1

Liqueur d’Expedition

The liqueur d’expedition is the liquid used to top up bottle fermented sparkling wines after they have been disgorged to remove all the dead yeast from the bottle & before they are re-sealed ready for packaging and sale.
The composition of the liqueur depends on the style being made.

Chief Wine Hacker

« Back to Wine Words Index

The liqueur d’expedition is the liquid used to top up bottle fermented sparkling wines after they have been disgorged to remove all the dead yeast from the bottle & before they are re-sealed ready for packaging and sale.

The composition of the liqueur depends on the style being made.

The base of liqueur is typically a wine, often the same wine that is being disgorged. The options for the base are limitless, some produces have a special solera or reserve wine that they use at this point to add complexity.

Sugar can be added, typically cane sugar, to balance acid or create a sweeter style like a demi-sec. This sugar is known as the dosage. Dosage ranges from nothing, with a low dosage anything below 5g/L. For the sweetest of the Champagne styles, the ‘demi-sec’ or half sweet between 30-50g/l of sugar is added.

  • Brut Nature or Dosage Zero = 0-3g/l – bone dry
  • Extra brut = 0-6 g/l – very dry
  • Brut = 0-12 gl – dry
  • Extra Sec or Extra Dry = 12-17 g/l – dry to medium dry
  • Sec or Dry 17-32 g/l – medium to medium sweet
  • Demi-sec or Rich 32-50 g/l – sweet

Sulphur may be added to protect the wine from oxidation.

Depending on where you are in the world a very small amount of cognac, sherry, or other secret ingredients may be added.

« Back to Wine Words Index

Feeling Thirsty?

Benjamin Leroux Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2020

Pinot Noir | Volnay, Côte du Beaune

Les Santenots is one of the top 1er Cru sites of Volnay. Here, the clay-rich soils gift wines of perfumed depth and silken structure. To give you some idea of the site’s quality, many years ago we asked Benjamin Leroux if there was one vineyard in Volnay he would like to work with, and he replied Santenots without hesitation, mentioning that he buys the wine of this vineyard from his friend Dominique Lafon each year. Of course, he then went on to speak about Rugiens and Caillerets (the most re
$298
$291ea in any 3+
$284ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
This Climat is almost an extension of the slopes where the Grands Crus grow, with only a small path separating them. Sitting directly alongside Les Preuses, the proximity to its illustrious neighbours results in powerful, mineral wines. A much less expressive nose, indeed it is all but mute, requires aggressive swirling to eventually coax aromas of white orchard fruit, citrus blossom and seawater. The richer and slightly more powerful flavors also possess a sophisticated mouthfeel along w
$415
$400ea in any 3+
$385ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
Old vine depth & persistence
Lovely limpid color bright. Nose detailed cool fruits red fruit focused hint of rose petal and a lick of new oak. Palate is tight and super fresh and intense but also has an airy lightness to it. Tannins are slightly sinewy and grippy to close but the elevated fruit and texture carry long. Pure and focused Drink 2023-2038 Tom Carson
$119
$104ea in any 3+
$99ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info
As expected this is delicious, and that little bit more giving over the 2016. I’d go so far as to say it’s drinking well now, again like all of the wines of the estate I’ve tried, a little extra time will be its friend. While I say it is drinking well now, I mean as a young Burgundy, the metamorphisis that occurs with great Burgundy always requires time. It’ll be smack bang in the drinking window well before the 2016. This is a case of celebrating the difference not necessarily choosing
$310
$300ea in any 3+
$290ea in any 6+
Add to cart
More Info