Advanced Principles of Winemaking – Bottling and Tirage Ops

Course overview

These are designed for experienced professionals, providing in-depth
expertise in specialised areas of the industry.

Tirage is a unique winemaking process for traditional method sparkling wine.
It is crucial in determining the flavour, aroma, effervescence and overall
quality of sparkling wines, as it significantly influences the development of
the wine’s unique characteristics. Often challenges are experienced in preparing
the yeast for this vital process or during the process of tirage.

This one-day theory course will cover managing each step in the tirage
process and what to do if challenges are encountered during the
process.

Modules

Topics of study include:

• Introduction to Tirage in Sparkling Wine Production
• Challenges in Tirage
• Mother Culture Preparation
• Viability Counting
• DCO2 Measuring in Base Wines
• Relevance of DCO2 in Base Wines
• Base Wine Preparation
• Pre-Bottling Analysis for Sparkling Wine
• Overcoming Challenges in Tirage

How will I be assessed?

The course ends with a 30-minute multiple-choice exam.

What is it like to be a student on this course?

PPE Requirements

The programme includes practical activity in the winery/lab, so requires students to bring:

• Good sturdy footwear such as Wellington boots
• Working clothes or overall
• Lab coats will be provided

Entry requirements

This is an advanced course which builds on the Principles of Vinegrowing course designed for vineyard managers and operatives. There will be an assumed level of knowledge and prior experience of at least one season working in a commercial vineyard. Wine enthusiasts who wish to further their knowledge should have completed the Principles of Vinegrowing or an equivalent course before joining this course.