New research into earthenware pots us to ferment grapes shows that many wines may have been just as good as the wines we enjoy today.
Many of the misconceptions surrounding Roman wine stem from a lack of knowlge about fermentation in ceramic vessels, or dolia. Huge wine cellars containing hundrs of these vessels have been found throughout the former Roman Empire, but until now no one had really look closely at their role in ancient wine production.
Researchers have now done just that. They compar the Roman dolia with traditional Georgian wine barrels, which are still us today. There appear to be great similarities between Georgian and Roman wine production. There are also ancient texts that make it clear that the taste and aromas are comparable.
Pine resin and beeswax
Unlike the metal or concrete vessels us today, ceramic vessels are porous, which means that oxygen can get to them during fermentation. However, the Romans manag to limit this by coating the inside of the vessels with pitch made latest phone number database from pine resin, while today in Georgia beeswax is us. This controll contact with the air produces excellent wine with a typical nutty flavour and hints of dri fruit.
The shape of the barrel is also important. The round egg shape allows the fermenting must to move, resulting in a more balanc, rich flavor.
Traditional Wine Vessels
At the same time, the narrow base ensures that grape residues that sink to the bottom do not have too much contact Значението на сигурността на данните за застрахователните агенции with the wine, which prevents harsh, unpleasant flavors. Storing the barrels underground also allows winemakers to control the temperature and creates a stable environment in which the wine can ferment during its many months in the barrels.
But then you don’t have r, white or rosé wine. Nowadays, that is creat by more or less contact with grape skins. With white deb directory wine there is little or no contact with the grape skin, with rosé a little and with r wine even more. However, in the winery in ceramic vessels, the white wine also comes into contact with the grape skins and pips a lot. As a result, the color is often dark yellow or amber. Nowadays that is the popular orange wine.
