How Sparkling Wines Are Made - In Good Taste

Sparkling wine makes any occasion feel like a celebration. When you see those effervescent bubbles racing to the top of your glass, they lift your mood right along with them. But did you ever wonder how those delightful little bursts get there in the first place? Well, wonder no more. Today we're popping the top on sparkling wine's busy little secret. It may seem obvious, but sparkling wine starts out as, well, wine. Good old-fashioned, regular wine. The key to a quality baseline is that it's produced with the same method used to make any white wine, by removing the grape skins before the first fermentation. The fact that we mentioned first fermentation gives away the next step, cleverly referred to as second fermentation. This is where the bubbly fun begins. Winemakers add yeast to the fermented wine and seal it. As this yeast ferments, carbon dioxide is trapped in the wine. Next, the wine is aged in bottles. Then, the residual yeast is removed. With the carbon dioxide trapped and the yeast removed, it's time for sugar dosage. Just before final bottling, winemakers will add a little extra sugar to the bottle to make sure it reaches the perfect level of sweetness. With the second fermenting and sugar dosage complete, the bottle is resealed and ready to ship. The next time that bottle is opened, the sparkling wine's brilliance will bubble right up to the top of your glass. Cheers!