The word "beaume" is a French term used in winemaking to describe the degree of sweetness. It is pronounced as [bohm] with a silent "e" at the end. The "b" sound is said at the lips, the "oh" sound is created in the back of the mouth and the "m" sound is produced by the lips closing. In written form it is spelled with an "e" at the end, although the pronunciation doesn't reflect it. When it comes to wine, beaume measures the density of grape juice or a solution of sugar and water.
Beaume is a term in the field of viticulture and winemaking, with its origin in the French language. It refers to a measurement used to determine the potential alcohol content in grape juice or must, and is commonly expressed as degrees Beaume or °Bé.
The term "beaume" specifically refers to the density of grape juice or must and is measured using a hydrometer or refractometer. It indicates the sugar content in the juice, which is an important factor in determining the eventual alcohol level in the finished wine. The higher the degrees Beaume, the higher the sugar content in the juice and, consequently, the potential alcohol content.
This measurement is crucial for winemakers as they make decisions on when to harvest the grapes. By measuring the degrees Beaume of grape juice or must, winemakers can assess the grape's ripeness and make informed decisions regarding optimal harvest time.
The term "beaume" is often used interchangeably with other density measurements such as degrees Brix or Babo, although they may have slightly different values in certain regions. Nonetheless, the concept of measuring sugar density using a hydrometer or refractometer remains consistent across these different terms.
Overall, beaume is a measurement used in viticulture and winemaking to determine the potential alcohol content of grape juice or must, aiding winemakers in making critical decisions during the winemaking process.
The word "beaume" originates from the Old French term "baume", which eventually derived from the Latin word "balsamus". In Latin, "balsamus" referred to a fragrant resin or healing ointment, often obtained from certain trees or plants. Over time, the word evolved in French to "baume", with a similar meaning. "Baume" eventually became "beaume", likely due to phonetic changes and regional variations in pronunciation. Today, "beaume" is primarily used in French to describe a healing balm or salve.