Wine making is not typically referred to as brewing, but rather as vinification. This distinction is important because the process of making wine involves a different set of techniques and terminology than brewing.
Brewing is the process of making beer, which involves mashing grains to extract sugars, boiling the wort with hops for flavor and aroma, and fermenting the liquid with yeast to produce alcohol. In brewing, the starches in the grains are converted into sugars through the mashing process, creating a malty liquid called wort.
On the other hand, wine making, or vinification, involves the fermentation of fruit juices, typically grapes, to produce alcohol. The grapes are crushed to release their juice, which is then fermented with yeast. The sugars naturally present in the grapes are converted into alcohol during this fermentation process.
While there are similarities between brewing and wine making, such as the fermentation of sugars to produce alcohol, the processes and terminology used in each are distinct. Wine making focuses on the fermentation of fruit juices, while brewing is centered around the conversion of starches into sugars through mashing.
I have personally experienced the differences between brewing and wine making through my own adventures in both realms. As a sommelier and brewer, I have witnessed the meticulous attention to detail that goes into crafting wine. From the careful selection of grapes to the precise fermentation and aging processes, wine making is a delicate art that requires patience and expertise.
On the other hand, brewing beer has its own unique charm. As a brewer, I have experimented with various grains, hops, and yeast strains to create different styles and flavors of beer. The mashing process, where the starches in the grains are converted into sugars, is a crucial step in brewing that sets it apart from wine making.
Wine making is not called brewing. While both processes involve the fermentation of sugars to produce alcohol, wine making focuses on the fermentation of fruit juices, while brewing centers around the conversion of starches into sugars through mashing. The terminology, techniques, and ingredients used in wine making and brewing are distinct, making them separate practices within the realm of fermentation.