Glossary

Delestage

/deh-less-TAHJ/

Rack-and-return technique for gentle extraction.

Full Definition

Delestage (rack-and-return) is a red winemaking technique where fermenting juice is drained from the tank, the cap settles, then the juice is pumped back over. This provides gentle extraction, aerates the must, and can help prevent reduction. It extracts less harsh tannin than traditional punch-down or pump-over.

Related Terms

pigeage remontage extraction

See Also

maceration cap management

Deep Back to Glossary Delicate

Reference

More terms starting with D

Decanting

Pouring wine into another vessel for aeration or sediment removal.

Demi-Sec

Medium-sweet sparkling wine.

Density

In tasting, the concentration of a wine; in viticulture, vine spacing.

Depth

Layers of flavor that reveal themselves over time.

Disgorgement

Removing sediment from sparkling wine after secondary fermentation.

Diurnal Range

The difference between day and night temperatures.