Chaptalisation

Chaptalisation is the process of adding sugar to fermenting grape juice or must, enriching it to increase the final alcohol of the wine.

Chief Wine Hacker

« Back to Wine Words Index

Chaptalisation is the process of adding sugar to fermenting grape juice or must, enriching it to increase the final alcohol of the wine. Wine and food laws permitting chaptalisation vary from country to country and region to region. In most countries chaptalisation is carried using cane sugar. In Australia it is only permitted to use grape juice concentrate. This is typically made from high yield neutral varieties grown in the Riverland and will come in liquid form thicker than honey at concentration of around 70% sugar. It is common practice for winemakers who chaptalise in Australia to use cane sugar to avoid the flavours, aroma and other undesirable components that come in grape juice concentrate.

Synonyms:
Chaptalize, Chaptalization, Chaptalise, Crystal Sunshine
« Back to Wine Words Index

Feeling Thirsty?

Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils Grand Cru 'Chambertin Clos de Bèze' 2019

Pinot Noir from Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte-de-Nuits

Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils Grand Cru ‘Chambertin Clos de Bèze’ 2019

"Here too there is just enough wood present to remark upon mingling with the equally spicy nose that features notes of plum, various dark berries, exotic tea and hints of game. The sleek, cool and restrained larger-scaled flavors are finer still while flashing no lack of power and drive that really builds toward the intensely saline-suffused finish. This is very classy juice that should age effortlessly for the next two decades."Allen Meadows, Burghound

Vintage 2019
$1,290
$1270ea in any 3+
$1250ea in any 6+
Add to cart
Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros 'Cote de Bouguerots' 2020

Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy

Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros ‘Cote de Bouguerots’ 2020

Bougros sits on a very steep slope, with a gradient of more than 30%, facing due south at the foot of the hill. The shallow soil, a mixture of clay and gravel, prevents excessive yields resulting in complex, robust wines.Note: from a 2.2 ha parcel at the bottom section of the vineyard; even so, the vineyard is so steep here that it must be worked entirely by hand as tractors would be dangerous to use.In a sense, the 2020 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Côte Bouguerots offers a resumé of

Vintage 2020
$275
$265ea in any 3+
$255ea in any 6+
Add to cart
Luigi Baudana Barolo 'Baudana' 2019

Nebbiolo from Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

Luigi Baudana Barolo ‘Baudana’ 2019

Nebbiolo, Barolo, Serralunga, Baudana = Enough Said! The 2019 Barolo Baudana is absolutely captivating. Effusive and bright in the glass, with tons of freshness and remarkable fruit purity, the Baudana offers up generous dark red fruit, spice, leather, kirsch, hard candy, cedar, tobacco and underbrush. There's terrific depth here and exceptional balance, too. Rose petal, white pepper and chalk lift the high-toned, intensely saline finish.Antonio Galloni, Vinous 96 Points 94 ML

Vintage 2019
$232
$222ea in any 3+
$212ea in any 6+
Add to cart
Nanclares y Prieto ‘Coccinella’ Albariño 2024

Albariño from Rìas Baixas, Galicia

Nanclares y Prieto ‘Coccinella’ Albariño 2024

This single parcel, Inxertal, is inland and a site that recently had to be blended away as the 100 year old 0.15ha site yields only around 600kg of grapes. Thankfully this year they were able to bottle it again and we can see where the intensity of low yielding inland fruit meets that soulful expression from Alberto and Silvia. Rich yellow peach and flinty minerality on the nose, tightly wrapped by that 400L barrel. The particular site has a honeysuckle and floral aroma that is persistent year o

Vintage 2024
$106
$101ea in any 3+
$96ea in any 6+
Add to cart