Balance is key to winemaking

If Scott Harvey Wines’s awards at the World Wine Championships are to be a gauge, then lower alcohol wines have become attractive to judges and enthusiasts. According to Napa Valley winemaker, Scott Harvey, balance is the key to winemaking.

Lower alcohol wine represents Scott Harvey’s commitment to making wine that is drinkable, enjoyable, and enhances good food. New tastes in wine are catching up to the Napa Valley winemaker’s training.  

Richard Halstead, CEO of global market research Wine Intelligence says, “Alcoholic strength of wine is an issue that consumers take seriously across the world." According to Drinks International, "there has been widespread criticism of 15.5% alcohol blockbusters and requests for winemakers to aim lower.”

Trained in Germany in the Old World style, Mr Scott believes that balance is critical to good wine making results. In a recent interview with Dan Berger, writer for the Sonoma County, California – based newspaper and online site, Press Democrat, the writer explored the winemaker’s perspective on the place of alcohol level in wine making. “Balance is the key to all great wines," said Scott Harvey.

“I prefer to make my Napa Valley Cabernets come in at 13.5%.” Many Napa Valley cult wines come in with labels from 14.5% to 15.5% “Although from the way they taste, they could well be at least 1.5% higher,” he said.

“I pick wine grapes when the grapes still taste like Cabernet grapes or Zinfandel grapes—rather than like raisins. Most winemakers are afraid to pick this early, but I listen to the grapes.”  Mr Scott picks Cabernet grapes at the moment when they are red fruits, not black fruits, turning into raisins. It’s what he calls “The Perfect Moment” as seen in his video.

A lower alcohol wine can be an award-winning wine. For example, Jana Cathedral Napa Valley 2006 ($65) has an alcohol level of 13.5%. This limited production Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the winner of a double Gold Medal at the America Fine Wine Competition. “I made this wine in the European style with low pH and low alcohol, so it pairs very well with an elegant and rich meal,” Scott explained. “I named it for Cathedral Rock in SedonaNIKE