After disgorgement, which purpose does the dosage serve?

• A. It increases the bottle pressure
• B. It reduces sugar content
• C. It clarifies the wine
• D. It determines the sweetness level of the final Champagne.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that dosage is used to set the final sweetness and balance of the Champagne after it has been disgorged. This small addition, the liqueur d’expédition, is a blend of wine and sugar that determines how sweet the wine will be when it’s bottled and corked for final sale. By adjusting the sugar level in this dosage, producers craft styles ranging from very dry to sweeter expressions, and it also helps balance acidity and mouthfeel so the wine feels harmonious on the palate. The bottle’s pressure comes from the earlier secondary fermentation, not from the dosage itself, and clarification is something achieved earlier in the process, not by the dosage. So the dosage’s purpose is to define the final sweetness level of the Champagne.