The present invention discloses a process for preparing a sparkling alcoholic beverage resulting from the maceration of hops and/or its derivatives in wine with the addition of wine concentrate, vegetable water and/or water, fruit or vegetable concentrate and/or sugar, in order to reduce the alcohol content of wine, and which is gasified by a second alcoholic fermentation and/or addition of carbon dioxide. Through this process a sparkling alcoholic beverage having between 5 and 15% alcohol, a sugar content between 0.1 and 200 g/L, with a total acidity between 4 and 8 g/L is obtained having hops aroma, flavor and bitterness combined with aromas inherent to wine.

A grape treatment and wine making process characterised by the steps of: cleaning a first container by means of a fluid mixed with ozone; placing the grapes in said first container in closed vats and/or buildings at controlled temperature; diffusing a fluid mixed with ozone within said vats and/or buildings at controlled temperature; cleaning said grapes placed in said first container by means of a fluid mixed with ozone; cleaning a press by means of a fluid mixed with ozone; pressing said grapes with said press to produce must; cleaning a second container by means of a fluid mixed with ozone; placing said must in said second container to produce fermented must; cleaning a third container by means of a fluid mixed with ozone; placing said fermented must (wine) in said third container.

Described herein is a system, methods, processes and nutrient-rich products-by-process, which are generated by the conversion of winery derivatives into nutrient-rich products in an ecological manner. Integration of this system into a winery assists the winery to manage its previously-considered waste nutrient-rich products in an ecological manner, which can also optionally provide them with a novel revenue stream. The system, methods, and processes are used to convert winemaking derivatives into bioactive nutrient-rich products comprising antioxidants and other bioactive molecules that reside within the marc and lees. These nutrient-rich products can be used as natural flavour, texture and color enhancers, in addition to nutritional ingredients to fortify processed foods and consumer recipes. They can also be used as health supplements and in the cosmetic industry.

A device (12) for treating must, comprising a duct (14) for the flow of said must, having an inlet end (16) and an outlet end (18), characterized in that it comprises inside the duct (14) cutting means (20) comprising at least one rotating cutting blade (22) interfering at least partially with the must flow.

A method of introducing yeast into a fruit juice such as grape must to be fermented is disclosed. The method comprises feeding dry yeast into a flowing stream of the fruit juice and delivering the flowing stream of fruit juice with the yeast in it to a mixer (10). The fruit juice and yeast emerging from the mixer is fed into a fermentation tank. The yeast can include nutrients selected from inactivated yeasts, yeast autolysates, yeast cell hulls, yeast extracts, amino acids, peptides, proteins, sterols, ergosterol, thiamin, biotin, pantothenic acid, niacin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, minerals and inorganic nitrogen in the form of ammonium salts.

An apparatus and method are described for the separation of juice from pulp which is useful in the making of wine. The apparatus includes a bin and insert that are rotatably connected, by a hinge, for example. In certain embodiments, the insert is a shelf with a drain that separates the juice from the pulp. The method includes providing a mixture of pulp and juice to a transport bin. The pulp and juice are separated and stored separately in the bin, and are unloaded at the same time.

An apparatus for the production of red wine is provided. This compact device is suitable for home and hobby use. The fermenting wine is contained inside a single-use plastic bag, eliminating cleaning. A reusable rubber bladder is inflated periodically to squeeze the cap and disperse it. At the conclusion of the fermentation, a perforated device is inserted into the fermentation bag and pneumatic bladders are sequentially inflated to press out the wine while retaining the waste skins and seeds.

A method is described for loading a plant product, preferably must or grape, inside a fermentation tank (12) comprising on its top a loading mouth (14), comprising the steps of: moving a quantity of plant product by putting it inside a container (50) coupled to a guide (22) arranged to guide it up above the loading mouth and, there, and transferring said amount inside the tank.

The method ensures easy handling of the product.

A method of introducing yeast into a fruit juice such as grape must to be fermented is disclosed. The method comprises feeding dry yeast into a flowing stream of the fruit juice and delivering the flowing stream of fruit juice with the yeast in it to a mixer (10). The fruit juice and yeast emerging from the mixer is fed into a fermentation tank. The yeast can include nutrients selected from inactivated yeasts, yeast autolysates, yeast cell hulls, yeast extracts, amino acids, peptides, proteins, sterols, ergosterol, thiamin, biotin, pantothenic acid, niacin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, minerals and inorganic nitrogen in the form of ammonium salts.

A fermentation basket for suspension in a fermentation tank during wine fermentation which includes a perforated bottom side, at least one perforated vertical side, an open top side having an upper edge with a circumference or perimeter, cable or chain connecting elements disposed around said upper edge for connecting a hoist cable or chain to hoist said filtration basket, and hanging structure disposed around said upper edge for suspending said filtration basket in the interior of a fermentation tank such that said bottom side is spaced apart from the bottom of the fermentation tank.