Sylvia from WordifyScience. One week has passed since the picturesque landscapes of Aljezur, Portugal, played host to the Atlasland Wine Harvest 2023. It is time to rewind the clock and relive the enchanting moments of this extraordinary event, where a community of wine enthusiasts, nature lovers, and sustainability advocates gathered to craft the future of Atlasland's exceptional organic wines.
Introduction
A week ago, the picturesque village of Aljezur in the Western Algarve, Portugal, played host to a remarkable event—the Atlasland Wine Harvest 2023. Now that the sun has set on this unforgettable experience, it is time to look back on a week filled with the magic of organic winemaking, where nature's bounty was transformed into the promise of exceptional wines.
© Sabine Büttner (2023). www.sabinebuettner.de instagram: sabinebuettnerphotography
The Harvesting Experience: A Journey of Discovery
From the moment participants arrived, there was an air of anticipation. The vineyards, basking in the Aljezur sun, were ripe with grapes, ready to be handpicked and transformed into the next vintage of Atlasland wines. But it was not just the hand-harvesting that played a pivotal role in this year's harvest; it was also the use of the impressive wine press, capable of holding up to 1 ton of grapes at once.
Highlights from the Week
Grape Picking: Enthusiastic volunteers joined seasoned winemakers in the vineyards each morning. The harvest was meticulous; only the finest grapes were selected, ensuring the highest quality for the future wines.
Wine Tasting: Participants had the privilege of tasting grapes fresh from the vine, gaining a deep appreciation for the raw materials of winemaking. The vineyard's rich biodiversity was palpable in the flavors and aromas of the grapes. In the break time, wines from the previous harvest were served, which had another motivating effect on all the participants to further carry on with the meticulous harvest.
Hands-On Experience: The heart of winemaking beats in the cellar, where grapes are transformed into wine. Participants took an active role in sorting and processing the grapes, gaining insight into the initial stages of fermentation.
The Wine Press: A Key Player in the Process
The wine press is a fundamental tool in winemaking, especially when working with larger quantities of grapes. At Atlasland, tradition meets modernity, and this year's harvest saw the use of a state-of-the-art wine press, capable of handling substantial volumes of grapes at one time.
The Process in Action
Loading the Press: Once the grapes were selected, they were carefully loaded into the wine press. The capacity of this press, capable of handling up to 1 ton of grapes, allowed for efficient processing and minimized handling, preserving the grapes' integrity.
Manual stomping: Once the press was loaded to the top, the grapes had to be stomped manually by feet, in order to increase the capacity of the press. This seemed to be one of the most fun parts of the entire process!
Gentle Extraction: The wine press's hydraulic mechanism allowed for a gentle extraction of juice from the grapes. This is crucial in winemaking, as excessive force can extract bitter tannins and affect the overall quality of the wine.
Pressing Cycles: The press was operated in cycles, with each cycle applying increasing pressure to the grapes. This gradual process ensured a thorough extraction of juice while maintaining the desired balance of flavors and aromas.
Juice Collection: The extracted grape juice, now referred to as "must," flowed into fermentation tanks, where it would undergo the next stages of the winemaking process.
Celebrating Success
As the sun dipped below the horizon on the final evening of the Atlasland Wine Harvest 2023, a sense of accomplishment filled the air. Participants had not only experienced the magic of winemaking but had also contributed to the creation of wines that would carry the essence of Aljezur.
Looking Forward
As we reflect on this remarkable week, we are reminded that the Atlasland Wine Harvest is not just an event; it is a celebration of sustainability, nature, and the artistry of winemaking.
You may also find our earlier blog post about the science and art of organic winemaking interesting. The picture in that earlier post features some of the wines we tasted during this year's harvest.
Stay tuned for the unveiling of the Atlasland Wine Harvest 2023 vintage. It promises to be a testament to the harmony between human creativity and nature's brilliance, a wine that encapsulates the spirit of Aljezur and the commitment of Filippo Pozzi to organic winemaking. We look forward to sharing it with you. Cheers to a week of organic winemaking excellence!
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