Parts of the Vine

When we talk about this plant, we are directly talking about the wine in question. Since this fruit is part of a vineyard and, therefore, it is the main ingredient in the making of this drink that is so important and appreciated in gastronomy.

In addition, it is a highly appreciated product in Spanish gastronomy, regardless of its place of origin, it is a hallmark of our gastronomy and is rooted in our land.

We must bear in mind that not all parts of the grape are used in the final result, but they are all relevant when it comes to obtaining a first-class product.

The parts of the vine are so important, such as where it is planted, the type of harvest it needs and, of course, its maturation. Now we are going to briefly explain each and every one of the parts of the grape.

• The root: It is buried in the ground and is responsible for absorbing nutrients for the proper development of the plant.

• The trunk: It is the main support and the one that holds the plant. It can be larger or smaller depending on the variant.

• The shoots: They are those green shoots that come out of the wood and are in charge of supporting the bunches of grapes.

• The leaves: Responsible for photosynthesis, they usually have a spiral shape around the stem.

• The buds: On the opposite side to the leaves, it is perhaps the most important part of the plant. As the bunches  will sprout from this part.

• The tendrils: It has a climbing function and is part of a vine, since it entangles itself on the surfaces giving that notable form.

• The fruit: Finally, the grape itself, from which the drink is extracted, contains seeds inside.

Each and every one of these parts of the vine is very important to have a good harvest. We must take care of the plant so that it is healthy and in this way it can produce juicier grapes.

In addition, it is important to always keep in mind that not all maturations are the same. Not all parts of a vineyard must be of the same fruit, they can be combined to achieve incredible nuances.

In fact, some types of wines are combinations of different grapes, which provide the palate with very characteristic and special flavours. Once we have it clear, it’s time to prepare the vintage.

These parts of the vine are shared by all the vineyards, whether they come from the Ribeira Sacra or from other Denomination of Origin vines.

From vine to wine

The process to be able to process the parts of the grape is complex and at the same time very traditional. First, the characteristics of the grapes for the wine must be seen, since not all of them have the same maturation. Some are later, others earlier, some have an easy harvest and others more complex.

Once we have harvested the important parts of the vine, they must be processed in order to extract all the juice. Once this part is ready, it must be introduced into a barrel to obtain that characteristic taste.

It is important to keep in mind that leaving it to rest and the wood that is used will give very interesting nuances to the final result. In addition, other ingredients can be added to give it different flavours, typical of the place of origin.

Once some time has passed, the parts of the vine will have become wine, one of the most important companions in gastronomy. It depends on the characteristics of the grapes for wine, that a red or white will have been obtained. But the conclusion is a delicacy to the palate.