Méthode Traditionelle
The Craftsmanship Of Bubbles

Méthode Traditionnelle (also known as Méthode Champenoise or Traditional Method) is the time-honored process used to create the world's finest sparkling wines. This labor-intensive technique, which originated in France's Champagne region, creates wines with fine, persistent bubbles and complex flavors that cannot be achieved through other methods.

The Process:
The magic begins with a base wine that undergoes a second fermentation directly in the bottle. Winemakers add a mixture of sugar and yeast (liqueur de tirage) to the still base wine before sealing it with a crown cap. As the yeast consumes the sugar, it produces alcohol and carbon dioxide, which remains trapped in the bottle, creating those signature bubbles. This secondary fermentation creates pressure between 70-90 psi—about three times the pressure in your car tires. That is ... insane if you think about it.

The Aging Journey:
After secondary fermentation, the wine ages "on the lees" (dead yeast cells) for months or even years, developing complex brioche, toast, and nutty flavors. The bottles then undergo "riddling" (remuage), where they're gradually tilted and turned to collect sediment in the neck. During "disgorgement" (dégorgement), this sediment is frozen and removed, and the bottle is topped off with "dosage" (a mixture of wine and sugar) that determines the final sweetness level.

Global Expressions:
While only sparkling wine from the Champagne region can legally be called Champagne, the traditional method is used worldwide under various names: Metodo Classico in Italy (for Franciacorta and Trento), Cava in Spain, Crémant in non-Champagne regions of France, and Cap Classique in South Africa. The primary grapes used are typically Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, though regional variations exist.

To Sum It All Up...
The traditional method represents winemaking at its most meticulous and patient. While there are faster, less expensive ways to create bubbles (like the tank method used for Prosecco), none match the complexity and finesse of wines made this way. Each tiny bubble is the result of centuries of craftsmanship.