noun
- plural of chaptalization; the process of adding sugar to grape juice or wine before or during fermentation to increase alcohol content.
Usage: winemaking and viticulture term; named after Jean-Antoine Chaptal, an 18th-century French chemist
Examples
- The winemaker performed several chaptalizations during the fermentation process to achieve the desired alcohol level.
- In cool-climate regions, chaptalizations are often necessary to compensate for low natural sugar in the grapes.
- French wine regulations strictly limit the amount and timing of chaptalizations allowed.
- The chaptalizations added to this vintage helped it reach 14% alcohol by volume.
- Modern chaptalizations use precise measurements to avoid over-sweetening the final product.