méthode champenoise
In-bottle second fermentation
Méthode champenoise is the traditional French technique for making sparkling wine, where the second fermentation occurs in the bottle rather than in large tanks.
This process creates the fine bubbles characteristic of Champagne and high-quality sparkling wines.
Outside the Champagne region, producers often call it the "traditional method" due to EU naming restrictions: a California sparkler made in the méthode champenoise.
Speaking in enigmas
- disgorgementSurrender of ill-gotten gains
- dosageMeasured medicine amount
- cellaringUnderground wine storage
- autolysisCell's enzymatic self-destruction
lees · yeast · sediment · clarification · cork · assemblage
French white wine grape
- Pinot NoirRed grape, light-bodied wine
- blanc de blancsWhite-from-whites wine
- roséPink-hued wine
- cuvéeSelected wine batch
assemblage · pressing · must · vintage · non-vintage
Gas-filled liquid spheres
- mousseAiry whipped preparation
- effervescenceBubbling in liquid
- beadPierced ornament for threading
- fizzBubbly hissing sound
carbonation · sparkle · froth · finesse · persistent · delicate · creamy · coupe
French coronation site
- terroirGeography's influence on taste
- appellationName or title given
- grand cruHighest vineyard ranking
- négociantWine wholesaler, trader
riddling
Speaking in enigmas
- disgorgementSurrender of ill-gotten gains
- dosageMeasured medicine amount
- cellaringUnderground wine storage
autolysis · lees · yeast · sediment · clarification · cork · assemblage
Chardonnay
French white wine grape
- Pinot NoirRed grape, light-bodied wine
- blanc de blancsWhite-from-whites wine
- roséPink-hued wine
cuvée · assemblage · pressing · must · vintage · non-vintage
bubbles
Gas-filled liquid spheres
- mousseAiry whipped preparation
- effervescenceBubbling in liquid
- beadPierced ornament for threading
fizz · carbonation · sparkle · froth · finesse · persistent · delicate · creamy · coupe
Reims
French coronation site
- terroirGeography's influence on taste
- appellationName or title given
- grand cruHighest vineyard ranking
brut
Unsweetened sparkling wine designation