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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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Domaine SC Guillard Gevrey-Chambertin 2019

Pinot Noir | Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy

Deep crimson, quite deep color. The nose is layered with berry fruit, raspberry, wild strawberry, cassis and briary fruit. There is lovely perfume lift and a purity of fruit. It is super fresh and focused. The palate is beautifully balanced and finely structured with spice, red berry loads of silky tannins and a long driven finish. Lovely balance and length.  Drink 2025-2035. Tom Carson
$99
$94ea in any 3+
$89ea in any 6+
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Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape MAGNUM 2020

Rhône Blend | Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape

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$605ea in any 3+
$590ea in any 6+
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$110
$105ea in any 3+
$100ea in any 6+
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Domaine de la Pousse d’Or Grand Cru Clos de la Roche 2020

Pinot Noir | Chambolle-Musigny, France

A perfumed and exceptionally pretty nose combines notes of dark raspberry, exotic tea and a broad range of floral elements. The succulent, refined and admirably punchy medium weight plus flavors possess excellent delineation and a taut muscularity that becomes more prominent on the saline and bitter pit fruit-suffused finale. This well-balanced and very promising effort that delivers first-rate length. 2032+ (from a .32 ha parcel) Allen Meadows, Burghound
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$945ea in any 3+
$925ea in any 6+
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