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Wine Facts

Wine Sizes

• One ton of grapes become about 60 cases of wine. But it depends greatly on how much juice is produced.
• One acre will produce 2 to 5 tons for good wine and double that for bulk wines.

• A bottle today is 750 millimeters (which is 25.4 ounces) and restaurants typically pour 5 to 6 glasses from a bottle.
• A barrel holds 225 to 225 liters (59.4 to 60.2 gallons).
• A hogshead holds 300 liters (79.3 gallons).
• A puncheon holds 300 or 500 liters.
• A pipe holds 550 to 630 liters and is used for maturing or shipping

Ampelography

is the science of vine identification and description. It is the study of shoots, canes, buds, flowers, clusters, seeds and grapes.

There are some 24,000 names for varieties of wine grapes. It is estimated there are 5,000 truly different varieties since there are numerous names for the same variety depending on where they are grown. About 150 varieties are planted in commercially significant amounts.

Grapevines belong to the plant genus "vitis" and 99.9% of wine grapes are "vitis vinefera." The concord grape of America is "vitis labrusca."

Wine Glass Notes

• Consider using one nice style for both reds and whites as long as it has an ample bowl and narrows to the rim to present the aroma to your nose.
• Fill a glass no more than half way so you can swirl to release flavor and aroma.
• Bigger classes are better than small ones.
• Glasses that are smooth and clear better show the wine color.
• A thin rim will allow the wine to glide into your mouth.
• Long stems are for holding the class without using the bowl, which can warm the wine.
• Flutes really are better for seeing and enjoying the steady stream of bubbles.
• Wash glasses by hand with warm water and just a little soap, then air dry and wipe clean with a soft cloth.
• American's call rivulets of wine running down the inside of the wine glass "legs." Germans call them church windows. Spaniards call them tears.

Oregon Winery Business

Acreage for grapes in Oregon is growing. In 1997 the state had 7,800 acres in grapes. The number grew to 17,400 acres by 2007. The average Oregon vineyard is 22 acres. In 2007 sales of Oregon wine was $207.8 million from 370 wineries