Sparkling Winemaking Flashcards
What climate is necessary for the production of sparkling wine grapes? Why?
Cool climates cause vines to struggle, leading to grapes with naturally high acidity and just-ripe flavors
What is the typical potential alcohol of grapes used for sparkling wine?
9-11%
How much of an increase in alcohol by volume does the second fermentation add to base wines?
1-2%
Are the world’s sparkling wine producing zones generally at higher or lower latitudes? Why?
Higher latitudes because they are cooler than lower latitudes
What exceptions exist to the rule that sparkling wine zones are generally at higher latitudes? Why are these regions successful at sparkling wine production?
Areas that are close to cooling influences or sit at high altitudes may also be ideal for sparkling wine production. Sonoma receives significant cooling from the Pacific Ocean and Trentodoc is at high altitude.
Are grapes from warmer areas ever used for sparkling wines?
Yes, though they may be desired for short lived tank method or transfer/traditional method wines with short lees aging.
Sparkling red wines also need to be produced in warm climates in order to ripen fully.
Why is it important to use riper grapes in tank method styles or with limited lees contact?
The varietal flavors will compete against the autolytic character of traditional method wines. It is better to allow the grapes to provide the dominant or sole flavors of the wine.
Are intense fruit flavors desirable in elegant, balanced sparkling wines with long time on the lees?
No.
What type of land can lead to the reduced cost of sparkling wines?
Cheaper land, or flatter, fertile land that is easier to cultivate and produces higher yields.
Land that is less suitable or unsuitable for the production of still wines is also an option.
Which grape varieties are the most commonly used for sparkling wine production?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Is the aromatic profile of Chardonnay well suited to the production of autolytic sparkling wine styles? Why or why not?
Yes. The green apple and citrus aromas compliment the biscuit aromas of yeast autolysis
What are the benefits and risks of growing Chardonnay in a cool climate?
It is early ripening, maintaining high acidity and low sugar while avoiding underripe fruit flavors
It is early budding, making it vulnerable to spring frosts
What diseases and conditions are Chardonnay prone to?
It is susceptible to powdery mildew, grapevine yellows, and botrytis in wet periods before harvest.
It is prone to coulure and millerandage
How does Chardonnay yield in the best growing years? How does this affect harvest?
Chardonnay can have high yields in good years, but does so without a loss in quality. This makes Chardonnay an attractive option for growers
What are the benefits and risks of growing Pinot Noir in a cool climate?
It is early ripening, allowing it to ripen in a cool climate
It is early budding, making it vulnerable to spring frosts
What diseases and conditions are Pinot Noir prone to?
It is susceptible to powdery mildew, botrytis, fan leaf, leaf roll, and especially downy mildew.
It is prone to coulure
Which is more prone to disease: Chardonnay or Pinot Noir? Why?
Pinot Noir due to its thin skins
What does Pinot Noir offer to sparkling wine blends?
Body
Can Pinot Noir be harvested at high levels and maintain its quality?
No. Quality drops if yields are too high.
What factors in the grape influence the style of sparkling wine that is produced?
Intensity of aroma
Ability to retain acid when ripening
How the base wine responds to autolysis
How does Xarel-lo respond to yeast autolysis?
It develops toasty and smoky aromas
How does Chardonnay respond to yeast autolysis?
It develops creamy notes
What types of yields are grapes for sparkling wines cultivated at when compared to grapes for still wines?
Higher yields. Higher acidity, lower potential alcohol, and more delicate flavors are achieved by keeping higher yields on the vine
How does the maintenance of higher yields affect growing confidence in cool, rainy regions?
It provides assurances that a reasonable amount of the crop will avoid disease