Adventures in Dosage: the cherry on the sparkling cake

Did you know that sugar and brandy can be added to sparkling wine? Were you aware that champagne was originally a sweet fizz? And that it regularly had things like port, cognac, elderberry, kirsch and raspberry brandy added to it?

Now there’s a plucky English wine producer adding all sorts of fun things to his fizz – from Sauternes to Sherry, Madeira and Tokaji – to see what’s possible. His aim? To potentially help create, ‘a new category in wine’.

Welcome to the world of dosage. That small addition that’s commonly popped into to the world’s very finest sparkling wines – but which people don’t talk about very much. 

Think of it as a ‘good’ wine additive. Yet producers don’t tend to be particularly adventurous in terms of trying new things to add in their dosage. 

Until now. 

Our story starts with us trying these bold, experimental new English sparkling wines before launching into fascinating conversations with their maker, English Master of Wine Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, as well as sparkling guru Ed Carr of Accolade and Champagne Louis Roederer chef de cave Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon.

Along the way we explain what dosage actually is, why it’s used and delve excitedly into its history and future. We look into why people describe dosage as, ‘seasoning’ for fine fizz, and what role oaked wine, brandy and various types of sugar play in its make-up. 

Some wine pros use the term dosage as shorthand for the level of residual sugar in a sparkling wine. But, as we discuss, that’s an over-simplification that misses the bigger picture and purpose of dosage.

We consider the trend for zero-dosage wines and explain why we’re not fans of this category – despite Susie having written her Master of Wine dissertation on the topic.

‘When it's done well, dosage can help a wine  taste sublime,' says Susie. 'The art of dosage needs more respect and awareness...and more winemakers need to do it properly.’

We hope you enjoy the programme! Do let us know your thoughts on Instagram or Twitter.

As ever, all wine details, links and more are on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S3 E20: Adventures in Dosage.

Wines featured in the episode:

• Hart of Gold English sparkling wine Brut, 12%
• Louis Roederer et Philippe Starck Brut Nature Champagne 2012, 12%
• House of Arras Cuvée 1601 Brut Elite, 13%
• Bollinger RD 1976 Champagne Extra Brut, 12%