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Paul E. Lehmann[_7_]

wrote:

> Hello All
>
> What factors and winemaking techniques can affect the final body of
> the finished wine?
>
> I'm trying to increase the final body are a Cab Sauv/Carmenere blend.
> My wines are medium bodied wines at best. I've inocculated with MLF
> cultures. I'm wondering what I can do in future batches to improve
> the body, without getting too much into specifics of my past batches.

I would think that California or Chilean grapes should yield sufficient
body. It is felt that a higher alcohol may contribute to body but with
California and Chilean grapes, I would think that this is not an issue.
A slight amount of residual sugar could also give the perception of more
body. You could do an experiment and add a drop of stevia (natural non
fermentable sweetener) to a glass of wine and note the results. I think
that excessive tannins might also give the preception of a "thinner" wine
so you may wish to do some trials in this area. I would think that your
California and Chilean grapes are NOT low pH so this is probably not a
contributor to a perception of lack of body.

>
> Furthermore, I would like to know if these factors increase body and
> mouthfeel, or have little effect:
> - Performing MLF? (I assumed it increases body/mouthfeel)
> - Longer maceration time?
> - Higher primary fermentation temperature?
> - Fruit quality?
> - Higher Brix level?
> - Barrel aging with evaporation?
> (anything else)
>
> Some background:
> I've been making wines for a relatively short time, about 2.5 years.
> I've made a few kits, and two batches with fresh Chilean Cab Sauv and
> Carmenere grapes, & one Calif. Cab Sauv. In my past, I've made home
> brew beer for 20 years from all-grain and have controlled the body of
> the beer by controlling the mash temperature. Higher temp mashes
> create a faster mash but leave unfermentable dextrins which is the
> main factor increasing the body and mouthfeel of the final beer.
>
> Any insight or opinion is welcome.
> Thank you
> Dave J