Remuage

French · riddling

Remuage (riddling) is defined by the OIV as the operations that gather the second-fermentation deposit onto the bottle closure.1,2

By hand, bottles sit in a pupitre and are turned 1/8 or 1/4 at a time, about 25 turns on average, tilting gradually until they stand sur pointe.3 The Comité Champagne says this takes 4-6 weeks; the Union des Maisons de Champagne says at least six weeks, sometimes 2-3 months.3,2

Machines such as the gyropalette cut this to about a week, running day and night.3,2 The person who riddles by hand is a remueur. See riddling.

See also

RiddlingMethodsPupitreGlossaryGyropaletteGlossaryRemueurGlossaryDégorgementGlossary

Sources

  1. OIV International Code of Oenological Practices, II.4.2 Second fermentation in bottle (II.4.2.1-II.4.2.6)
  2. Union des Maisons de Champagne. Pointage, remuage (riddling) and dépointage
  3. Comité Champagne (champagne.fr). Riddling

Facts checked on 2026-10-19