Sparkling Wine Production Flashcards
What qualities are desirable in grapes used for the production of sparkling wine?
Low sugar, because we’re aiming to produce a lower alcohol base win (10-11%)
High acid, to make a refreshing style
Sufficiently ripe flavors with no herbaceous notes.
Therefore cool climates are best, and the exact time to harvest becomes an extremely key decision.
How should grapes be handled at harvest?
Hand-picked, whole cluster, gentle press, especially when using black grapes, to avoid skin contact.
What are the labeling terms for sweetness in sparkling wine?
Brut Nature - 0-3 g/l Extra Brut - 0-6 g/l Brut - 6-12 g/l Extra Dry - 12-17 g/l Sec - 17-32 g/l Demi-Sec - 32-50 g/l Doux - 50 g/l
What are the primary methods for making sparkling wine?
Traditional - second fermentation in bottle
Charmant or Tank - second fermentation in tank
Asti - does not begin with a still base wine, fermentation is halted partway through
Carbonation or Injection - CO2 is added to still base wine
Describe the Asti Method?
Named after Asti Spumante, the wine made in this style, chilled juice is warmed, CO2 is initially allowed to escaped. pressurized tank is sealed partway through until 7% ABV and 5-6 atmospheres of pressure is reached. Wine is filtered and bottled for immediate sale.
Describe Tank Method and give examples.
Intended to preserve the fresh fruit character of the wine, a base wine is added to tank with sugar and yeast, initiating a second fermentation. The yeasts are filtered out afterwards, reducing the autolytic character of the wine, and the wine is bottle for immediate consumption.
What are the steps of the Traditional Method?
Production of neutral base wine.
Blending to produce consistent house style.
Liqueur de Tirage added to bottle, initiating second fermentation, raising the ABV by 1.2-1.3%
Bottle sealed with crown cap.
Yeast autolysis takes place.
Riddling, the practice of moving the bottle slowly to an upside down vertical position is achieved with a pupitre or gyropalette
Yeast is disgorged, liqueur d’expedition is added (dosage) which determined the final sweetness level of the wine.
Bottle is aged.
What is Vintage vs Non-vintage Champagne?
NV is a blend of wines from different years; Vintage is wine made from grapes harvested in the same year. (Some appellations allow for a tiny bit of wine from other vintages.)
What is Blanc de Blanc” Blanc de Noir? Rose?
White sparkling wine made only from white grapes, usually 100% Chardonnay.
White sparkling wine made only from black grapes, such as Pinot Noir and Meunier.
A rose sparkling wine made from blending or short maceration.
What is the transfer method?
An adaptation of the traditional method; the same up to riddling, at which point all the bottles are disgorged into a pressurized tank, lees are filtered, liqueur d’expedition is added, and the wine is rebottled.
How many appellations are there in Champagne?
Only one for sparkling wine - Champagne AOC. There are 17 grand crus and 44 premier crus, but these are not separate appellations.
What are the regions of Champagne?
Montagne de Reims, Vallee de la Marne, Cote des Blancs, Cote de Sezanne, and Cote des Bar.
What is the climate of Champagne?
Cool continental, winter freeze and spring frost are challenges, soils are chalk
What are the primary grapes of Champagne?
Chardonnay - Cote des Blancs, Cote de Sezanne
Pinot Noir - Cote des Bar and Montagne de Riem
Meunier - Valle de la Marne
What is the aging requirement for Champagne?
15 NV (12 on lees) 36 V (12 on lees)
