Wine
Mick O’Connell on wine: The grape debate on machine versus hand harvesting
Contrary to popular belief, you can get a fine quality wine from machine-harvested grapes, but it does very much depend on the variety and particular situation
As they move from summer to autumn, the biggest decisions wine producers have to make relate to their harvest: when it takes place, at what temperature and, importantly, how it takes place.
The how really boils down to whether a producer will decide to machine harvest or hand-pick the grapes. Machine harvesting uses custom made machines to shake the vines or hit them with a paddle to remove single grapes, and sometimes whole bunches. The ...