1

Délestage

Délestage is a French winemaking term, known as “Rack and Return” in English. It refers to the process during fermentation of a red wine, where all of the liquid in a fermenting red wine is drained from the skins, seeds and stalks into another tank or vessel and then returning it back to the original fermenter often by pumping it over the top of the skins.

Chief Wine Hacker

« Back to Wine Words Index

Délestage is a French winemaking term, known as “Rack and Return” in English. It refers to the process during fermentation of a red wine, where all of the liquid in a fermenting red wine is drained from the skins, seeds and stalks into another tank or vessel and then returning it back to the original fermenter often by pumping it over the top of the skins. It is done to introduce oxygen, moderate temperature, and, encourage the extraction of colour, flavour and tannin from the skins, seeds and stalks.

You can watch it happening during the making of our 2017 Wine Decoded Shiraz, in the Wine Bites Article below. The importance of oxygen introduction for yeast health and the development of red wines during fermentation is also discussed in the video.

Buggy Moving Ferments are Cranking – Bathtub Winemaking Project Day 11 Episode 1

Synonyms:
Rack and Return, Racking and Returning
« Back to Wine Words Index

Feeling Thirsty?

This became the Nikolaihof “manor” wine after a natural fermentation stop. Bright and intense on the nose, with aromas of minerality, wet forest floor, sweet peach, white flowers, and a hint of dry bread and honey. It fits perfectly with Asian and spicy dishes due to its light sweetness. Clear and intense on the nose, with aromas of minerality, forest floor, sweet peach, white flowers and a hint of dry bread and honey with a slightly sweet aftertaste. **DUE MID-2024**
$237
$227ea in any 3+
$217ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info

Borgogno Barolo ‘Cannubi’ DOCG 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

"The 2016 Barolo Cannubi is the first Borgogno Barolo made from organically farmed vineyards, which represents a pretty significant shift here. Bright and beautifully lifted in the glass, the Cannubi is so expressive today. Succulent red berry fruit, spice, blood orange, rose petal and star anise build as this sensual, open-knit Barolo shows off its allure, which is considerable." Galloni, Vinous
$247
$237ea in any 3+
$227ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info

Selbach Oster Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese* 2019

Riesling | Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

"The 2019er Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese * was made from fruit harvested at 100° Oechsle and fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (81 g/l). It exhibits some smoky, minty, and ripe scents of pear, quince, almond cream, lavender, pineapple, and smoke on the nose. The wine reveals a more exotic and animating side on the delicate and subtly smooth palate, and leaves one with a feeling of presence and intensity, but all focused and chiseled in the long finish. 2026-2039." Jea
$88
$84ea in any 3+
$80ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
The Fabrice Session 🎧 & 🎥 Inside!

R.Pouillon ‘Solera’ 1997-2016 NV II

Blend | Vallée de la Marne, Champagne

When I was making wine at Yarra Yering we used a Solera barrel of Chardonnay in the liqueur d'expedition for the fizz. The depth, length, and, complexity of this wine with those Oxy notes was a great foil to the richness in the base wines. Fascinating to see what happend to wines made of quality fruit when you age them for extended periods in wood.
$250
$240ea in any 3+
$230ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info