The difference between wine and must lies in the stage of the winemaking process and the characteristics of the grape juice. Must is essentially the freshly squeezed juice obtained from grapes, while wine is the end product after fermentation.
When grapes are harvested, they are typically crushed to extract the juice. This juice is known as must and represents the first stage of winemaking. Must can vary in its composition, depending on factors such as grape variety, ripeness, and winemaker preferences.
One key difference between must and wine is that must still contains the seeds and skins of the grapes. These components are usually removed shortly after extraction to prevent any bitterness in the final product. The removal of seeds and skins also helps to clarify the juice and improve the overall taste.
Must is often cloudy and may have a slightly sweet taste due to the natural sugars present in the grapes. It is these sugars that will be converted into alcohol during the fermentation process. Must also contains various other compounds, such as acids and tannins, which contribute to the flavor and structure of the wine.
Once the must has been obtained, it undergoes fermentation, where yeast is added to convert the sugars into alcohol. This process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the desired style of wine. As fermentation progresses, the must transforms into wine, with the sugars being consumed and alcohol being produced.
After fermentation, the wine is typically aged and/or clarified before being bottled. This aging process allows the flavors and aromas to develop further, resulting in a more complex and refined product. It is during this stage that the wine can undergo various treatments, such as oak aging or blending with other wines, to achieve the desired characteristics.
The main difference between wine and must lies in their stage of development and composition. Must is the freshly squeezed grape juice that still contains the seeds and skins, while wine is the end product after fermentation. Must is the starting point of winemaking, while wine is the final result that has undergone fermentation, aging, and clarification.