A fine glass of wine should take you straight to the vineyard where you can taste the sun shining on the grapes and the love and care put into the harvest and fermentation process. There are few Italian restaurants Orlando that can boast of an extensive wine cellar stocked with the most treasured Italian vintages. Christini’s Ristorante Italiano has one of the largest selections of wine in Central Florida.
Italy successfully grows a variety of grapes and vintners each put their own unique insights into the categories of wines they bottle. The cultivation of grapes has become more and more sophisticated over the years. However, the biggest decision in the wine making process is made by the vintner who must determine the optimum time for harvest. There is great pride in the heritage of each Italian winemaker. Grapes are then harvested (mainly by hand due to their delicate nature) into boxes or large gondolas.
From the vineyard, the grapes are put through a de-stemming process where the leaves and stems are separated and the grapes are crushed. Following the crushing processing, the juice is poured into fermentation vats where the actual fermentation will take place. This is where yeast is added to the grapes to initialize the fermentation process during which sugar is converted into alcohol. Carbon dioxide is produced as a byproduct and extruded through an intricate process.
Red wines are typically fermented with their skins on to enhance the flavor and body of the finished product. Upon completion of the first fermentation, the skins are pressed again to extract additional flavors. White wines are fermented without their skins as they tend to be bitter.
After fermentation, some types of wine are placed into oak barrels to continue aging. Oak helps the wine to develop flavors that cannot be replaced by stainless steel vats. The methodology of aging is unique to each vintner who decides how quickly or slowly the process will take and, of course, what method is used. The introduction of refrigeration to the fermentation and aging process has assisted Italian vintners in producing outstanding wines.
When the vintner decides the time is right, the wine is sent for bottling. Laws require that the wines are bottled within a sterile environment. The use of cap screw or corks (man-made or natural) can impact the finished product, and bottle selection is also the responsibility of the winemaker.
There are a wonderful selection of Italian wines to choose from at Christini’s and you are sure to find the perfect pairing for your meal. Our staff is thoroughly versed in assisting you to make the right selection from our wine cellar. Other Orlando Italian restaurants pale in comparison when it comes to the exquisite food and quality wines found at at Christini’s Ristorante Italiano. Please call for reservations.
