Chaptalisation


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

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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
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Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy

Domaine Thierry Laffay Chablis Vielles Vignes 2020

Showing exactly how important vine age is! A step up, an extra zip of salty acid and that mid palate weight with excellent length. Florals, white stone fruit a little citrus pith and plenty of fun. That slight primary edge that disappeared as it opened revealing excellent depth and length with restraint. A little more complexity. Mid palate texture is excellent. Hazelnuts and an extra layer of pleasure here. Excellent.

Vintage 2020
$83
$80ea in any 3+
$77ea in any 6+
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Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont

Vietti ‘Perbacco’ Langhe Nebbiolo MAGNUM 2020

Two of the best value Neb's on the market have to be Vietti's Castiglione Barolo and this wine Vietti's Perbacco! Every year I put away a box of Perbacco Magnums! They make for a wicked party wine!The 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco is another terrific entry-level wine from Vietti. In this vintage, the Perbacco is especially fine. Sweet dried cherry, herbs, mint, crushed flowers, anise and orange peel grace this striking, alluring Nebbiolo. There's tons of depth and sheer pedigree, things

Vintage 2020 Magnum 1.5L
$140
$135ea in any 3+
$130ea in any 6+

Nebbiolo from Castiglione Falletto, Barolo

Cascina Fontana Barolo 2016

Undoubtedly the best Fontana Barolo Classico I’ve had! Brooding yet open - perhaps explained by the mix of Castiglione Falletto (brooding) and La Morra (open) fruit.Undoubtedly the best Fontana Barolo Classico I’ve had. A little sappy, resinous (in a nice way)  layer of tannin combines with ripe even line of nutty tannin, fruit comes, building through the mid palate and lingers. This just needs time. It has that Castiglione Falleto youthful brooding nature to it. Give it a couple of yea

Vintage 2016
$175
$168ea in any 3+
$161ea in any 6+

Carricante from Etna, Sicily

Maugeri Contrada Volpare ‘Frontebosco’ Etna Bianco Superiore 2022

From the vineyard Frontebosco, in front of the forrest. Big jump in mid-palate weight from the Contrada Volpare with more exotics coming through in the mix. This is impressive, the underlying saline thing is there. Beautiful shape and flow, fans out building persistence and lingering citrus oils.Builds beautifully, super fine acid and nuanced, sophisticated phenolics that cleanse subtly. Seamless, harmonious and complete.Plenty more to come here. Drink it over 3-4 days & watch it s

Vintage 2022
$155
$148ea in any 3+
$141ea in any 6+
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