Sparkling Wines Flashcards
What is the French name for the dosage used in making Champagne?
Liqueur d’expedition
When pressing grapes the first juice is of the highest quality. What is it called?
What is the rest of the juice called?
First juice is the Cuvée.
Then the remainder is called Taille
List 6 key winemaking stages in the production of Traditional Method sparkling wine?
Which of these stages allows a wine maker to define their own wine style*?
Base wine created*
Create a 2nd fermentation in bottle.
Ageing/ yeast autolysis*
Riddling
Disgorgement
Dosage*
Yeast autolysis is associated with which two sparkling wine production methods?
Traditional Method
Transfer Method
List 4 label names that indicate a wine is made using the traditional method.
Champagne
Cremant
Cava
Method Cap Classique
Why are cool climates important for sparkling wines?
High acidity and low sugar levels (but still ripe)
First ferment target is just 10~11% abv as 2nd fermentation will add 1.2~1.3%abv, so need to avoid the final wine having too high a level of alcohol.
Sparkling wines are associated with a high acidity - refreshing style.
Why are the best grapes for sparkling wine picked in whole bunches?
Avoid colour and tannin being imparted into the juice. (mechanical harvesting shakes grapes off a vine, and breaks skins).
In general, what is the style of the base wine after the first fermentation?
10~11% abv
High acidity
Neutral taste
MLF may be allowed or prevented in batches
The base wine might be lightly oaked in batches
Give three reasons why blending is so important with sparkling wines.
- To make a consistent ‘House’ style considering grapes from different vineyards, different vintages
- To improve balance e.g. Chardonnay adds Citrus whilst Pinot Noir adds body and subtle red fruit flavours
- To add complexity e.g. Old reserve wines might bring dried fruit. Some matured in oak would bring toast and spice
What are the 2 most important ingredients in Liqueur de Tirage?
When is it used?
Sugar and yeast.
Mixed with base wine to start the 2nd fermentation
What is ‘Riddling’, and what is the alternative method for achieving the same objective?
Slowly inverting and turning the bottle after a period of resting in order to collect yeast residue from the sides of the bottle.
Gyroplattes as a form of automation. (holding typically 500 bottles).
At what two stages might blending be done in making Sparkling wine?
After the base wine is made various parcels are blended before starting the 2nd fermentation
Wine in a Liqueur d’expedition can adjust the flavours of the final wine.
What is Liqueur d’expedition made from?
Wine and sugar
What two labelling terms indicate that a wine has been made in the ‘Traditional Method’?
Method Champenoise
Methods Traditionelle
How are some producers helping retailers and drinkers know the age of Champagne?
Some are showing ‘Disgorgement’ dates on the bottle
What are the 5 main methods for producing a sparkling wine?
Traditional Method
Transfer Method
Tank Method
Asti Method
Carbonation
Why is the ‘Asti’ Method unusual?
There is only one fermentation
What is the main difference between Traditional Method and Transfer Methods of sparkling wine production?
No riddling or disgorgement.
With Transfer method, after the 2nd fermentation and lees ageing the bottles are disgorged into a sealed tank under pressure.
The wine is then filtered, Liqueur d’expedition is added when the wine is bottled
Why might producers choose the Tank Method to make sparkling wine?
Less costly.
Suits wines intended to express only primary aromas.
With the Tank Method of Sparkling wine production, where does the 2nd fermentation take place?
In a pressurised tank
What grape is used to make Asti?
Muscat (aromatic)
(or more precicely, Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains)
Carbonation has what advantage other than being low cost?
Results in primary aromas only
(plus also fizz lasts for less time).
What are the French labelling terms for sparkling wine that indicate levels of sweetness?
Or,
Identify the 3 that the WSET highlight as a minimum knowledge requirement (p177 at bottom), along with sugar levels g/l.
Brut Nature * 0-3g/l
Extra Brut
Brut * 0-12g/l
Extra Sec
Sec
Demi Sec * 32-50 g/l
Doux
Define ‘non vintage’ sparkling wine
Grapes harvested in more than one vintage (and made in the House style
What is required in order for a Champagne to be labelled as ‘Vintage’?
Champagne - 100% grapes must come from a single year.
(for other appellations a small percentage from other years is often permitted)
How can rosé sparkling wine be made?
-Blending red and white base wines.
-Short maceration.
-Colour can be adjusted at final liqueur d’expedition stage