Definition: Concentration of musts

A process for removing water from grape must, used during inclement weather during the harvest. Its purpose is to combat the dilution of grape concentration. Several studies have implemented more or less revolutionary techniques, starting with harvest drying tunnels and cryoconcentration (by freezing the water fraction of the grapes). More recently, membrane separation techniques such as microfiltration, reverse osmosis, pervaporation and electrodialysis are being adapted to the vintages of the year 2000. For the time being, these separation techniques in oenology are highly dependent on investment costs and the performance of the equipment, in terms of throughput and selectivity, in order to provide significant opportunities.