Sampling at Mottura Winery uncovers an equipment malfunction
Day 10: September 11, 2023
Vineyard: Cantine Mottura, Tuglie, Puglia
Varietals: Negroamaro, Primitivo
Just over a year ago when Michele and I were traveling in Puglia, we met Teo for the first time here at Mottura. That initial conversation with Teo was the catalyst for what has now turned out to be this opportunity to shadow him and learn as much as possible about wine making from him.
Today was an example of what could (and does) go wrong with making wine. At times you can correct the mistakes, and at other times, there is not much else that can be done to salvage the grapes or must. Today, upon tasting the must from a fermentation tank, Teo discovered that the fermentation didn’t proceed as expected. There was a malfunction in either the temperature control and/or the valve system feeding the tank. As a result, the fermentation did not occur at the expected rate and the yeast was too stressed to be revived. The must had to be emptied from the tank, and fresh must from a recent delivery was used to replace the contents of the tank.