Blending Tradition and Progress

Winemaking with a new stainless steel surface finish

By Kristina Osterman

Success in winemaking does not come easily. Winemakers must not only consider the grape variety, but also the specific terroir (geographical conditions) from which the grapes came and the season in which they were picked when planning the blending and aging processes that will be used to develop the flavour of the wine.

One major concern is undesired effects from the materials that come in contact with the wine during the production process. Winemakers must carefully select the materials they use; otherwise they risk altering the wine’s organoleptic characteristics (taste, smell, colour, and so on). The materials used for the wine tanks and the detergents and solutions used to clean them must undergo a range of tests to ensure that they will have no affect on the taste or aroma of the wine.

Winemakers pay careful attention to costs, but also to their environmental footprint during wine production, for example as it relates to cleaning of equipment.

A better surface finish for stainless steel
Stainless steel has long been the material of choice for key parts of the winemaking process, largely owing to its easy cleanability. What’s more, it is possible to optimize surface finishes for specific applications such as wine making.

One such proprietary stainless surface finish is InoxWINE™ from ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali Terni. This special surface finish, which can be produced on 304 (S30400) or 316L (S31603) cold-rolled stainless sheet, was developed after carrying out laboratory simulations of conditions used in winemaking processes. One particular issue focused on the formation of potassium bitartrate on equipment walls, and its ease of removal from various surface finishes.

The cleaning and maintenance of wine tanks require the use of large amounts of water-containing cleaning chemicals, which must be handled and disposed of carefully. The washing of tanks with this new finish is claimed to require less chemical and water usage, resulting in reduced waste disposal. The shorter washing cycle means the tanks are available for re-use sooner; which increases productivity, and reduces labour requirements.

Quality with efficiency
For winemakers around the world, success requires the manipulation of the variables nature provides and the management (or exclusion) of variables that can interfere with the desired result. Stainless steels with appropriate finishes enable the winemakers to concentrate on the things that make their products so unique to their regions and so special to those who love their wines.

ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali Terni Web site: www.acciaiterni.com

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