Over ripe grapes?

[Adame]

What are the disadvantages of letting your grapes get to ripe?

 

[Deezil]

They lose acidity, which alters the flavor of the grape and pushes the winemaker into adding acids to help the finished product find some kind of balance.. But that balance can be hard to find because alongside losing the acidity, over-ripe grapes also contain more sugars which ends in a higher alcohol level..

High alcohol, low acidity - and the winemaker strives for balance.
Not a very helpful start.

Then theres the actual flavor differences, even after balancing
It's just not the same

 

[mmadmikes1]

That and mold tastes like crap

 

[Deezil]

That and mold tastes like crap

Nice to see ya, Mike

 

[Adame]

What if you are growing hybrid grapes that are high in acid and low on sugar. Lacrosse, Foch, Catawba,

 

[ibglowin]

Sometimes they need some serious manipulation to bring down the acid. Blending with another grape lower in acid is also a good idea.

 

[spaniel]

What if you are growing hybrid grapes that are high in acid and low on sugar. Lacrosse, Foch, Catawba,

Let them hang as long as you can. I took down my Foch last weekend, 21 Brix and pH 3.3. Perfectly manageable with a MLF.

 

[Adame]

Foch 3.2 ph 1-1.1 TA. Lacrosse 3.2-3.4 ph 1.1 TA. Current levels. Still hanging.