Fermentation

Yeast turning grape sugar into alcohol.

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Definition

Fermentation is when yeast turns the sugar in grape juice into alcohol and carbon dioxide. It is the core step that turns juice into wine. If all the sugar converts the wine is dry; stopping early leaves sweetness.

Why it matters for WSET

Fermentation is the starting point of every wine and decides its sweetness and style, a foundation across the WSET syllabus.

Example

Stopping fermentation early leaves sugar behind, making a sweet wine.

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