Chapter 7: Sparkling Wines:

Question 1

What are the two main methods of producing sparkling wine?

Answer 1

Traditional method and Tank method.

Question 2

What is the key characteristic of the traditional method of sparkling wine production?

Answer 2

Secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle.

Question 3

What are the key steps in the traditional method of sparkling wine production?

Answer 3

• Base wine production
• Blending
• Second fermentation
• Yeast autolysis
• Riddling
• Disgorging
• Dosage
• Corking

Question 4

What is yeast autolysis, and why is it important in traditional method sparkling wines?

Answer 4

Yeast cells break down, releasing flavors like bread and biscuit into the wine.

Question 5

What is riddling?

Answer 5

Gradually moving the sediment to the neck of the bottle by rotating and tilting it.

Question 6

What is disgorging in sparkling wine production?

Answer 6

Removing the sediment from the bottle after riddling.

Question 7

What is dosage in sparkling wine production?

Answer 7

Adding a mixture of wine and sugar (liqueur d’expédition) to adjust sweetness levels.

Question 8

What are the sweetness levels of sparkling wine, from driest to sweetest?

Answer 8

• Brut Nature
• Extra Brut
• Brut
• Extra Dry
• Dry
• Demi-Sec
• Doux

Question 9

What is the key characteristic of the tank method?

Answer 9

Secondary fermentation takes place in a pressurized tank.

Question 10

What types of sparkling wine are commonly made using the tank method?

Answer 10

• Prosecco
• Asti

Question 11

How does sparkling wine made using the tank method differ from the traditional method?

Answer 11

Tank method wines are fruitier, fresher, and less complex compared to traditional method wines.

Question 12

What grape varieties are used in Champagne production?

Answer 12

• Chardonnay
• Pinot Noir
• Pinot Meunier

Question 13

What are the main regions producing traditional method sparkling wines outside of Champagne?

Answer 13

• Cava (Spain)
• Crémant (France)
• Franciacorta (Italy)
• Cap Classique (South Africa)

Question 14

What is Prosecco, and where is it produced?

Answer 14

A tank method sparkling wine made from Glera grapes in the Veneto region of Italy.

Question 15

What is Asti, and where is it produced?

Answer 15

A sweet, low-alcohol sparkling wine made from Moscato (Muscat) grapes in Piedmont, Italy.

Question 16

What is the main sparkling wine from Germany?

Answer 16

Sekt, which can be made in both tank and traditional methods.

Question 17

What is the term for sparkling wine from South Africa?

Answer 17

Cap Classique.

Question 18

How does the climate of Champagne influence the style of its wines?

Answer 18

Cool climate leads to high acidity and light body, which are ideal for sparkling wine production.

Question 19

What is the difference between vintage and non-vintage Champagne?

Answer 19

• Vintage Champagne: Made from grapes of a single year, aged longer, and more complex.
• Non-vintage Champagne: A blend of wines from multiple years, consistent in style.

Question 20

What is Crémant?

Answer 20

French sparkling wine made using the traditional method but outside Champagne, such as Crémant de Loire or Crémant de Bourgogne.

Question 21

What is the purpose of blending in sparkling wine production?

Answer 21

To achieve a consistent house style or enhance complexity by combining wines from different vineyards, grape varieties, or vintages.

Question 22

What are the key flavor characteristics of sparkling wines made in the traditional method?

Answer 22

• High acidity
• Citrus and green fruit flavors
• Complex notes of bread, biscuit, or toast from yeast autolysis.