Whether in a tank or a bin with a lid, open-top fermenting is a moderately advanced technique that, when performed correctly, can provide some very beneficial properties for creating exquisite red wines.
Benefits of Open Fermentation
- Builds a strong yeast with more oxygen exposure
- Allows heat to escape for more manageable fermentation temperatures
- A cap of skins and carbon dioxide produced by the yeast during alcoholic fermentation act as a blanket over the wine to protect it from outside elements
Ideal Vessels for Open-Fermenting
These and similar vessels provide quick access to the cap (the grape skins that rise to the top), allowing it to easily be punched down into the must.
