"Floaties" in Champagne

WINE TALK
1

This happened once before, and happened again today. I was choosing a bottle of Champagne to buy as a gift, looked at the bottle and noticed little floaty things, it kind of looked like crumbs. So, instead I purchased another Champagne. I’m sure those little guys don’t get in the way of the taste, if it were for myself, I would have bought the original bottle, but as a gift, went with something which would avoid the question, “What is that stuff floating around?”

My guess is that it’s undischarged yeast particles. If anyone else cares to chime in, please do.

Cheers, [berserker.gif]

2

Tartrate crystals?

3

There was a fibrous or cobweb quality to it.

Thanks!

4

Bump for brad b. :slight_smile:

5

Relax, it’s just a Baby Ruth bar. [wink.gif]

6

agreed–some of the lees left behind with the riddling and disgorgement processes . . . no harm, a little fiber and protein.
alan

7

Which bottling was it? We have had those in both Vilmart Creation and Pehu-Simonet Blanc de Blanc within the past year. Importer took the bottles back.

8

This can be caused be multiple things and can be harmless, but in younger bottles, more often than not, it is a sign of damage or something gone wrong. I would err on the side of caution and return/avoid any young bottles that show a lot more “stuff” in the bottle than normal. For the price Champagne sells for, it isn’t worth taking the risk IMO.

Older wines will often have some sediment and cloudiness in them, but in my experience the less you have, the better your chances of a good bottle (I’m sure Ray and others who drink the old stuff routinely can chime in and add their thoughts). Clear glass will show particles much more easily hence the Pehu-Simonet and Vilmart Creation comment by Roberto, but clear glass bottles also are a lot more perceptible to damage and in my experience light and heat can lead to a lot more “stuff” floating around in a bottle than should be there.

9

Mark Ricca thinks it’s Pain Grille! (Check out his glass.)
At BerserkerFest 2.5 at Jay’s, Jorge’s baby dropped a piece of pretzel in Leo’s giant bottle of Champagne. It came out in Mark’s glass. He immediately held it up to Todd and declared it “pain grille”. [dance-clap.gif]