What is a characteristic of wines made using the méthode traditionnelle?

Wines made using the méthode traditionnelle, which is often associated with sparkling wine production, are characterized by undergoing a second fermentation in the bottle. This process begins with a primary fermentation to create a base wine, followed by the addition of a liqueur de tirage, which is a mixture of sugar and yeast, to initiate a second fermentation inside the bottle. During this second fermentation, carbon dioxide is produced, leading to the characteristic bubbles found in sparkling wines.

The importance of this secondary fermentation is that it contributes not only to the effervescence but also to the complexity and depth of flavor in the wine, as it allows for less contact with the lees (yeast sediment), which imparts additional flavor characteristics. This process is fundamental to the production of quality sparkling wines, such as Champagne and other traditional method sparkling wines around the world.

Other options do not accurately reflect the practices associated with método traditionnelle. For instance, these wines can be made from various grape varieties and are not limited to a single type, nor are they typically produced in bulk; the focus is often on quality and artisan methods. Additionally, wines produced using this method are predominantly sparkling, contrasting with still wines.