{"id":1898,"date":"2025-06-17T09:15:35","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T08:15:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/liqueur-de-tirage-cose-e-a-cosa-serve\/"},"modified":"2025-07-14T09:53:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T08:53:29","slug":"liqueur-de-tirage-cose-e-a-cosa-serve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/k-news\/news\/liqueur-de-tirage-what-is-it-and-what-is-it-for\/","title":{"rendered":"Liqueur de tirage: what is it and what is it for?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The production of a <\/span><b>Metodo Classico sparkling wine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an art that requires precision and patience. Each step in the process is essential to obtain a high-quality product with unique characteristics. Among these stages, a crucial role is played by the <\/span><b>second fermentation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> triggered by the so-called \u201c<\/span><b>liqueur de tirage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d. Let&#8217;s find out more about what this is all about, delving into the characteristics of Kettmeir&#8217;s <\/span><b>Metodo Classico sparkling wines.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>What is liqueur de tirage?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liqueur de tirage, in Italian &#8220;<\/span><b><i>&#8216;sciroppo di tirage&#8217;<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;, is a mixture that is added to still base wine to induce the <\/span><b>second fermentation in the bottle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This process is what <\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gives sparkling wine its characteristic bubbles and aromatic complexity. But what does the<\/span><b> liqueur de tirage contain?<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Base wine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the base wine, obtained from the first fermentation, provides the structure and primary aromas to the sparkling wine.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sugars<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: sugars, usually sucrose, feed the yeasts during the second fermentation, producing carbon dioxide (the bubbles) and alcohol. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\nThe amount of added sugar determines the final pressure of the sparkling wine, with approximately 24 grams per litre required to achieve a pressure of 6 bars.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Yeasts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: selected yeasts, resistant to alcohol and pressure, are responsible for the fermentation of sugars and subsequent autolysis, which gives secondary aromas of bread crust, brioche etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>Liqueur de tirage: when is it used?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The liqueur de tirage is <\/span><b>added to the still base wine in spring<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>before bottling<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The bottle is then closed with an aluminium crown cap and stored in the cellar at a constant temperature of 13\u201315 \u00b0C for approximately 5\u20136 weeks, during which time the <\/span><b>second fermentation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">takes place.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>The role of liqueur de tirage in the Metodo Classico<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liqueur de tirage is fundamental to the production of Metodo Classico sparkling wines. The second fermentation in the bottle, triggered by its addition, gives the sparkling wine its <\/span><b>distinctive characteristics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fine and persistent perlage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the carbon dioxide produced by fermentation<br \/>\ndissolves in the wine, creating fine and persistent bubbles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Aromatic complexity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: during fermentation and maturation on the lees, the<br \/>\nyeasts release complex aromas of bread crust, yeast and dried fruits.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Structure and body<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: ageing on the lees gives the sparkling wine structure and<br \/>\nbody, making it suitable to accompany a wide range of dishes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>Liqueur de tirage and Kettmeir sparkling wines<\/h2>\n<p><b>Kettmeir<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> masterfully uses liqueur de tirage to create high-quality Metodo Classico sparkling wines such as Athesis Brut and Pas Dos\u00e9:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wines\/athesis-brut\/\"><b>Athesis Brut Alto Adige DOC<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: this sparkling wine, with a balanced sugar dosage, offers a perfect balance between freshness and aromatic complexity. The three grape varieties are vinified separately, with gentle pressing of the grapes in whole bunches and fermentation at a controlled temperature of 14\u201316 \u00b0C. Ageing takes place in stainless steel tanks on the lees of the first fermentation for several months without triggering malolactic fermentation, preserving the natural acidity of the grapes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The liqueur de tirage <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is then added to the cuv\u00e9e, and the mixture is bottled with a crown cork and <\/span><b>stored in the cellar at 11\u201312 \u00b0C<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is where the second fermentation takes place and the wine stays on the lees for about 24 months, before disgorging and subsequent marketing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The wine has a brilliant straw yellow colour, a very fine and persistent perlage, and fruity aromas with a balanced note of yeast. The palate is fresh and dry, with excellent persistence and a pleasant aftertaste of dried fruit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wines\/pas-dose\/\"><b>Pas Dos\u00e9 Alto Adige DOC<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: this sparkling wine, with no added sugar after disgorging, showcases the purity of the terroir and the aromatic complexity provided by the long ageing on the lees. The grapes come from vineyards located on medium-high hills, facing west and characterised by strong temperature fluctuations, specifically intended for sparkling wine production. After gentle pressing to obtain high quality must, there is a controlled fermentation in stainless steel at 14\u201316 \u00b0C, followed by maturation on the lees for several months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the addition of the <\/span><b>liqueur de tirage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the wine is bottled and stored horizontally in a modern wine cellar at a <\/span><b>constant temperature of 11\u201312 \u00b0C<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where the second fermentation takes place and the wine remains on the lees for at least 38 months. During disgorging, no liqueur d&#8217;exp\u00e9dition is added, but the wine is topped up with wine from other bottles to obtain a product without added sugar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The wine has a brilliant straw yellow colour and a very fine, intense and persistent perlage. The aroma is characterised by notes of yellow flowers (broom, calycanthus) and both fresh and ripe yellow-fleshed fruit (banana, mango), with slight hints of yeast. On the palate, freshness and liveliness are supported by a fine, enveloping carbonic quality, perfectly integrated into the energetic and rounded sensation given by the long ageing on the lees. The aromatic profile of flowers, ripe and crisp fruit and herbs enhances the typically Alpine character in the lingering finish.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Discover the Kettmeir Metodo Classico<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.kettmeir.com\/it\/eur\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online shop<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and be won over by the elegance and complexity of these sparkling wines.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The production of a Metodo Classico sparkling wine is an art that requires precision and patience. Each step in the process is essential to obtain a high-quality product with unique characteristics. Among these stages, a crucial role is played by the second fermentation triggered by the so-called \u201cliqueur de tirage\u201d. Let&#8217;s find out more about [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1221,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1898","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1898","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1898"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1898\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1913,"href":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1898\/revisions\/1913"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1221"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1898"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1898"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kettmeir.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1898"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}