WTN: Knapp Brut (for New Year's)

N/V Knapp Brut, New York State Sparkling Wine ($13.95). Alcohol level: 12%.

It is “fermented in the bottle." On the established scaled for sparkling wine this one would be classified "Extra Dry." It was perfect for us with the ever so slightly sweet edge. We enjoyed it with Christmas Cookies as we watched the New Year’s festivities on TV.

...It is “fermented in the bottle." ...

That indicates a bottle-transfer method of disgorgement. "fermented in this bottle" indicates the traditional champagne method of disgorgement.

That indicates a bottle-transfer method of disgorgement. "fermented in this bottle" indicates the traditional champagne method of disgorgement.

To be exact the label says: "Bottle Fermenatation." I think you are right though, I think they used Charmat method.

...To be exact the label says: "Bottle Fermenatation." I think you are right though, I think they used Charmat method.

Actually, Charmat is a bulk process, where the secondary fermentation takes place in a large, pressurized tank. The wine is then bottled under pressure. This is used for very inexpensive bubblies. I know of some home wine makers that actually use this method with beer kegs. In the bottle transfer method, the wine is fermented in a bottle, but instead of disgorging as in the traditional method (freezing the bottle necks, etc.) the bottles move along a conveyor and through a machine that, while maintaining pressure, opens the bottle, and transfers it through a filter to another bottle, while adding the dosage and corking it. The bottle that was emptied is rinsed and re-enters the bottling line later to get re-filled. This probably what was used for the Knapp.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparkling_wine_production