Sparkling Wine Methods Flashcards
Learn the different ways to make sparkling wine.
What are the 3 main methods of making sparkling wine?
- Méthode Champenoise
- Transfer Method
- Tank Method
Name 4 examples of sparkling wines made with Méthode Champenoise.
- Champagne
- Crémant
- Cava (Spain)
- Franciacorta (Italy)
What is Transfer Method used for?
- Small format bottles, e.g. 187mL
- Large format bottles (bigger than magnums)
Name 3 examples of Tank Method sparkling wine.
- Prosecco
- Lambrusco
- Moscato d’Asti
These are all Italian
What are the similarities and differences between Transfer Method and Méthode Champenoise wines?
Similarity:
- both are made the same way up through the step of yeast autolysis
Differences:
- Transfer Method wines are emptied into pressurized tanks to be filtered, dosaged, and then rebottled into their small or large formats
- Méthode Champenoise wines remain in the same bottle until they’re consumed.
In Tank Method, secondary fermentation takes place in a ______.
pressurized tank
In Méthode Champenoise, secondary fermentation takes place in _____.
the same bottle in which it will later be sold.
What is the order of steps for Méthode Champenoise AFTER the base wine has been bottled?
- Tirage added (sugar + yeast to ignite secondary fermentation)
- Secondary fermentation
- Autolysis
- Riddling
- Disgorgement
- Dosage
What is the order of steps for Transfer Method AFTER the base wine has been bottled?
- Tirage added (sugar + yeast to ignite secondary fermentation)
- Secondary fermentation
- Autolysis
- Bottles emptied into pressurized tanks
- Filtration
- Dosage
- Rebottled
Note: there is no riddling in Transfer Method
What is the order of steps for Tank Method AFTER the base wine has been moved sealed in a pressurized tank?
- Tirage added (sugar + yeast added to ignite secondary fermentation)
- Secondary fermentation
- (Short lees aging, if any)
- Filtered under pressure
- Dosage under pressure
What are some benefits to making wines using Méthode Champenoise?
- Extended lees contact
- More pronounced lees aromas/flavors (bread, biscuit)
What are some benefits to making wines using Transfer Method?
- Autolytic flavors from lees contact (bread, biscuit)
- No riddling
What are some benefits to making wines using Tank Method?
- Cheaper than Transfer and Champenoise methods – no riddling, no disgorgement
- Quicker, too – fermentation finishes in 4-5 days
- Best method for semi-aromatic/aromatic grapes, e.g. Riesling
What is the Charmat method?
AKA Cuve Close and Tank Method
Developed by Eugene Charmat in the early 20th century, Charmat is a quicker, cheaper, and less labor-intensive way to make sparkling wine than the Traditional method.
Prosecco is made using Charmat
What is Méthode Ancestrale?
- A single fermentation for sparkling wine that begins in tank;
- It’s transferred to bottles before the process is complete making liqueur de tirage is unnecessary;
- Yeasts continue to ferment the remaining sugars in the bottle, giving the wine its sparkle;
- The residual sweetness of the finished wines varies by appellation, but dosage is not allowed;
- The wine may be disgorged, filtered and rebottled in clean glass prior to sale.
It’s the oldest way of making sparkling wine! Bugey Cerdon is an example of a wine made using Méthode Ancestrale.
What part of Australia is known for its sparkling wine?
Tasmania
They’re made using Traditional Method
In which region of New Zealand are good quality sparkling wines being produced?
Marlborough
