Bâtonnage

Bâtonage is the process of stirring barrels, or any other vessel holding wine to re-suspend lees, consisting mostly of dead yeast. Stirring the lees impacts the texture, aroma and flavour. In addition, the process introduces oxygen as the vessel must be unsealed to insert the stirrer.

Chief Wine Hacker

« Back to Wine Words Index

Bâtonnage is the process of stirring barrels, or any other vessel holding wine to re-suspend lees, consisting mostly of dead yeast. Stirring the lees impacts the texture, aroma and flavour. In addition, the process introduces oxygen as the vessel must be unsealed to insert the stirrer. It’s an important part of the élévage of the wine. Typically stirring will be more frequent in the early phase of ageing. Frequency will be determined by experience and tasting the wine. There is little point in stirring the wine more frequently than weekly as the lees takes a week to settle and the impact of the introduction of oxygen could be too severe.

 

Synonyms:
Lees Stirring
« Back to Wine Words Index

Feeling Thirsty?

Domaine Guy Amiot et Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Les Caillerets' 2017
Lovers of flavourful Chardonnay will be happy here! Excellent gear. A step up in acid levels from 'Les Vergers'. Lovely flavour profile here. From Meadow's notes the flavour profiles is much the same. What clearly has changed over a couple of years in the bottle is the expression. No longer the shy, reticent teenager. Now a vivacious creature with a certain delicacy and that full flavoured profile I've come to expect from Amiot. The flow and texture across palate is excellent with a fine finish.
$221
$211ea in any 3+
$201ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Antoniolo Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2017

Antoniolo Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2017

Nebbiolo | Italy, Alto Piemonte

The Gattinara Riserva has an entrancing set of aromas and flavours, dark fruits, woody herbs, a little savoury and truffly with a top note perfume to round it out. Fresh yet beautifully developed, flowing with generous fruit of a weightless feel. The mouthfeel has a vitalising grip that sits beautifully with juicy, fine acid. Fantastic drinking!It feels like the 2016 with a little extra pop of energy!That my friends is the 3-peat! Antoniolo's Gattinaras from 2015, 2016 & 2017 are
$152
$145ea in any 3+
$138ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Domaine A et P de Villaine Bourgogne Rouge 'La Digoine' 2023
La Digoine is a site at the foot of a slope, known for centuries to provide the deep soil and growing conditions necessary for excellent red wine.Our vineyard here is planted in moderate-yield Pinot Noir.La Digoine can be drunk very young. Within two or three months of bottling, it demonstrates immediate appeal with red berry fruit and a balance of roundness, structure, and lenght on the palate. However, this is another versatil wine which benefits from bottle aging.After 18 to 24 mo
$159
$152ea in any 3+
$145ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva 'Monfortino' 2019
💯💯💯

Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva ‘Monfortino’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

3-Bottle Orders come in a Wooden Box It's been a while, alas. The last vintage of this legendary wine was 2015. Skipping forward to a year of natural richness and concentration, the Giacomo Conterno 2019 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is a magnificently executed wine. It carefully reins in the soaring power of Nebbiolo and whittles it down to extreme finesse and precision. This is the essence of the grape with no extra bells or whistles. Roberto Conterno tells me he chose not to make Monfortino in 20
$2,495
Add to cart
More Info