRS Bulletin, 27(12), 991–994. doi:10.1557/mrs2002.309
- Wine making process: How to make wine: Wine of the month club. The International Wine of the Month Club. (n.d.). https://www.winemonthclub.com/the-wine-making-process
- Wine standards. Ontario Wine Appellation Authority. (2024, January 31). https://vqaontario.ca/vqa-wine-program/wine-standards/
- WINE LABELLING IN CANADA. Wine Growers Canada. (n.d.). https://www.winegrowerscanada.ca/canadian-wines/wine-labelling-in-canada/
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, July 11). List of wine-producing regions. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wine-producing_regions
- The wine production process - what you need to know. Atlas Scientific. (2023, July 10). https://atlas-scientific.com/blog/wine-production-process/
- Top Canadian wine regions to visit in 2024. WineTourism.com. (n.d.). https://www.winetourism.com/wine-country/canada
- Vinepair Staff. (2024a, July 22). These are the top 20 beer producing countries in the World (2024). VinePair. https://vinepair.com/booze-news/top-20-beer-producing-countries-2024/