The
harvesting of wine grapes (
Vintage) is one of the most crucial steps in the process of
winemaking. The time of harvest is determined primarily by the
ripeness of the grape as measured by
sugar,
acid and
tannin levels with winemakers basing their decision to pick based on the style of wine they wish to produce. The
weather can also shape the timetable of harvesting with the threat of heat, rain, hail, and frost which can damage the grapes and bring about various
vine diseases. In addition to determining the time of the harvest, winemakers and vineyard owners must also determine whether to use hand pickers or
mechanical harvesters. The harvest season typically falls between August & October in the
Northern Hemisphere and February & April in the
Southern Hemisphere. With various climate conditions,
grape varieties, and wine styles the harvesting of grapes could happen in every month of the calendar year somewhere in the world. In the
New World it is often referred to as the
crush.