Chaptalization
Chaptalization is the act of adding sugar to grape juice or must early in the fermentation to correct for natural deficiencies is called chaptalization. These happen in poor vintages when grape ripening has been slow or incomplete. Illegal in California, chaptalization is permitted elsewhere by U.S. law and by other nations of the world. Winemakers who are forced by adverse climate to chaptalize usually do not volunteer the fact as it carries with it a "substandard quality" stigma. Ask a French winemaker whether his winery uses chaptalization and the answer is invariably a loud "only the minimum."