What is the process of pumping the liquid away from the solids called in winemaking?

• A. Racking
• B. Filtering
• C. Decanting
• D. Pressing

Answer: (A)

Racking is the process of moving the clear wine off the settled solids, leaving the sediment behind. In winemaking, after fermentation the lees settle to the bottom, and racking uses a siphon, gravity, or a pump to transfer the liquid to a new vessel while the solids stay behind. This clarifies the wine and reduces contact with lees, helping stabilize flavor and structure for aging.

Filtering would push liquid through a filter rather than simply separating it from the sediment. Decanting is typically about serving or separating from sediment in a bottle, not the ongoing transfer during fermentation or aging. Pressing is about extracting juice from the solid grapes, not removing liquid from solids after fermentation.