How to make wine sparkling

Wine is a beloved beverage enjoyed by many around the world. While still wines are delicious, adding fizz to your favorite wine can bring an extra level of celebration and excitement. Sparkling wine, also commonly known as champagne, has been a popular choice for special occasions and celebratory moments for centuries. Making wine sparkling involves an added step of carbonation, which can be achieved through both traditional and modern methods. In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process of making wine sparkling.

1. Choose the Right Base Wine:
The first and most crucial step in making sparkling wine is to select the perfect base wine. The base wine should have relatively high acidity and low sugar content. Traditionally, sparkling wine is made using varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. However, you can experiment with different grape varieties to explore unique flavors.

2. Prepare the Wine for Secondary Fermentation:
To make wine sparkling, it undergoes a secondary fermentation process. Initially, the base wine is made through the usual winemaking process of crushing, fermenting, and clarifying the grape juice. After this process, the wine is bottled with a mixture of additional sugar and yeast (known as the tirage), which will generate carbon dioxide during the secondary fermentation.

3. Ageing on Lees:
After adding the tirage, the wine bottles are sealed tightly with crown caps or corks to allow the secondary fermentation to take place. The wine is then left to age on its lees, which are the dead yeast cells. This process can take anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the desired style and flavor of the sparkling wine. The longer the ageing, the more complex the wine becomes.

4. Riddling:
Riddling is a traditional method of removing the yeast sediments that accumulate during the secondary fermentation. The bottles are placed neck-down in special racks known as pupitres, which gradually tilt them downward over time. Every few days, the bottles are given a gentle shake and a slight twist (known as a “riddle”) to help the sediments settle towards the bottle’s neck.

5. Disgorgement:
Once the lees have settled in the bottle’s neck, it’s time for disgorgement. The neck of the bottle is carefully frozen, ensuring the yeast’s sediments form a solid plug. The bottle is then quickly opened, and the pressure inside the bottle pushes out the plug of frozen sediment. Some sparkling winemakers add a dosage, a mixture of wine and sugar, to balance the acidity and sweetness levels before recorking.

6. Bottle Conditioning:
After disgorging, the sparkling wine is recorked and sealed with either a cork and wire cage (like traditional champagne) or a crown cap (like sparkling wine). The wine then undergoes a period of bottle conditioning, allowing it to integrate and develop its flavors before being ready for consumption.

7. Enjoying the Sparkle:
Once the bottle conditioning period is complete, it’s time to open the bottle and enjoy your homemade sparkling wine! Remember to chill the bottle to the ideal serving temperature, usually around 45-50°F (7-10°C). Sparkling wine pairs well with a variety of dishes and is perfect for toasting, celebrations, or simply savoring a luxurious moment.

Making wine sparkling is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process, but the end result is worth the effort. Whether you prefer to follow the traditional method or opt for modern techniques, the process of transforming a still wine into a sparkling one remains a fascinating art. So, go ahead and embark on your winemaking adventure to create your own effervescent delight. Cheers!