General Vinification for Sparkling Wine Flashcards
In what style of sparkling wine is whole bunch pressing preferred?
-traditional method premium champagne
What is the advantage of whole bunch pressing?
- it is gentle and therefore less extraction of phenolics (tannin and anthocyanin) and solids
- stems act as a drainage channel for juices to run thus minimising pressure needed in the press
What is the disadvantage of whole bunch pressing?
Which presses are commonly used in whole bunch pressing?
- basket presses and pneumatic presses
Give a disadvantage to the basket press
-less juice extracted in order to avoid risk of extracting low molecular weight solids from the seeds
What effect in terms of sensation does low molecular weight phenolics contribute?
-bitterness and coarse mouthfeel
What is the priority in pressing black grapes for sparkling wine?
-speed to decrease maceration and extraction from skins
-
What are press fractions?
-parts of the pressed juice differentiated by the pressure at which they were pressed from the grapes
(extra info: the first press fraction has the intermediate zone of the pulp , the next is the central zone close to the seeds and the last is the primary zone next to the skin - hardest to press as attached to skin so releases the most phenolics from the skin)
What is free run juice?
-the 60-70% of juice which runs out of the grape when it is crushed (ie. split)
Which has highest phenolics, free run or press juice?
Press juice is highest in phenolics
Why separate press fractions?
For Blending Options
For SHORT MATURATION wine for early consumption, what is the dominant juice?
-Press Juice as it is faster maturing
Are all solids removed before fermentation and why?
-no, they aren’ because some solid is required for both primary and secondary fermentation
What process happens between pressing and first fermentation ?
Clarification
What can be used to removed excessive tannin or color before fermentation?
- casein
- PPV (powdered plastic removing browning and astringency) from
- gelatin (fining agents)
What is used to remove larger solids from the grape must?
- racking to removed the juice from settled sediment
- centrifugation
- flotation using an inert gas
Why is it a good idea to chill your juice during clarification?
To avoid oxidation
At what temperature range does the first fermentation take place?
14oC to 20oC
What fermentation vessel is usually used in first fermentation?
stainless steel
why is the principle vessel used for 1st fermentation
temperature control
Easy cleaning
Large format
what does the temperature of the 1st fermentation encourage?
- maintenance of the delicate primary flavors
- yeast activity
What is a low pH environment like for yeast?
-stressful
What must a winemaker consider when selecting yeast strain?
- if it can remain active in low pH and alcoholic high stress environments in the ferments
- if it promotes aromatics like thiols and esters (good for fruity non-autolytic wines)
Is it common to use the same yeast for first and second fermentation?
yes. The yeast same yeast is usually used for both
At what % alcohol does most yeast tend to stop fermenting?
10 %abv and above
What are 4 challenges for yeast during the second fermentation?
- low pH
- low fermentation temperatures
- high pressure
- low nutrient availability
What is one of the most widely commercially available yeast used in sparkling wine making?
Prise de Mousse Lalvin EC1118
What are 6 commercial claims for Prise de Mousse?
- neutral aroma
- inhibits natural yeasts
- tolerates abv up to 18%
- fast ferment
- low foam
- fast flocculation (clumping of yeasts)
Name a rival yeast approved by the CICV in Epernay a
Lalvin DV10
What 6 advantages do Lalvin DV10 claim?
- works under high stress conditions (high SO2, low temp, low pH)
- low foaming
- low VA
- neutral aromatics
Is oak used between 1st and second fermentation?
Some winemakers use oak to mature base wines on or off the lees
Is new oak used to mature base wines?
Very little. Mostly seasoned barrels used
what flavors arise after oak maturation ?
toast , vanilla, spice
why is very little new oak used in maturation?
effervescence will enhance the aromas anyway
Place the following in the correct order in winemaking
- malolactic fermentation
- oak maturation
- pressing
- second fermentation
- crushing
- clarification
- harvesting
- first fermentation
harvesting crushing pressing clarification first fermentation malolactic fermentation oak maturation second fermentation
When would one not use oak maturation?
if making a fruity style of wine like a Prosecco or Asti
Why would MLF be used in making sparkling wine?
reduce acidity and increase creamy texture
Does MLF cause a buttery aroma?
not in the final wine. The diacytl is metabolised by the yeast in 2nd fermentation
What can a winemaker do to prevent MLF occurring in the base wine?
Sterile filter the lactic acid bacteria out of the wine
Why mature the base wine?
Reduce primary aromas and encourage tertiary ones such as nuts
What happens if MLF happens in the 2nd fermentation?
It makes the wine hazy and there is little that can be done to correct it once it is in bottle
What is the size of the holes in a sterile filter mesh and why?
Less than 0.2 micrometers to trap yeast and bacteria (main culprits of spoilage)
Does assemblage matter in sparkling wines and why?
It is critical. Assemblage or blending is done to influence the following: "balls slip cos very few people catch right" B- balance S- style C-complexity V-volume F-faults P- price C- consistency R- rosé
What balance might a winemaker seek to make using assemblage?
-perhaps a chardonnay from a vineyard with a warmer climate would add body whilst a chardonnay from a cooler climate would increase acidity
What style might a winemaker seek to make using assemblage?
- early drinking style might need riper fruit and less acidity
- wines for longevity might need more concentrated and higher acidity
How might complexity be increased by a winemaker through assemblage?
a greater range of aromas might be achieved by blending different grapes, different vineyard sites and different vintages
How might assemblage aid volume in winemaking?
a more viable volume of wine might be made if one has smaller vineyard holdings, if one blends wine from different vineyards or blending current vintage with reserve wines
How does assemblage assist with wine faults?
small faults might be diluted with healthy wine with more desirable traits
How can one use assemblage to affect price?
- a winemaker might create an inexpensive/mid-priced wine from blending a cheaper grape (eg Meunier) with a more expensive varietal such as Pinot Noir
- cheaper wines might use more press juice
How might a winemaker use assemblage to achieve consistency?
Some producers make Non Vintage wines and certainly among the large houses , these are expected to taste the same from year to year. This will be achieved through blending reserve wines to achieve a consistent house style
What is the significance of assemblage and rosés?
Some rosés are made by blending white base wines with red base wines
After blending, what happens before the second fermentation?
- stabilisation of tartrates and protein (eg via cold stabilization for a few weeks makes potassium bitartrate precipitate out)
- CLARIFICATION must happen for all sparkling wines after first ferment
TRAD METHOD 2nd FERMENTATION:
In the Traditional Method, where does 2nd fermentation take place?
In the bottle in which the wine is to be sold
Name 4 ingredients in a liqueur de tirage?
a blend of
- sugar
- selected yeasts
- clarifying agents eg seaweed extract to assist in remuage or bentonite
- yeast nutrients
Where and why is ilqueur de tirage added to the wine?
Added before the second fermentation to kick start sugar to alcohol conversion and the production of the critical carbon dioxide byproduct
Amount of sugar in the LDT depends upon what?
the amount of effervescence or pressure required in the wine
Most sparkling wines provides how much sugar per litre?
24g/l
What type of sugar is in the LDT?
Sucrose