How sparkling wine is made
How sparkling wine is made
Jan 1, 2013 6
(FoxNews) - How do those bubbles get in the bottle? For some lower-end wines, it's the same way sodas are carbonated, through the introduction of carbon dioxide gas. But higher-end wines are crafted utilizing a more expensive and complex technique named after the finest sparkling wines, "méthode champenoise."
Whether it's sparkling Shiraz from Australia, sparkling Riesling from Austria, Cava from Spain or Champagne from France, all wines begin in the vineyard. Soil, climate, weather and cultural practices affect the quality and character of the fruit. Once the grapes are harvested, they are placed in a destemmer/crusher, which separates the stems from the fruit and breaks up the berries. The stems are then discarded leaving a "must," a combination of juice, seeds, pulp and skins. At this point, the process for red and white wine production differs.
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