Free-run juice is the juice that flows freely from grapes under gravity alone, before any pressing occurs. It flows naturally as grapes break down during fermentation, without external force. Free-run juice is typically lighter in colour, softer in tannin, and more delicate in flavour than press wine. In quality-focused operations, free-run juice is often kept separate and may be bottled independently or blended back with press wine in carefully controlled proportions. Free-run juice from the best parcels sometimes receives premium pricing.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR COLLECTORS
Wines made entirely from free-run juice tend to be more elegant, with finer tannin texture and complexity. Some premium producers release separate free-run bottlings commanding higher prices for their purity and finesse.
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