Dosage
Dosage refers to the small addition of wine and sugar solution, known as liqueur d’expédition, that is made to a bottle of sparkling wine immediately after disgorgement and before final corking.[1] Its primary function is to adjust sweetness levels, balance acidity, and help define stylistic categories of wines such as Champagne.
Historical background
The practice of dosage developed in 19th-century Champagne, a time when export markets such as Russia and England had differing preferences for wine sweetness.[2] Producers began tailoring their wines with varying amounts of sugar to suit these markets, and the convention gradually became institutionalised. Over time, dosage evolved from being a market-driven necessity to a stylistic tool reflecting both tradition and brand identity.[3]
Production and technique
The liqueur d’expédition typically consists of base wine mixed with a measured quantity of sucrose, though other sweeteners are occasionally used.[4] It is added after disgorgement to replace the small volume lost when sediment is expelled. The exact concentration varies depending on the intended style, and the operation requires precision to maintain consistency across bottles and vintages.[5]
Stylistic categories
Dosage levels define the legally recognised categories of sparkling wine sweetness. Brut nature (also called pas dosé) contains 0–3 g/l sugar, extra brut up to 6 g/l, and brut less than 12 g/l.[6] Above this, extra dry, sec, demi-sec and doux indicate progressively sweeter wines. These categories are codified in European Union regulations and widely applied in sparkling wine production globally.[7]
Regional practices
While Champagne set the historical benchmark, dosage is employed internationally in the production of Cava, Franciacorta, German Sekt, and New World sparkling wines.[8] Regional differences reflect local consumer preferences and cultural heritage: for example, higher dosages were once favoured in Eastern Europe, whereas contemporary global markets increasingly demand dry or very dry styles.[9]
Scientific and sensory aspects
From a sensory standpoint, dosage influences perception of acidity, enhances aromas, and can affect ageing potential.[10] The balance between sugar, acid, and phenolic structure determines the wine’s harmony. Modern producers debate the merits of low or zero dosage, which can highlight terroir expression but may also result in more austere profiles.[11]
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Phillip Stevenson, Christie’s World Encyclopedia of Champagne and Sparkling Wine, Absolute Press, 2013.
- ↑ MacNeil, The Wine Bible, Workman, 2022.
- ↑ Comité Champagne, “Dosage – liqueur d’expédition”, www.champagne.fr.
- ↑ Jackson, Wine Science: Principles and Applications, Academic Press, 2020.
- ↑ Comité Champagne, “Dosage – liqueur d’expédition”, www.champagne.fr.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, Mitchell Beazley, 2019.
- ↑ Stevenson, Christie’s World Encyclopedia of Champagne and Sparkling Wine, Absolute Press, 2013.
- ↑ Clarke & Rand, Champagne and Sparkling Wine Guide, DK, 2001.
- ↑ Liger-Belair, Uncorked: The Science of Champagne, Princeton University Press, 2004.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.