Standard Options in Sparkling Wine Flashcards
what type of climate is ideal for sparkling wines?
cool climates where grapes struggle to ripen
What are two characteristics of high quality grapes for sparkling wines
just ripe flavors
retain acidity
how does sugar accumulate in sparkling wines
-slowly which gives still-base wines low alcohol (9-11%)
Why is low alcohol base wine necessary for sparkling wine
the second fermentation used in many methods produces an additional 1-2% abv
Where do grapes for sparkling wines tend to be grown in the world?
regions that are at greater latitudes such as Champagne, England, or Tasmania or places with local cooling influences such as those near coast (Sonoma) or at high altitudes (Trentodoc)
What type of sparkling wines may be made in warmer climates? why?
short aged wines (tank method, or with short time on the lees in transfer or traditional methods)
grapes have riper flavors and will provide the only or dominant flavors
what is preferable to make elegant, balanced, long-lees-aged sparkling wines?
less intense fruit flavors
What are the most commonly used grape varieties for making premium and super premium sparkling wines
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
What style sparkling wine is Chardonnay grapes well suited for
autolytic styles
What type of aromas do autolytic styles of sparkling wines display
brioche, or biscuit (graham crackers)
what is yeast autolysis
breaking down of dead cells
What are the aromas and flavors of CHardonnay
apple, citrus
How is CHardonnay well suited for sparkling wines?
early ripening of fruit flavors is an asset in cool conditions
retains high acidity
low levels of alcohol
avoids underripe flavors
What is Chardonnay vulnerable to
due to early budding - spring frosts
coulure and millerandage
what is Chardonnay susceptible to?
powdery mildew, grapevine yellows, botrytis bunch rot in wet periods before the harvest
although its more disease resistant than Pinot Noir
Describe yields for Chardonnay
can be high in the best years without a loss of quality
Why is Pinot Noir suited for a cool climate
it is early budding and early ripening grape
What is Pinot Noir prone to?
spring frosts, coulure
Describe yields for Pinot Noir
more moderate than Chardonnay and quality drops if yield is too high
What type of skin does Pinot Noir have and what is the outcome of this?
thin-skinned
more prone to disease (mildew, powdery mildew, botrytis rot, fan leaf and leaf roll)
What does Pinot Noir lend to a blend?
body
What are examples of other grape varieties that are used for sparkling wines that are local to their regions?
Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada in Cava
Glera in Prosecco
What are some factors within the grape variety that can influence the style of the wine?
the intensity of aromas (aromatic vs neutral)
ability to retain acidity while ripening
how the base wine responds to autolysis where applicable (ex Chardonnay becomes creamy; Xarel-lo becomes toasty and smokey)
Name characteristics that are desirable for most sparkling wines. How are these achieved?
high acid levels, low potential alcohol, and delicate flavors
high yields
How are grapes used for sparkling wines typically trained or trellised
there are a range of techniques depending on region, its climate, and nutritional status of the soil
What priority is given to in all regions to grapes made into sparkling wine?
to obtain clean healthy fruit
When does harvesting occur for sparkling wine grapes and why?
earlier than for still wine production to achieve high acid, low alcohol profile
What can impact grapes of sparkling wines if left on the vine too long?
rainy weather in autumn starts increasing risk of fungal disease
How are sparkling wine grapes typically harvested
both hand and machine harvested depending on location and local wine laws
name the benefits of hand harvesting sparkling wine grapes
ability to collect in small crates
permits sorting
minimizes splitting and crushing of grapes and subsequent oxidation and extraction of phenloics
name the problems of hand harvesting sparkling wine grapes
labor intensive
slow
can be expensive
What can be enhanced by the effervescence in the wine?
perception of any off flavors from diseased fruit
What are the disadvantages of machine harvesting?
can rupture skins resulting in phenolic extraction and oxidation
while disease and or damaged grapes can be removed by hand right before machine harvest - this increases cost
What are the advantages of machine harvesting
faster
grapes more likely to be picked at the desired point of ripeness
cheaper
permits night-time harvesting (cooler grapes = slowed down oxidation)
What type of pressing is typically used for premium traditional method sparkling wine? why?
whole bunch pressing
one of gentlest forms of pressing, providing delicate juice that is low in solids and phenolics
stems also help to create a network of channels through which juice can flow easily (min pressure required)
What is a disadvantage of whole bunch pressing?
fewer bunches can be pressed at a time = more time consuming
How should pressing be performed for sparkling wine grapes? Why?
as quickly and gently as possible (esp for black skin varieties)
minimizes maceration with and extraction from the skins which would bring unwanted colors and tannins
What do phenolic compounds do to sparkling wine?
can make the wine taste bitter and feel course on the palate
What type of presses are typically used for sparkling wines? why?
Pneumatic and basket presses -
ability to press very gently
Is it common to split the juice into different press fractions?
YES - in some regions max amount of press juice (vs free run juice) that can be used is controlled
What is the benefit of having different press fractions
give useful blending options
higher in phenolics, solids and Ph
faster maturing making these fractions can be useful for wines with a short maceration that are made for immediate consumption
What occurs after pressing but before fermentation?
the juice is clarified
What method of clarification is used ?
can be any method available for still white wines
if excessive color of tannin fining may be used to amend the juice
What temps are sparkling wines fermented at? Why?
14-20 C
retain fruit flavors but ensure temps are not too cold for yeast
what makes the environment stressful for the yeast during fermentation?
low pH
In what vessels does primary fermentation take place? why?
mostly stainless steel tanks
allows large vols to be fermented with temp control and for ease of cleaning the tanks before and after fermentation
What is a priority for sparkling winemaking?
reliable healthy ferment
What type of yeasts are typically used for sparkling wine fermentation
cultured yeasts that are able to ferment reliably to dryness in high-acid low pH conditions
What type of yeasts are sometimes used for tank method sparkling wines? why?
some yeast strains that promote certain flavors such as thiols or esters
sometimes neutral yeasts used not to enhance primary fruit flavors
What is not wanted in autolytic styles of sparkling wine? why?
pronounced primary fruit flavors
they may compete with autolytic flavors
What kind of yeast is used for first fermentation vs second fermentation in sparkling wines?
common for same type of yeast to be used.
what must yeast be able to do during second fermentation
start fermenting in alcoholic conditions (10% abv too high for many yeasts) with low pH and continue fermenting through low temperatures in high pressure and with poor availability of nutrients
what is flocculation?
process of fine particles clumping together
What is desirable for traditional method wines during fermentation?
rapid autolysis and easy flocculation
What is one of the most common cultured yeasts used for sparkling wine production?
EC1118 - Prise de mousse
What does malolactic conversion used to do in sparkling wines?
reduce acidity in excessively acidic wine
enhance texture
lactic acid produced in malolactic conversion seen as a creamier texture than other acids such as tartaric
Why are the buttery flavors typically found with malolactic conversion not found in sparkling wines?
diacetyl is metabolized by the yeast in the second fermentation
If malolactic conversion does not take place after fermentation what is the risk for sparkling wines?
it could take place during 2nd fermentation leading to haziness in the wine especially for traditional method wines
what is the other option if malolactic conversion is not desired?
sterile filtering
What commonly used yeast is know for its claim to work on low pH, high total SO2 and low temp situtation as well as its neutral character enables subtle primary fruit to be clearly expressed?
LALVIN DV10
How do producers handle the base wine before 2nd fermentation
some mature in oak or leave wine on lees
new oak only used in small proportions
most often seasoned barrels will be used
oak will not be used at all for fruity styles (Prosecco or Asti)
What flavors are typically magnified in sparkling wines
oak - vanilla, toast, spice
What is assemblage?
blending of wines from different vineyard sites, grape varieties, vintages, and wines that have undergone different winemaking techniques
what is the purpose of blending for sparkling wines
balance
consistency
style
rose wines
complexity
minimisation of faults
volume
price
Where does the second fermentation occur in traditional method?
in the bottle in which the wine is later sold
What is liqueuer de tirage
mixture of wine and must, sugar, cultured yeasts, yeast nutrients, and clarifying agent added to the base wine to achieve 2nd fermentation
What does the amount of sugar added to 2nd fermentation determine in sparkling wines? how much is typically added
the amount of effervescence required
most sparkling add 24g of sucrose per litre
what happens to the added sugar during 2nd fermentation
it turns to alcohol (+1.5% for additional 24g/l of sugar) and CO2
What is the pressure that is considered appropriate for most sparkling wines
six atmospheres (bars)
Does the sugar added during the 2nd fermentation affect the final sweetness of the wine? why?
no as the yeast ferment the wine to dryness
What is the second fermentation often called?
prise de mousse - literally means capturing the sparkle
what does the second fermentation require?
innoculation of the wine with a cultured yeast that is able to ferment in unfavorable conditions
Describe yeast strains that are commercially used for 2nd fermentation
have slightly different properties, but all have aptitude for commencing fermentation with 9.5-11% abv a moderate temp around 16C and pH values often below 3and later withstanding high pressure as it completes fermentation in the bottle
What occurs when yeast cells flocculate
they produce a coarse sediment that can be efficiently removed by riddling
What happens after the liqueur de tirage is added and inoculation occurs?
wine is bottled and sealed with a crown cap that holds a small plastic pot in place inside the bottle to catch the sediment and the bottle is stored sur latte (horizontally) at a consistent temp (10-12C)
What is the typical length of 2nd fermentation
depends primarily on the temp
cooler temp = slower fermentation = more complex wines
in many cases it lasts 4-6 weeks
What is important maintain yeast viability during 2nd fermentation
stable temperature
After 2nd fermentation what do producers typically choose to do
age the wines before removing the yeast
How are bottles stored after 2nd fermentation
horizontally in stacks or metal cages at temps of 10C
How long are bottles stored after 2nd fermentation?
min of 9 months (Cava)
more typical 15-18 months (when autolysis becomes detectable)
overall depends on style, price point, ability to invest in longer period of lees aging
How long can autolysis go?
usually continues for 4-5 years but has been known to last for 10
Why would some wines be left on lees after autolysis is completed
anti-oxidative qualities of yeast cells protect the wine from oxidation in comparison to a disgorged wine of the same age
however the longer in this stage the faster its evolution once it is disgorged
Why is wine left on lees after autolysis is completed for an extended period of time quicker to evolve once it’s disgorged?
the older it becomes the less it can withstand the sudden shock of oxygen at disgorgement
What happens to sparkling wines after they are aged sur latte
they are either placed into pupitres for hand riddling or moved to computer-controlled gyropalettes for riddling (rumuage)
What is riddling?
process of gradually twisting or rotating the bottles while bringing them from the horizontal to the vertical position (cap down)
What does riddling allow the lees to do?
flocculate and slowly move towards the neck of the bottle.
how long does manual riddling take? riddling with a gyropalette?
manual = up to 8 weeks
machine = 3-4 days
If wines have to be stored after riddling, in what position are they stored? why?
sur pointe - upside down on their necks - so the lees remain in the neck of the bottle
What is disgorgement
the process of removing the yeast from the neck of a bottle of sparkling wine
Explain the process of disgorgement
must be done with minimal loss of pressure and wine
bottles are cooled to aprox 7C
necks are immersed in bath of frozen brine freezing the sediment
disgorging machine inverses the bottle (so its now upright), removes the crown cap and allows the pressure to eject the frozen yeast plug
Why is freezing the sediment in the neck so important?
eases its extraction
ensures sediment doesn’t fall back into the wine
increases solubility of Co2 and therefore reduces the wine risk of gushing upon opening
What happens directly after disrgorgement
Liqueur d’expedition is added to the bottle before the bottle is fitted with a cork, wire muzzle and metal capsule
What is liqueur d’expedition?
a mixture of wine and sugar (doseage) or RCGM (rectified concentrated grape must)
What is the purpose of liqueur d’expedition?
to top up the bottle where some of the wine may have escaped during disgorgement as well as determines the final sweetness of the wine
What is the role of the dosage
to balance acidity
Describe when a smaller dosage is needed?
perception of acidity rounds out with age - the older the wine at disgorgement the smaller the dosage required
Why is at least a little sugar needed in the dosage?
to encourage the development of classic post disgorgement aromas
What is the Maillard reaction?
when the sugar in the liqueur d’expedition reacts with compounds formed during the yeast autolysis
What flavors does the Maillard reaction produce
roasted and toasted vanilla
How long can wines be stored when they have gone through the Maillard reaction
may be stored an extra few months to allow the development of aromas before release into market
When and why was the transfer method developed
1940’s to avoid cost of manual riddling while retaining brioche and/or biscuit notes
Name the benefits of the transfer method
reducing bottle to bottle variation given that the wine from individual bottles are blended together
generally easier to make final adjustments to the wine
can deliver cost and time savings for high vol producers by removing need for riddling
What are disadvantages of transfer method
many of the key benefits have become less significant due to the manual process of the riddling process becoming automated
How is transfer method used in Champagne?
to fill bottles smaller than 37.5 cl or larger than 300cl as those sizes are difficult to riddle
Compare Transfer method to Traditional method
they are essentially the same up to riddling, with 2nd fermentation taking place in the bottles
transfer method - riddling does not take place, fining agents are not added to liqueur de tirage to help with flocculation
after lees aging in bottle, bottles are chilled to 0C before discharge and opened by transfer machine, wine poured into pressurized recieving tanks. Wine is sweetened and S02 is added. Sterlie filtration carried out just prior to bottling
What does the back label say for Transfer method wines?
Fermented in bottle instead of Fermented in this bottle
What occurs in the Ancestral Method?
partly fermented must is put into bottles and the remaining sugar is converted into alcohol and C02 providing the effervescence
How are the final pressure levels estimated in Ancestral method?
sugar levels in the partially fermented must can be measured accurrately
What happens in the phase of fermentation in the bottle during ancestral method?
it will throw a deposit of dead yeast -
What can winemakers do with the dead yeast in the bottle of ancestral method wines?
up to them to decide whether to disgorge and fill the bottle up or to keep the light sediment as part of the wine’s style (more common)
Is dosage used in Ancestral method of sparkling wine?
no -
Why does the outcome of the wine made using ancestral method vary so much?
there is no intervention in the fermentation process once the bottle has been sealed.
during the ancestral method what happens after a few months
fermentation will slow down or completely stop because yeast becomes unviable after this time and due to a lack of yeast nutrients. this results in an off dry wine
Once fermentation stops in the ancestral method of sparkling wine making?
fermentation can start up again in some bottles resulting in higher pressure and less residual sugar
Where has the ancestral method been revived?
in small scale production around the world
what is another name for ancestral method?
Pet Nat (abbreviation for petillant naturel)
what are regulation for Pet Nat
there are none
Describe a typical Pet Nat
low to medium alcohol
slightly cloudy
dry to off-dry
unconventional flavors (sometimes compared to cider
bottled without additional S02 and intended for early drinking
What are the other names the Tank method goes by?
Cuve Close, Charmat, and Martinotti
What does the Tank Method allow?
for wines to be made inexpensively, quickly and with significantly reduced labor costs in comparison to the traditional method
What are some things that take away from the cost of wine when using the Tank Method?
there is no riddling, disgorgement, and typically no dosage or long period of aging on the lees during the 2nd fermentation
What is a benefit of the Tank method
wines can be made and released for sale quickly.
typically preferred method when the winemaker wants to preserve primary aromas and flavors of the grapes and does not desire autolytic characteristics
When is the Tank Method used
when trying to produce fruity wines made with semi aromatic (Glera) or aromatic (Muscat) varieties
How is the tank method often see and why?
as the inferior method of sparkling wine due partly because of the prestige of the traditional method and partly because as an inexpensive method the quality of grapes is often lower than those used for traditional method wines
What is the temp of the first fermentation for tank method? why?
16-18C to retain fresh floral and fruit aromas and flavors but to avoid flavors associated with very low fermentation temps
What is added after the first fermentation for tank method wines?
sugar and yeast - which causes a rapid 2nd fermentation
Where does the 2nd fermentation take place for tank method?
pressurized tanks (reinforcement taknks)
How long does the wine for 2nd fermentation remain in the tank for tank method wines?
as little as one month
How is the 2nd fermentation arrested for tank wines?
cooling temps to 2-4C when the desired pressure and residual sugar has been reached
What occurs if the wine is removed from the yeast lees immediately when fermentation is complete in tank method wines?
the wine will retain its full fruity aromas and flavors
What happens in tank method at the end of fermentation or lees contact?
wine is cold stabilized to precipitate tartrates and the yeast is removed by centrifugation or filtration
Sugar levels may be adjusted and sulfur dioxide levels are checked and corrected prior to sterile filtration and bottling
wine is chilled to -2C to stabilize and to reduced effervescence and then bottled with counter pressure filler
How long are wines aged on lees in the tank method?
can be up to 9 months if lees matured attributes are desired
what occurs when wine is aged on the lees during tank method?
temp lowered to 2-4C and paddles within the tanks are used to stir up the lees to maximize the contact between the lees and wine
what is a disadvantage of leaving wine on the lees in tank method
expensive pressurized tanks are then tied up months many economic advantages of the tank method are lost
What is a counter pressure filler
used with other carbonated drinks in which the bottle is first filled with C02 under pressure then the bottle is filled with chilled wine replacing the added C02
what does a counter pressure filler prevent?
entrance of O2 and loss of C02
What is the Asti method
a variation of the tank method that produces wine in a single fermentation
what is the process in the Asti method?
sugar is converted into C02, giving bubbles in the final wine, comes from the sugar in the original must not through later tirage.
during first stages of fermentation C02 is allowed to escape through a valve in the tank. part way through fermentation the valve is closed and C02 is retained
wine continues to ferment during which time the sugar levels continue to fall and pressure in the tank increases
once desired residual sugar level and pressure is obtained fermentation is stopped by rapidly chilling the wine and filtering it under pressure to remove the yeast
Where is the must fermented in Asti Method?
reinforcement tanks
How is the timing of when the valve is shut off in the Asti method determined
it depends on the level of pressure and amount of sugar desired in the final wine
What is the least expensive and least prestigious method of sparkling wine production?
injection with carbon dioxide under pressure = carbonation
when can carbonation be used successfully
for petillant, lower pressure wines
disadvantage of carbonation
bubbles may die quickly in a fully sparkling wine
advantages of carbonation?
leaving aroma and flavor characteristics of the base wine intact and thus is suitable for aromatic or fruity sparkling wines
Why does the base wine need to be of good quality when using carbonation?
any fruits will be accentuated by the bubbles
What are the levels of residual sugar for each of the following labeling terms in EU:
Brut Nature
Extra brut
Brut
Extra-sec
Sec
Demi-Sec
Doux
Brut Nature = 0-3
Extra brut = 0-6
Brut = 0-12
Extra-sec = 12-17
Sec = 17-32
Demi-Sec 32-50
Doux = 50+
What is the preferred method for sealing a sparkling wine bottle?
cork
what shape and size in a typical cork used to seal sparkling wine
same shape as a still wine cork, but bigger 31 mm in diameter (ends up looking like a mushroom when removed)
what are sparkling wine corks typically made of and why?
agglomerate cork onto which two disks of natural cork have been glued
impossible to cut a cork of this width from a cork tree of the appropriate age
what happens when corking a sparkling wine cork?
the cork is compressed by the machine’s jaws around half its diameter and inserted into the bottle neck where it immediately tried to expand back to its original size
how big in the inside neck diameter of a wine bottle? what does this do to the cork of a sparkling wine?
18-21mm
the cork remains compressed to about 60-70% of its original diameter causing the cork to adhere tightly to the glass preventing the wine from leaking
How is it possible for technical corks such as DIAM to be used more frequently for sparkling wines now?
recent technology has allowed for the removal of cork taint aromas from cork particles
When is a crown cap sometimes used with sparkling wines? why?
ancestral method
as part of the informal styling of the wine
How does the amount of sugar available to be turned into alcohol and C02 affect the bubbles in sparkling wine?
the more sugar that is available and can be converted the more C02 there will be
what type of factors does the capacity of C02 to be dissolved in the wine depend on?
grape variety used
health of grapes (presence of botrytis reduces the amount of bubble formation) and the winemaking process
How does the amount of time on lees affect the bubbles in sparkling wine?
some C02 is lost as time on lees increases, however longer time on lees will produce longer lasting foam
How well does the disgorgement process being carried out impact the bubbles of sparkling wine?
if carried out well little C02 is lost
what are big factors on the formation and size of bubbles in a sparkling wine
the time in the bottle and type of closure
How does the characteristics of the glass being used to drink the wine impacts the bubbles in the sparkling wine?
size and shape of glasses, way the glasses were cleaned, temperature of wine when served, (lower temp = less C02) and how wine is served.
in general what is the difference between the mouse of a tank method sparkling wine and a traditional method sparkling wine?
tank method wines = not aged on the lees for extended periods of time = lively but short lived bubbles
traditional method wines = aged on the lees for 18 months or more
