Elevage

/ay-luh-VAHJ/

The period of wine maturation between fermentation and bottling.

Full Definition

Elevage (literally 'raising' or 'upbringing') encompasses all cellar work between fermentation and bottling: aging in barrel or tank, racking, fining, blending. Good elevage allows wine to develop complexity and stability. The winemaker's choices during elevage significantly shape the final wine.

Related Terms

aging barrel aging maturation

See Also

Elegant Back to Glossary En Primeur

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