Ripeness 101
Knowing when grapes are ripe depends on science, experience and a little luck
From the Apr 30, 2012, issue
Ask a dozen winemakers how they know their grapes are ripe enough to harvest and chances are you'll get a dozen different answers. Everyone agrees that high quality wine starts with properly ripened fruit. Yet the definition of ripeness remains notoriously elusive. Wine Spectator's Liza Gross explains.
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