RELATIONSHIPS
Cricova: Traditional method and underground aging: a comparative perspective
Read geography, grape resources, and production processes separately.
Raw material
Make the base wine.
In bottle
Secondary fermentation, followed by cuvée aging.
Finishing
Lees removed, completed to the style of each product.
This is a schematic diagram summarizing the main text. It does not represent production areas or quality rankings. Sources and reference materials
FIELD NOTE 01
Bubbles created by bottle fermentation
Cricova’s Cuvée Prestige is made by traditional method with a second fermentation in bottle. The yeast ferments the added sugar in the base wine, producing carbon dioxide inside the bottle—the mechanism behind traditional sparkling wines.
The Moldovan wine office ONVV explains that after secondary fermentation, this product undergoes at least 3 years of cuvée ageing. First comes fermentation to create the bubbles, then the aging period continues.
Basis for this section:ONVV / Wine of Moldova: Cricova and Cuvée Prestige ↗ ／ DWI | Winzersekt ↗
FIELD NOTE 02
The underground storage environment and contact with the lees
Cricova’s underground cellars maintain a stable temperature year-round. This environment is used for storing and maturing wine.
In the traditional method of second fermentation in the bottle, the yeast remaining after fermentation becomes lees, and the wine matures in contact with these lees. Afterward, the lees are collected at the neck and removed. Because conditions differ before disgorgement and during bottle storage after shipping, be sure to confirm which stage the maturation period refers to when comparing number of years.
Basis for this section:Cricova｜Underground cellars ↗ ／ DWI | Winzersekt ↗
FIELD NOTE 03
Product maturation period and national regulations.
'At least 3 years' is an aging condition publicly disclosed for Cuvée Prestige. From the description of this single product, you cannot judge that all sparkling wines from Moldova share the same minimum period.
When comparing with another product, confirm method of production, grape variety, maturation period, and sweetness/dryness separately. Lengthy maturation and sweetness are also separate information.
Basis for this section:ONVV / Wine of Moldova: Cricova and Cuvée Prestige ↗ ／ DWI | Winzersekt ↗
Incorrect. The aging conditions for individual products and the country’s general regulations are handled separately.
PAUSE & REFLECT
Check your understanding.
Can the explanation that Cuvée Prestige requires a minimum of 3 years apply as the legal minimum period for sparkling wines nationwide?
Read the explanation ＋
Incorrect. The aging conditions for individual products and the country’s general regulations are handled separately.
Write in your own words
Write what you have learned, your reasoning, and what you still need to confirm.
Maximum 5,000 characters. This is stored within this browser. Press "Save" to record your note. Saving a blank will delete this note.
View saved notes →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.
About the editorial policy →