Sunday, November 20, 2011

CHAMPAGNE vs SPARKLING WINE



I had an argument with a friend yesterday about the differences between Champagne and Sparkling wine. To him, both champagne and Sparkling wine are the same, except you can't call Sparkling wine Champagne as it is not from the Champagne Region in France.

He is right on the Champagne naming but it is incorrect to say that  Champagne and Sparkling wine are the same.  Apart from the fact that the final product are both sparkling and bubbly, there is a difference on how champagne is made vs some sparkling wine. 


There are two* key methods in making sparkling wine. They are the TRADITIONAL METHOD (commonly known as the CHAMPAGNE METHOD) and the TANK METHOD


TRADITIONAL METHOD

In this method, winemakers allow the second fermentation to take place in the bottle itself. The wine is left to mature for 9 months to 3 years in the bottle to allow the yeast autolysis process to take place.  Thereafter, the bottles are riddled at different time period in a process called Remuage so that the lees will eventually settle in the neck of the bottle. Once the bottle is in an upside down position, the neck of the bottle is frozen in the brine and the crown cap removed. The yeast is ejected due to the pressure. The final step is to fill up the bottle with sweetened wine aka Liquer D'Expedition and  the sparkling wine is finally ready to be corked and dressed.  


Examples of Sparkling wine made using Traditional Method are CHAMPAGNE, CREMANT, CAVA (Spain)



Maturation in an underground cellar
Pupitre - aka Riddling Racks used in making Champagne


TANK METHOD


The key difference between the Tank and the Traditional Method is that the 2nd fermentation takes place in a sealed tank rather than in bottle. Dry wine is placed with sugar, yeast and clarifying agent in a tank. Thereafter, Sendiments are removed by filtration under pressure. Then, it is bottled. This is the most efficient and faster alternative.


Examples of Sparkling wine made using Tank Method are SEKT (German), ASTI/ PROCESCCO  (Italy)

Large Pressurized Tanks


* There is also the Transfer method which is not covered here.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

BEST WINE APP

I stumbled upon the BEST WINE APP ever in Korea!!


Produced by NAVER, no. 1 portal in Korea. All you need to do is to use your iphone/smartphone, take a photo of the wine label, press GO and it will automatically scan its database. It will then reveal the VINTAGE, TYPE OF WINE, DESCRIPTION, COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, PRICE and NAME OF IMPORTER. 

Watch the video below:





Thursday, October 6, 2011

WINE MARKETING

Front


This is the reason why they say that AUSTRALIANS are the best wine marketers. 


I bought the 2009 YALUMA The Y Series Shiraz at the Duty Free in Singapore Changi Airport recently.




Back

The fact that it has a peel away "To remember" label is priceless! 

As a wine buff, I am thrilled!!!


Also, Let us not forget that the Australians are among the first to introduce varietal labeling and provide information on wine and food pairing.

Keep up the good work!