Wine Production : Vine to Bottle - Vinum Vine

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WINE PRODUCTION
Fig. 12.3
Inert gas injected into tank press
the usable juice, with the finest must being from the first pressing.
A tank press (Fig. 12.3) is a fully enclosed pneumatic press, which
can be flushed before use with an inert gas such as nitrogen or carbon
dioxide, thus helping to eliminate the risk of oxidation of the must.
Pneumatic presses are particularly suitable for white wine vinification,
the gentle process helping to retain aromatics from the
grapes. Nowadays, the press or even a whole bank of presses may
be computer controlled, adding to efficiency (and capital costs).
Pneumatic presses are expensive – up to £40 000 depending upon
capacity – and they are only used for a few days in the winemaker’s
year. Thus, the owners of small wineries are very keen to proudly
display their recent purchases to any visiting wine lover who appears
at all interested.
12.1.5 Vertical basket press
This is the traditional press, as developed by the monks of the Middle
Ages. A wooden plate is lowered onto grapes contained in a basket