specific gravity
The ratio of the density of a substance (such as MUST or wine) to the density of pure water, measured by an instrument called a HYDROMETER. A liquid with precisely the same density as water has a specific gravity (s.g.) reading of 1.000. If it’s denser than water (as would be the case if sugar is present), its reading will be over 1.000. When grape juice begins to ferment—converting the sugar into alcohol—the specific gravity drops because the s.g. of pure ALCOHOL is 0.792—lower than that of water. Therefore, a DRY wine, which contains little or no sugar, would have a specific gravity reading below 1.000. In the United States, specific gravity is measured on the BRIX scale, in Germany on the OECHSLE scale, and in France on the BAUMÉ scale.
Related Links:
Baumé, Oechsle, potential alcohol
© Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc.
1995 based on THE WINE LOVER'S COMPANION,
by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst.
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