Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine: Cork or Crown Closures During the Second Fermentation?

  • N. Jolly Post-harvest and Agro-processing TechnologiesARC Infruitec-NietvoorbijStellenboschSouth Africa
  • P. Minnaar
  • M. Booyse
  • P. Gerber

Abstract

Bottle-fermented sparkling wine producers are continuously striving to increase quality and produce
niche products. One production tool that could be used is a cork closure instead of a crown cap closure
during the second fermentation and maturation on yeast lees. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this
leads to stylistic differences in the wine. Six pairs of South African bottle-fermented sparkling wines
(Méthode Cap Classique), closed by either a cork or crown cap, were investigated. Analyses included
bottle pressure, infrared spectroscopy, phenolic acids, sensory attributes and CO2 kinetics. Generally,
there were differences between the cork-closed and crown-capped wines. Cork-closed wines tended to
have lower pressure compared to crown-capped wines, albeit still well within legal requirements. Other
differences were evident in the infrared spectral data and in the polyphenol profile of the analysed wines.
Levels of gallic, caftaric, caffeic and p-coumaric acids could be used collectively as marker compounds to
differentiate between cork-closed and crown-capped wines. The effect of the cork was also evident in the
sensory attributes and CO2 kinetics. Cork-closed wines were judged to have smaller bubbles and a longer
aftertaste. It was also shown that the cork-closed wines tended to lose CO2 from the glass slower after being
poured than their crown-capped counterparts. The data tentatively support the anecdotal evidence that
cork can be used during the second fermentation and maturation on the yeast lees to change the style of
bottle-fermented sparkling wine.

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Author Biographies

P. Minnaar

Post-Harvest and Agro-Processing Technologies, ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Agricultural Research Council

M. Booyse

Agricultural Research Council, Biometry

P. Gerber

Colmant Cap Classique & Champagne, Franschhoek

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Published
2021-08-17
Section
Articles

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