Champagne Flashcards
Three leading grapes of Champagne
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Pinot Meunier
Four minor grapes of Champagne
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Petit Meslier
Arbane
Two leading soil types of the Champagne Region
Chalk
Limestone (Limestone Marl)
Leading soil type of the Cote des Bar
Kimmeridgian marl
Five main zones of the Champagne region
Montagne de Reims Vallee de la Marne Cote des Blancs Cote de Sezanne Cote des Bar
Leading grape of the Cote des Blancs and Cote de Sezanne
Chardonnay
Leading grape of the Cote des Bar
Pinot Noir
Leading grape of the Vallee de la Marne
Meunier
Leading grape of the Montagne de Reims
Pinot Noir (although a good deal of Chardonnay and Meunier is planted here as well)
Three pressings of juice (terms used in Champagne)
First: Cuvee
Next: Taille
Last: Rebeche
Typical use(s) for the juice from the first pressing (Cuvee)
Premium Champagne
Typical use(s) for the juice from the second pressing (the Taille)
Primarily used for sweeter wines, such as demi-sec or extra dry Champagne
Typical uses for the juice from the third pressing (Rebeche)
Still (non sparkling) wines
Ratafia de Champagne PGI
Spirits
Vinegar
Minimum bottle aging for Champagne AOC
15 months total including 12 mos on the lees
Min bottle aging for Vintage Champagne
36 mos total with 12 mos on the lees