WineSkills Principles of Sparkling Winemaking

Three Day Course

Apply for 2024

Would you like to learn more about the sparkling wine process?

Topics include: 

Day one: Introduces the winemaking theory relating to the key winery operations: tirage, secondary fermentation, disgorging and dosage.

  • Tirage and secondary fermentation
  • Maturation and lees aging
  • Riddling and disgorging
  • Dosage

Day 2 (Practical): Focuses on the start of the secondary fermentation in greater detail, and will involve practical activity related to tirage, including the preparation of cultures and adjuvants. 

  • Yeast culture preparation
  • Use of adjuvants
  • The bottling process

Day 3 (Practical): Will complete the range of operations specific to sparkling wine with practicals and demonstrations associated with disgorging and dosage.

  • Preparing liquer d'expedition
  • Dosage trials
  • Riddling - use of gyropalletes and pupitres
  • Disgorging process

The course ends with a 15-minute multiple-choice exam

The theory day of this course can be completed separately as a standalone course. 

Course details

Dates & Location

8th April, 2024 - 10th April, 2024 

9.15 - 16.15

Plumpton College campus

 

Duration

Full 3 day course 

Costs

£495

 

Entry Requirements

This course is suitable for anyone who has an interest in the subject.

The session includes practical activity and requires students to bring:

  • Good sturdy footwear such as Wellington boots
  • Working clothes or overalls

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