What You Need to Know
Base wine is a type of still wine produced in the first stage of fermentation during the production of sparkling wines and brandies. After the primary fermentation, base wine is first blended into a cuvée, then made into sparkling wine by further fermentation, or distilled into brandy.
Steps
- 1.
Champagne base wine (France): Foundation for secondary fermentation in méthode champenoise
- 2.
Cognac eau-de-vie (France): Distillation base for premium brandy production
- 3.
Prosecco base (Italy): Starting material for Charmat method sparkling wine