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Kōshū Sur Lie: Focusing on timing of racking
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A schematic diagram following the explanation for Lumière 2024. Do not add starting dates or stirring frequencies beyond what is stated. To the supporting reference ↓
FIELD NOTE 01
Standardize the conditions of the products you can verify.
The subject is 2024 dry white wine produced from Yamanashi Koshu, with 11% alcohol indicated by the producer. The practice of not racking off the lees until spring is central to understanding this wine. Indicate the vintage because the analysis and process may not be the same the following year. Do not infer the method from awards or price—return to the product information.
FIELD NOTE 02
Focus on the step where lees are retained
Sur lie refers to aging wine in contact with its lees after fermentation. This stage and what is in contact (lees, not skins) differ from grape skin maceration—which involves both different contact material and timing. The statement "no racking until spring" indicates a choice not to separate the wine from the lees immediately after fermentation. However, details such as frequency of stirring and the total number of months aged sur lie cannot be determined from this explanation alone.
FIELD NOTE 03
Do not increase the number of variables too much when making comparisons.
When comparing another Koshu, first align the origin of the grapes, vintage, and dryness/sweetness, then look at differences in lees contact and vessels. If both wines differ by variety, vintage, region, and use of barrels, it’s hard to attribute any taste difference solely to lees contact. In your study notes, keep the processes you learned from references and your impressions of texture or aroma separate, to avoid recording speculation as fact.
Cannot answer. While it can be confirmed that the wine is not racked until spring, the frequency of lees stirring is not indicated.
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Can you write that bâtonnage was performed every week based only on this document?
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Cannot answer. While it can be confirmed that the wine is not racked until spring, the frequency of lees stirring is not indicated.
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Sources and reference materials
These are the reference materials for the main text. For details of production regulations, consult the current documents. For individual wine specifications, refer to materials for the relevant vintage.
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