Sparkling Wines

Question 1

What are the three primary methods of sparkling wine production?

Answer 1

1. Traditional Method (Méthode Traditionnelle) – second fermentation in the bottle
2. Charmat Method (Tank Method) – second fermentation in pressurized tank
3. Ancestral Method – single fermentation, bottled before completion

Question 2

What are the main steps of the Traditional Method (Méthode Traditionnelle)?

Answer 2

• Base wine fermentation
• Blending (assemblage)
• Bottling with yeast + sugar (tirage)
• Second fermentation in bottle
• Aging on lees
• Riddling
• Disgorgement
• Dosage
• Corking

Question 3

What styles of sparkling wine are usually made using the Traditional Method?

Answer 3

Champagne, Cava, Crémant, Franciacorta, some Cap Classique (South Africa), and high-end sparkling wines globally.

Question 4

What are common terms used for the Traditional Method outside France?

Answer 4

• Spain: Método Tradicional (Cava)
• Italy: Metodo Classico
• Germany: Klassische Flaschengärung
• South Africa: Méthode Cap Classique (MCC)
• United States/England: Traditional Method

Question 5

What is the Charmat (Tank) Method and what styles is it used for?

Answer 5

A method where the second fermentation occurs in a sealed tank; used for Prosecco, Lambrusco, Asti.

Question 6

What are the advantages of the Charmat Method?

Answer 6

Faster, more cost-effective, preserves fruity and aromatic character.

Question 7

What is the Ancestral Method?

Answer 7

A traditional, rustic method where wine is bottled during the first fermentation, resulting in natural carbonation; used in pét-nat (pétillant-naturel).

Question 8

Name alternate appellations for sparkling wine in France (outside Champagne).

Answer 8

Crémant (e.g. Crémant d’Alsace, Crémant de Bourgogne, Crémant de Loire, Crémant de Limoux)

Question 9

What is Cava and where is it produced?

Answer 9

A traditional method sparkling wine produced mainly in Catalonia, Spain.

Question 10

What is Franciacorta?

Answer 10

A traditional method sparkling wine from Lombardy, Italy, made mainly from Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco.

Question 11

What is Prosecco and how is it made?

Answer 11

A sparkling wine from Veneto, Italy, made using the Charmat Method, primarily from the Glera grape.

Question 12

What is Sekt?

Answer 12

German sparkling wine, often made by tank method; top-quality examples (e.g., Winzersekt) may use traditional method.

Question 13

What are the principal sparkling wines of Italy?

Answer 13

• Prosecco (Veneto – Glera)
• Franciacorta (Lombardy – Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco)
• Asti Spumante / Moscato d’Asti (Piedmont – Moscato Bianco)
• Lambrusco (Emilia-Romagna – Lambrusco grapes)

Question 14

What are the principal sparkling wines of Germany and their grape varietals?

Answer 14

• Sekt – Can be made from Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir
• Winzersekt – Grower Sekt, usually 100% varietal (often Riesling), traditional method

Question 15

What is the principal sparkling wine of Austria?

Answer 15

Austrian Sekt – made from Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, and international grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Question 16

What is the principal sparkling wine of Portugal and what grape is commonly used?

Answer 16

Espumante – made from Baga (especially in Bairrada), as well as Arinto and Fernão Pires.

Question 17

What is the primary sparkling wine of South Africa and how is it produced?

Answer 17

Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) – traditional method, often made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Question 18

What are the primary sparkling wines of Australia and their grape varietals?

Answer 18

• Tasmania & Yarra Valley: Traditional method, often Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
• Red sparkling Shiraz: Unique to Australia, often full-bodied and slightly sweet

Question 19

What is the sparkling wine production like in New Zealand?

Answer 19

High-quality traditional method sparkling wines, especially from Marlborough, made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Question 20

What grape is primarily used in Prosecco?

Answer 20

Glera

Question 21

What grapes are typically used in Cava production?

Answer 21

Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Parellada; sometimes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Question 22

What is the principal grape used in Asti Spumante?

Answer 22

Moscato Bianco (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains).

Question 23

What grapes are used in Champagne?

Answer 23

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier.

Question 24

What grapes are commonly used in Crémant wines?

Answer 24

Varies by region:
- Crémant de Bourgogne: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- Crémant d’Alsace: Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris
- Crémant de Loire: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay