Sparkling Wine Methods

Question 1

What are the 3 main methods of making sparkling wine?

Answer 1

1. Méthode Champenoise
2. Transfer Method
3. Tank Method

Question 2

Name 4 examples of sparkling wines made with Méthode Champenoise.

Answer 2

1. Champagne
2. Crémant
3. Cava (Spain)
4. Franciacorta (Italy)

Question 3

What is Transfer Method used for?

Answer 3

• Small format bottles, e.g. 187mL
• Large format bottles (bigger than magnums)

Question 4

Name 3 examples of Tank Method sparkling wine.

Answer 4

1. Prosecco
2. Lambrusco
3. Moscato d’Asti

These are all Italian

Question 5

What are the similarities and differences between Transfer Method and Méthode Champenoise wines?

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

In Tank Method, secondary fermentation takes place in a ______.

Answer 6

pressurized tank

Question 7

In Méthode Champenoise, secondary fermentation takes place in _____.

Answer 7

the same bottle in which it will later be sold.

Question 8

What is the order of steps for Méthode Champenoise AFTER the base wine has been bottled?

Answer 8

1. Tirage added (sugar + yeast to ignite secondary fermentation)
2. Secondary fermentation
3. Autolysis
4. Riddling
5. Disgorgement
6. Dosage

Question 9

What is the order of steps for Transfer Method AFTER the base wine has been bottled?

Answer 9

1. Tirage added (sugar + yeast to ignite secondary fermentation)
2. Secondary fermentation
3. Autolysis
4. Bottles emptied into pressurized tanks
5. Filtration
6. Dosage
7. Rebottled

Note: there is no riddling in Transfer Method

Question 10

What is the order of steps for Tank Method AFTER the base wine has been moved sealed in a pressurized tank?

Answer 10

1. Tirage added (sugar + yeast added to ignite secondary fermentation)
2. Secondary fermentation
3. (Short lees aging, if any)
4. Filtered under pressure
5. Dosage under pressure

Question 11

What are some benefits to making wines using Méthode Champenoise?

Answer 11

• Extended lees contact
• More pronounced lees aromas/flavors (bread, biscuit)

Question 12

What are some benefits to making wines using Transfer Method?

Answer 12

• Autolytic flavors from lees contact (bread, biscuit)
• No riddling

Question 13

What are some benefits to making wines using Tank Method?

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

What is the Charmat method?

AKA Cuve Close and Tank Method

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What is Méthode Ancestrale?

Answer 15

• 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.

Question 16

What part of Australia is known for its sparkling wine?

Answer 16

Tasmania

They’re made using Traditional Method

Question 17

In which region of New Zealand are good quality sparkling wines being produced?

Answer 17

Marlborough