Sparkling wine

Question 1

liqueur de tirage

Answer 1

A mixture of nutrients, sugar and yeast, plus a clarifying agent that begins the secondary ferment in sparkling wine made traditionally.

Question 2

pupitre

Answer 2

The rack upon which sparkling wine undergoing secondary fermentation inside of bottles.

Question 3

gyropalette

Answer 3

A mechanized way of rotating multiple bottles undergoing secondary fermentation. Replaces riddling by hand. This also qualifies as methode champenoise.

Question 4

liqueur d’expédition

Answer 4

This is a mixture of wine and sugar that is used to top off the sparkling wine after disgorgement. It determines the final sweetness of the finished sparkling wine.

Question 5

dosage

Answer 5

Another term for liquer d’expédtion.

Question 6

autolysis

Answer 6

What yeast’s action is and the flavors it imparts are bread and biscuit.

Question 7

taille

Answer 7

In Champagne, taille refers to the second pressing of the grapes, approx. 500 liters of juice, which occurs directly after the initial pressing, which is called the cuvée.

Question 8

méthode traditionnelle

Answer 8

A labeling term used to describe a sparkling wine that has undergone secondary fermentation inside of a bottle.

Question 9

bottle-fermented

Answer 9

A term used to indicate traditional method of producing a sparkling wine.

Question 10

blanc-de-blanc

Answer 10

French labeling term for sparkling wine that indicates 100% white grape varieties.

Question 11

prestige cuvee

Answer 11

A labeling term indicating the producer’s finest sparkling wine, often vintage.

Question 12

crémant

Answer 12

The French term for a sparkling wine not from the Champagne region.

Question 13

cava

Answer 13

Spanish sparkling wine made with indigenous grapes in the traditional method.

Question 14

prosecco

Answer 14

Charmat or tank method sparkling wine from Italy, made from glera.

Question 15

asti

Answer 15

Sparkling wine, usually on the sweet side, that does not undergo a secondary fermentation. Usually inexpensive.

Question 16

sekt

Answer 16

German for sparkling wine, usually low in alcohol.

Question 17

cartizze or rive

Answer 17

Two Italian labeling terms for sparkling wine that indicate they come from an exceptional vineyard site.

Question 18

charmat

Answer 18

A synonym for “tank method” in which the secondary fermentation is done in bulk in a sealed tank, under presser.

Question 19

blanc-de-noir

Answer 19

French labeling term for sparkling wine that indicates 100% black grape varieties, usually pinot noir.

Question 20

cuvée

Answer 20

The French term for the juice from the first pressing of the grapes to make the base wine.