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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.

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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.

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This became the Nikolaihof “manor” wine after a natural fermentation stop. Bright and intense on the nose, with aromas of minerality, wet forest floor, sweet peach, white flowers, and a hint of dry bread and honey. It fits perfectly with Asian and spicy dishes due to its light sweetness. Clear and intense on the nose, with aromas of minerality, forest floor, sweet peach, white flowers and a hint of dry bread and honey with a slightly sweet aftertaste. **DUE MID-2024**
$237
$227ea in any 3+
$217ea in any 6+
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Maison Louis Jadot Montrachet Grand 2019

Chardonnay | Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy

"Aromas of buttered toast, honeyed peaches, white flowers and mint introduce the 2019 Montrachet Grand Cru (Maison Louis Jadot), a full-bodied, layered and enveloping wine that's satiny and sumptuous, with lively acids and fine depth at the core. While I'd give the nod to the stunning Demoiselles as Jadot's best white wine this year, this Montrachet—purchased from the Chassagne-Montrachet side, from the house's usual source—is undeniably promising." William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
$1,780
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From all accounts this is something special. Given the calibre of the rest of the wines in the line up I don't doubt it for a second! “The saturated purple-hued 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois is another brilliant wine from this estate. Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Syrah and Vaccarèse (as well as a few other varieties) brought up in 80% stainless steel and 20% old barrels, it offers an extraordinary bouquet of blackcurrants, chocolaty herbs, ground pepp
$162
$155ea in any 3+
$148ea in any 6+
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Wow! Initially a little spritz that swirled of quickly, the protective nature of dissolved CO2 goes some way to explaining why this wine looks younger than the “2020 Retour a Terre”.  Bottling with a little CO2 is a sign that they see this as a wine for the longer haul. It is obsolete to repeat many of Kelley’s remarks. It’s clear that the fruit is exceptional, the mid-palate weight, always a sign of quality Chardonnay, is impressive, along with the flow, shape and texture. Incred
$160
$153ea in any 3+
$146ea in any 6+
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