Riddling and Disgorgment

Question 1

What is used for manual riddling?

Answer 1

-pupitres (riddling racks)

Question 2

What is used for computer controlled riddling?

Answer 2

-gyropallets for riddling (remuge)

Question 3

How are wines stored if they have to be stored before digorgement?

Answer 3

-upside down on their necks (sur pointe)
=lees remain in neck of bottle

Question 4

Describe the steps in the disgorgement process

Answer 4

1. Bottles cooled to 7 degrees, necks submerged into bath of frozen brine
   -quickly freezes yeast sediment in neck= easier to remove
   -cooling also increases solubility of CO2 and reduces likelihood of wine gushing upon opening
2. Disgorging machine inverts the bottle (upright) removes the crown cap and pressure within bottle, ejects frozen yeast plug.

Question 5

What is liqueur d’expedition made of?

Answer 5

wine and sugar

Question 6

When is liqueur d’expedition added?

Answer 6

before bottle fitted with cork etc

Question 7

What does the liqueur d’expedition do?

Answer 7

-tops up bottle where some wine may have escaped during disgorgement
-determines final sweetness in the wine

Question 8

What is the current trend with liqueur d’expedition?

Answer 8

-brut nature= no dosage
-extra brut (less that 6 g/l sugar)

Question 9

What is the role of dosage?

Answer 9

-balance acidity
-at least some sugar required to encourage development of classic post disgorgement aromas

Question 10

What is the Maillard reaction?

Answer 10

-sugar in liqueur d’expedition reacts with compounds formed during yeast autolysis
=toasted vanilla