In the context of sparkling wine, dosage refers to:

• A. The amount of sugar added after disgorgement
• B. The time spent fermenting in the bottle
• C. The pressure inside the bottle
• D. The color of the grape used

Answer: (A)

Dosage is the sugar solution added after disgorgement to top up the bottle and set the final sweetness of the sparkling wine. After the lees are removed, a small amount of liqueur d’expédition—a blend of wine and sugar—is added before the bottle is sealed. That sugar boosts the level of sweetness in the finished wine and helps define its style (Brut, Extra Brut, Sec, Demi-Sec, etc.). The purpose isn’t to restart fermentation, since the yeast has been removed and the bottle is sealed; it’s a controlled adjustment of sweetness that also helps balance acidity and flavor. It’s not about how long fermentation lasts in the bottle, the pressure inside the bottle, or the color of the grape—those elements relate to other aspects of sparkling wine production.