Cold Fermentation

A type of FERMENTATION that takes place in a vessel that can be cooled, usually a stainless steel tank. Because cool fermentations are slower and more gentle than those that occur at warm temperatures, they help preserve the wine’s fresh FRUIT AROMAS and flavors. Many light- and medium-bodied white wines are cold fermented.

Which sparkling wine is not made in the traditional method like Champagne?

A. Crémant d’Alsace

B. Prosecco

C. Cava

D. Franciacorta

Prosecco is made by the Charmat, or tank method. In this method, the second fermentation (which creates the bubbles) takes place in a large tank. By contrast, in the traditional (Champagne) method, the second fermentation takes place inside each individual bottle. There are many reasons why Prosecco is relatively inexpensive, while Champagne is relatively expensive. One of them has to do with this. It is much more painstaking and expensive to conduct the second fermentation inside individual bottles rather than giant tanks.

“It seems almost a moral obligation [in the Napa Valley] to make wines with a life, because you can’t do that everywhere. It’s a gift.”

―Cathy Corison, Corison Winery, as quoted in Wine Revolution by Jane Anson

―Cathy Corison, Corison Winery, as quoted in Wine Revolution by Jane Anson

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