En masse is a French expression that is commonly used in English as well. It is an adverb that means “in a group,” “as a whole,” or “all together.” When something is done en masse, it is done collectively or in a large group, rather than individually or in small numbers.
The term en masse can be used in various contexts to describe actions, events, or situations where a large number of people or things are involved. It signifies a sense of unity and collective action. For example, a protest march with thousands of participants can be described as a demonstration en masse. Similarly, if a company decides to lay off a significant number of employees at once, it can be said that the layoffs were done en masse.
In the world of wine and brewing, the concept of en masse can also be applied. For instance, when grapes are harvested and crushed together without sorting or selecting individual bunches, it is referred to as pressing en masse. This method is often used for producing certain types of wines where the focus is on capturing the character of the entire grape crop rather than specific vineyard plots or grape varieties.
In brewing, en masse can be used to describe the process of adding ingredients or making adjustments on a larger scale. For instance, adding hops en masse means adding a significant quantity of hops all at once, resulting in a more pronounced hop flavor in the beer. Similarly, adjusting the fermentation temperature en masse means making uniform temperature changes across multiple fermentation vessels to achieve consistent results.
Personally, I have experienced the concept of en masse in various aspects of my work as a sommelier and brewer. For example, during large wine tastings or beer festivals, it is common to see a multitude of people gathered together, all eager to explore and enjoy the offerings en masse. The energy and enthusiasm of such events are truly captivating, as everyone comes together to celebrate their shared passion for wine or beer.
To summarize, en masse is a French expression used in English to describe actions or situations that involve a large group or collection of people or things. It signifies unity, collective action, and the idea of doing something as a whole. Whether in protests, layoffs, winemaking, or brewing, the concept of en masse is applicable in various contexts. It emphasizes the power and impact of collective efforts and the sense of togetherness that can be felt when many individuals come together for a common purpose.