Nitrogen in Modern Winemaking: Unlock Quality & Efficiency

New Zealand is renowned globally for its exceptional wines, and crafting those exquisite tastes demands precision at every stage of production, from filtration to bottling and quality testing.

One essential element in modern winemaking is the use of nitrogen. Nitrogen is an abundant, inert gas naturally found in the air. It is used throughout wine production to displace oxygen, preserving wine quality and protecting its delicate aromas and flavours. For instance, nitrogen is used in sparging to remove oxygen and helps prevent oxidation of the wine.
 

Controlling oxygen exposure is key to producing great-tasting wine. Understanding the relationship between oxygen and nitrogen, and striking the right balance, allows winemakers to minimise oxidation and ensure consistency in flavour.

Nitrogen is particularly valuable during bottling and transfer processes, helping reduce waste, prevent spoilage, and lower long-term costs. There are three critical stages in the winemaking process where nitrogen plays a vital role:
 

• Flushing: Nitrogen is used to flush pipelines and equipment, removing moisture that could lead to oxidation and spoilage.
  
• Blanketing: Winemakers use nitrogen to create a protective "blanket" over the wine, preventing bacterial growth and pres
  
• Sparging: Nitrogen sparging helps remove oxygen from wine. This is done by adding nitrogen to tanks, barrels, and equipment. The nitrogen pushes out oxygen and lowers the risk of oxidation.

Using nitrogen effectively during these stages enhances wine quality and consistency.

Considering the rising costs of CO2 in New Zealand, optimizing production is more critical than ever. There are significant benefits of nitrogen in winemaking, particularly when you generate it on-site:
 

• Cost Reduction: Generating your own nitrogen can significantly cut expenses.
  
• Increased Productivity: An on-demand supply ensures you have nitrogen whenever needed, streamlining your operation.
  
• Enhanced Sustainability: An on-site nitrogen generator allows you to produce only what you need, reducing waste and contributing to a more sustainable winery operation.

Atlas Copco has a long history of partnering with wineries worldwide, offering support at every step of the winemaking process. We focus on helping you produce wine sustainably, increase productivity, maintain efficiency, and reduce operational costs.

We’ll help you choose the right on-site nitrogen generator tailored to your winery's needs. Generating nitrogen on-site not only cuts long-term costs but also shields your operations from supply chain delays and the risks associated with storing high-pressure gas cylinders or low temperatures of liquefied gases.

For medium- to high-pressure applications like nitrogen sparging, having nitrogen storage can be highly beneficial. We’ll help you identify the best storage solution to always ensure a reliable nitrogen supply.

Whatever your requirements—whether it’s finding the right nitrogen generator or setting up efficient storage systems—Atlas Copco NZ is here to help you make the right choice for your winery.