Modern Wine Making: Gaillac Wines

Visit to local Vineyard

Although the local traditions of wine making have started to die out, a new modern approach is being taken. Wine is being mass produced by large wine sellers. With the change, there are some positives. Wine has changed from being a simple table wine of low quality, to a wine rich in flavor. With wine being produced in large quantities for the public there are several factors that are considered. Wine varies in flavor due to the type of grapes that are grown, soil variety, and amount of water in the soil. Another factor that have been considered in wine making, is that changing seasons affect wine production. Grapes that are used before the colder seasons produce drier wines whereas grapes used from the colder seasons when the early frost comes produce sweeter wines.

Journal Entry: A Taste of Culture
On September 27, 2010, we visited one of the oldest vineyards in Gaillac! This was an experience like non other for me. We learned about how specific conditions can affect the outcome of wine. Some of these conditions include the type of grapes used, soil quality, amount of water in the soil, and the weather. The slightest change can make wine vary so much in flavor. A visit to a vineyard is not complete without a test of the final product. We taste tested four wines: a Rose, a White, a Dessert, and a Red. Wine tasting is more involved than I thought it would be. We were carefully instructed under Professor Gerry on the proper techniques in wine tasting. First, how does the color look? Secondly, what smell is present? Thirdly, don't drink but swish it around in your mouth and does it seem bitter, sweet, sour, or salty? Then spit and rinse with water. Wine is not something that you simply drink, but like any art, it is savored.


[Guided Tour, given on 27 September 2010, Chateau L'Enclos]

[Wine Tasting Class Conducted on 13 November 2010 with Professor Gerry]