Sparkling Wines Chapter 24 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

How are the bubbles created in sparkling wines?

Dissolved carbon dioxide gas (CO2)

What are the two methods of making sparkling wine?

Carbonic maceration

Bottle fermentation (correct)

Sparkling infusion

Tank fermentation (correct)

What is the base wine for sparkling wines like?

Dry, high in acidity, low in alcohol, usually a blend of different vintages, varieties, villages.

What makes the bubbles in most sparkling wines?

Second fermentation Signup and view all the answers

How is the second fermentation started?

Sugar and yeast are added to dry base wine. Signup and view all the answers

Where does fermentation take place for sparkling wine?

In a sealed vessel. Signup and view all the answers

What is bottle fermentation?

Traditional method of sparkling wine production. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of riddling?

Moving the lees from the side of the bottle to the neck of the bottle. Signup and view all the answers

What is disgorgement in sparkling wine production?

Removal of the lees. Signup and view all the answers

What is dosage in sparkling wine production?

Topping the bottle with a wine and sugar mixture before resealing. Signup and view all the answers

What does liqueur d'expedition refer to?

The wine and sugar mixture added to the finished sparkling wine. Signup and view all the answers

What is brut in relation to sparkling wines?

A style where very small amounts of sugar are added. Signup and view all the answers

What is demi-sec in sparkling wines?

Medium sweetness. Signup and view all the answers

What is the traditional method in sparkling wine production?

Comprises base wine, second fermentation, riddling, disgorgement, dosage, and resealing. Signup and view all the answers

How many varieties of base wine are used in Champagne?

Three varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Signup and view all the answers

What is the legal minimum amount of time aged on the lees in Champagne?

12 months. Signup and view all the answers

What are some famous bottle fermented sparkling wines?

Methode Cap Classique Signup and view all the answers

Where does Cava come from?

Spain, specifically Catalunya. Signup and view all the answers

What are the grape varieties used to make Cava?

Local Spanish varietals, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Signup and view all the answers

What flavors are typical in Cava?

Apple and pear with very subtle autolytic characters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the climate in Champagne?

Cool climate. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sparkling Wines Overview

Bubbles in sparkling wines are primarily created by dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2); can be artificially added or naturally produced during fermentation.
Two key methods for making sparkling wine: bottle fermentation and tank fermentation.

Base Wine Characteristics

Typical base wine for sparkling wines is dry, high in acidity, and low in alcohol, often a blend of various vintages, grape varieties, and regions.

Second Fermentation Process

Second fermentation is crucial for producing bubbles, initiated by adding sugar and yeast to dry base wine, resulting in an increase of alcohol content by about 1.5%.
This fermentation occurs in sealed vessels, either bottles (bottle fermentation) or tanks (tank fermentation).

Bottle Fermentation

Also referred to as the traditional method; involves several key steps:
- Addition of sugar and yeast to base wine, bottle sealed with crown cap, placed on its side.
- Yeast forms sediment (lees) in the bottle, leading to autolysis, which contributes flavors like bread and biscuit to the wine.
- Prolonged contact with lees intensifies these flavors.

Riddling and Disgorgement

Riddling is the process of shifting lees from the side of the bottle to the neck, done slowly by hand or with gyro-palettes.
Disgorgement involves freezing the neck of the bottle to remove the lees as a plug of ice when the crown cap is removed, using CO2 pressure.

Dosage and Sweetness Levels

Dosage: Before resealing, a mixture of wine and sugar is added, determining the final sweetness of the sparkling wine.
Common sweetness levels include:
- Brut: Minimal sugar, high acidity, lively bubbles.
- Demi-sec: Medium sweetness with higher sugar content.

Traditional Method Steps

The traditional method includes:
- Creation of base wine
- Second fermentation
- Riddling
- Disgorgement
- Dosage
- Resealing with a thick cork and wire cage.

Key Sparkling Wines

Notable bottle-fermented sparkling wines include Champagne, Cava, and Methode Cap Classique.

Champagne Facts

Champagne originates from Northern France in a cool climate.
Base wine typically uses three grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Non-vintage (NV) Champagnes are blends from multiple vintages.
Legal minimum aging on lees is 12 months for the least expensive quality.

Cava Specifics

Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine from Catalunya, is characterized by neutral fruit flavors and medium acidity, primarily using local varietals but can also include Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Most Cava is best enjoyed soon after release.

Regional Sparkling Wines

South Africa, California, Australia, and New Zealand are cooler regions known for high-quality sparkling wines, often using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as base grapes.
Methode Cap Classique indicates South African use of the traditional method.

Alternative Methods and Sweet Wines

Tank method is less labor-intensive and avoids autolytic flavors; base wine, sugar, and yeast are added to a tank, filtered to remove lees, then bottled under pressure.
Asti DOCG from Piedmont, Italy, produces sweet, fruity wines from the Moscato grape, characterized by floral aromas and flavors of peaches and pears.

Prosecco Methodology

Prosecco DOC employs the tank method using Glera as the base wine, resulting in light to medium-bodied wines with flavors of apple and melon, available in dry or off-dry styles.

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Test your knowledge on the production of sparkling wines with these flashcards. Learn about the methods, techniques, and characteristics that define sparkling wines. Perfect for students and enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of these effervescent beverages.