The Judgement of Paris, a famous wine tasting held in Paris in 1976, essentially proved that top-quality California wines were as good as top-quality French wines. A popular movie based on this event, “Bottle Shock,” revealed the angst that Montelena’s winemaker experienced when his Chardonnay clouded up post-bottling just before the contest.
Recently, Brett Keller, winemaker for Bodega del Sur winery in Murphys, Calaveras County, was asked by a crew member during bottling, “What is Bottle Shock?” Here is his answer, noted in the winery’s excellent customer newsletter:
“Well, there is a lot more to it than a clever movie showing California’s dominance over French wine.
“Bottle Shock is the term we use to describe the tumultuous journey of wine from the barrel to the bottle. After staying stationary for up to 30 months in oak barrels the wine is suddenly taken from its slumber, moved to a tank, filtered, and pumped gently to the bottling line where it falls with gravity into the bottle. It’s kind of like being rudely awaken from a good sound sleep and being thrown into a lake.
“During the process of bottling, we are also adding sulfites as a preservative to prevent spoilage and amend sulfur dioxides that naturally occur in wine. As we bottle the wines, we treat them as gently as possible with slow movement of the wine, minimal use of sulfites, and almost complete lack of contact with oxygen, which can oxidize the wine too quickly. Despite our best efforts, all the components of the wines that came together over the last couple of years tend to be a bit shaken, and they temporarily become a bit disjointed … When the wines make it to the bottle, we use inert gas and a vacuum sealer to cork the bottle to protect it. Once the bottle is corked, it is almost an impermeable vessel, other than the slow movement of tiny amounts of oxygen that passes through the cork.
“Bottle Shock will generally last for a period of three to six weeks, after which time the wine tends to recompose itself and once again prepares for its long cellar sleep, until you, our valued customers, have a chance to taste our efforts. We release our wines after the period of bottle shock has run its course, during which time we are frequently checking its progress towards readiness.”
Bodega del Sur produces wines from grapes that are planted and grown in the Sierra Foothills. Their wines include Albarino, Tempranillo, Marsanne, Torrontes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Prices range from $18 to $30 per bottle. My personal favorite is Carmesi, a classic Bordeaux blend, and part of the proceeds are donated to a local charity. For more information, visit bodegadelsur.com.
Search past columns at winebiznews.blogspot.com, or contact Barbara at barbarakeck.winenewswriter@gmail.com.
