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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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This was one of the few wines in the line-up to display any appreciable reduction and in this case it's enough to mask the underlying fruit. The suave, round and highly seductive medium-bodied flavors possess a caressing texture yet there is good underlying power to the acceptably long and complex finale. This seemed slightly out of sorts though I suspect that it will better harmonize once in bottle. Allen Meadows, Burghound 90-93 Points
$915
$895ea in any 3+
$875ea in any 6+
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Vietti Barbaresco ‘Masseria Roncaglie’ 2018

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

In my view the Barbaresco Masseria is the most under-the-radar wine at Vietti....The 2018 marks an important transition for the Masseria which is a trademarked brand, not a vineyard, named for one of the hamlets within the Cottá sub-zone where Alfredo Currado first sourced fruit for this wine in the 1960s. Over the years vineyard sources for the Barbaresco have varied.... Beginning in 2018, the Masseria is made exclusively from a sizeable parcel in Roncaglie Vietti acquired from Socré. Vinous
$258
$248ea in any 3+
$238ea in any 6+
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Domaine des Hauts Châssis Crozes Hermitage ‘Les Galets’ 2021

Shiraz/Syrah | Rhône Valley, Crozes-Hermitage

There's Crozes and then there's Crozes - Franck Faugier has made a cracker! Stunning Syrah 🍇 Perfume violets, draws you in with the depth and length of aroma. Beautiful integration finely spiced, with a earthy, seasoned wood from grape not oak rhubarb red fruit. Heart shape complete, beautifully weighted and sophisticated. Excellent drinking. Long fine delicious. Honest wines made by farmers of stone fruit & grapes with bloody good palates Galets are pebbles, the vineyard is covered
$80
$76ea in any 3+
$72ea in any 6+
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The Bold!

Giovanni Sordo Barolo Riserva ‘Gabutti’ 2008

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

The 2008 Riserva we see the parallels with the 2015. The long structure is there, the complexity has built further, the wine is now fully comfortable wearing it's own skin, having resolved and built generosity. Of the 2015 it was clear that there was no chance to mistake the Gabutti, with its abundance of darker things; stock, porcini, graphite, smoke and black cherry. Under this very typical Serralunga ‘tarry/earthy’ mantle though, are other complexities of dried roses, orange and spices. T
$198
$191ea in any 3+
$184ea in any 6+
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