Definition: Mirage

The muzzled bottle is shaken vigorously to mix the wine and expedition liqueur. This process is called piquetage or poignettage. The bottle is then inspected to ensure that it is clear and free of sediment, then placed back in pallet boxes and taken down to the cellar for a final storage period of two to six months before being labelled. During this resting period, the expedition liqueur will blend perfectly with the wine and the cork will soften, so that it can be easily removed from the bottle when the wine is ready to be consumed.