The cultivation of wine is no longer just about the harvest. Advances in technology are reshaping every aspect of the process, from the picking to storage, shipping, and distribution. Modern vineyards are leveraging precision viticulture; techniques that use GPS, drones, satellite imagery, site based weather forecasting and soil sensor tech.
By measuring sugar levels, temperature, and vine stress, wineries can pick the grapes at their peak, leading to higher-quality wines. In Napa Valley, growers are using drones to monitor vine canopies, helping to spot water stress early, so they can optimize irrigation and harvest times accordingly.
Storage and Shipping: A Technical Symphony
Once the wine is produced, storing and shipping it requires meticulous attention. Wineries use climate-controlled warehouses to ensure the optimal temperature and humidity for aging. You might argue this is the modern version of a traditional wine cellar. That is true.
Studies show that maintaining a consistent storage temperature between 50°F-55°F (10°C-13°C) extends the aging potential of wines by years. Even during shipping, wineries use smart containers with temperature and humidity sensors to monitor the conditions the wine is exposed to during transit.
Bottling
“The year 1680 has been stated as when the Benedictine monk first used cork for sealing wine. Previously stoppers had generally been made of wood wrapped in hemp soaked in olive oil.”
Keith Grainger
Cork: Traditionalist
Corks have been used for centuries to seal wine bottles. Natural cork is permeable, allowing small amounts of oxygen into the bottle, which can enhance the aging process of certain wines. Traditional cork harvesting is a sustainable industry, as cork trees are not cut down, but stripped of their bark every 9-12 years. However, there are concerns about the increasing costs of natural cork.
One point to note is that not all wines are bottled to “age.” The majority of wines produced today are intended to be consumed within a few years of bottling. According to those that know; “cork promotes the micro-oxygenation of the wine, making the progressive evolution of the bouquet possible, helping the wine to mature and keep fresh.”
Plastic Corks: Hipster
Plastic corks, or synthetic corks, gained popularity in the late 20th century. They’re more cost-effective, easy to produce, and prevent cork taint—a musty odor caused by natural cork’s interaction with wine. ” Plastic corks are neither flesh, nor fowl; they inhabit an intellectual gray area, much to the delight of those that torpor after tippling.
Screw Caps: Philistine
In regions like Australia and New Zealand, screw caps are touted for their airtight seal and reduced risk of cork taint. They are ideal for wines meant for early consumption and have grown in popularity due to their convenience. “New Zealand is leading the charge, with over 95% of their wines being capped by screw caps instead of traditional cork. “
The good part is that I can get Bulgarian, Italian, Californian, French, Spanish and New Zealand wines in my local shop. Global supply chains mean we can continue this argument over a reasonably priced, high quality, perfectly aged, bottle of wine.
