Carbonic Maceration Explained Simply

Ep 164

What if one of the biggest wine buzzwords is actually much simpler than it sounds?

If you've ever heard the term carbonic maceration and thought, "What in the world does that mean?" trust me, you're not alone. Honestly, I put off covering this topic for a while because I felt the same way. But once I dove into the research, I realized it's actually much simpler than it sounds. 

In this episode, you'll learn exactly what carbonic maceration is, how it differs from traditional fermentation, why it became synonymous with Beaujolais, and why so many modern natural winemakers continue to embrace the technique.  You'll also discover the differences between carbonic maceration, semi carbonic maceration, and whole cluster fermentation without getting lost in complicated wine science.

So, if you've ever seen "carbonic" on a wine label and wondered what it actually means, this episode will give you the confidence to understand the technique, recognize the flavors it creates, and know exactly what to expect before you open the bottle.

Carbonic Wine Recommendations:

Beaujolais:

• The “Gang of Four” - Jean Foillard Morgon, Marcel Lapiere Morgon, Guy Breton Morgon, Jean-Paul Thevenet Morgon
• Bernard Diochon Moulin-à-Vent “Vieilles Vignes”
• Nicole Chanrion Côte-de-Brouilly
• Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau (look for it around Thanksgiving time)

Washington:

• Latta Wines 2023 Lucius Wines Carbonic Syrah
• COR Cellars Carbonic Primitivo
• Devium Wines Dwelley Dolcetto
• Sage Rat Carbonic Nebbiolo

California:

• Terah Wine Co. Carbonic Sangiovese
• Las Jaras Glou Glou

Other:

• Gran Moraine Flavorscape Gamay Noir (Oregon)
• Niepoort - Nat'Cool Drink Me Tinto (Portuguese blend)
• Gevorkian Ariats Kangoun Carbonic Karasi

Wines of Armenia: https://winesofarmenia.com/

Episode Highlights:

• What carbonic maceration actually means
• Why carbonic wines are not carbonated
• How carbonic differs from traditional fermentation
• Carbonic vs semi carbonic maceration
• Whole cluster fermentation explained
• Why carbonic wines taste so fruity 
• Why Beaujolais became famous for carbonic wines
• The history behind the technique
• Common aromas created through carbonic maceration
• Recommended wines to try from around the world

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