CHAMPAGNE Flashcards

1
Q

What is the ancestral method?

A

A single fermentation that undergoes a ‘winter’ pause

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2
Q

The region of Champagne takes its name from the latin term “campagna” meaning?

A

unforested land/ open country

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3
Q

Which crisis devasted the vineyards of champagne in 1890?

A

phylloxera

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4
Q

TRUE OR FALSE

Champagne is the most northerly of the French winemaking regions

A

True - it lies between 49-49.5 parallel north

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5
Q

What is the climate in Champagne?

A

Dual: there are strong continental and Atlantic (maritime) influences

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6
Q

A maritime climate affects spring and autumn with a significant threat of what?

A

frost

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7
Q

How do vignerons protect against frost in the spring?

A

sprinklers

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8
Q

Which three grapes have become the cornerstone of champagne production?

A

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier

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9
Q

Which grape variety contributes the most acidity and alcohol to champagne?

A

Chardonnay

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10
Q

Which grape variety contributes the least amount of acidity and a moderate amount of alcohol to champagne?

A

Pinot Noir

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11
Q

Which grape variety contributes a moderate amount of acidity and the least alcohol to champagne?

A

Pinot Meunier

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12
Q

What are the 4 principle subregions of Champagne?

A
  1. The Montagne & Val de Reims
  2. Vallee de la Marne
  3. Cotes des Blancs and surroundings
  4. Cote de Bar
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13
Q

The Montagne & Val de Reims contains how many terroirs?

A

Four

  1. Massif de Saint Thierry: Pinot Meunier
  2. Vesle and Ardre Valleys (Val de Reims): Pinot Meunier
  3. Monts de Berru: Chardonnay
  4. Grande Montagne de Reims: Pinot Noir
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14
Q

The Vallee de la Marne contains how many terroirs?

A

Six
1. Grand Vallee de la Marne: Pinot Noir
2. Coteaux Sud d’Epernay: Chardonnay/Pinot Meunier
3. Vallee de la Marne Rive Gauche: Pinot Meunier
4 Vallee de la Marne Rive Droite: Pinot Meunier
5. Conde: Pinot Meunier
6. Vallee de la Marne Ouest: Pinot Meunier

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15
Q

The Cotes des Blancs & surroundings contains how many terroirs?

A

Five

  1. Cotes des Blancs: Chardonnay
  2. Val du Petit Morin: Pinot Meunier, Chardonay
  3. Cite de Sezanne: Chardonnay
  4. Vitryat: Chardonnay
  5. Montgeux: Chardonnay
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16
Q

The Cotes des Bar contains how many terroirs?

A

Two

  1. Bar sur Aubois: Pinot Noir
  2. Barsequanais: Pinot Noir
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17
Q

What are the two types of chalk soil in Champagne?

A

Belemnite and Micraster

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18
Q

Why is Belemnute chalk superior to Micraster?

A

Because of its optimal mid slope position (Micraster is found where the slope begins to flatten)

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19
Q

What is the famous soil type found in the Cotes de Bar?

A

Kimmeridgian Soil

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20
Q

TRUE OR FALSE

Grapes grown on chalk are typically quite high in acid producing lean wines with reserved aromatics

A

True (chalk is a type of porous limestone)

21
Q

Which type of soil produces wines that are mineral rich that need more significant time ageing to express their true flavours and aromas?

A

Clay

22
Q

Which type of soil produces wines with more overt fruit characteristics that tend to be more overt and easy drinking?

A

Sand

23
Q

Which soil type, only found in the Cote de Bar, delivers a deeply aromatic, earthy expression of Pinot Noir

A

Limestone-rich Marl

24
Q

How many AOCs are there in Champagne?

A

3

25
Q

What are the three AOCs of Champagne?

A
  1. AOC Rose des Riceys - 100% rose
  2. AOC Coteaux Champenois - 100% still
  3. AOC Champagne - 100% sparkling
26
Q

Rose de Riceys AOC is produced from which grape?

A

Pinot noir

27
Q

How many Grand Cru villages are there in Champagne?

A

17

28
Q

How many premier cru villages are there is Champagne?

A

42

29
Q

TRUE OR FALSE

A producer with several grand cru vineyards can blend fruit from those vineyards and still label the wine grand cru

A

True

30
Q

Champagne production relies on how many alcoholic fermentations?

A

2

31
Q

Where does the second alcoholic fermentation take place: The winery or the bottle

A

Bottle

32
Q

Why are grapes that are intended for sparkling wine intentionally picked early?

A

Because they contain less sugar. If too much sugar is converted to alcohol the alcohol will kill the yeast and a second fermentation will not be able to take place.

33
Q

What is Prise de Mousse?

A

“the seizing of the foam” and refers to the second fermentation in bottle

34
Q

What term is French for the act of bottling?

A

Tirage

35
Q

What is liqueur de tirage?

A

A mixture of yeast and sugar added before bottling

36
Q

On average how long does the second fermentation take to complete?

A

30 days

37
Q

Which by product of fermentation is responsible for producing the bubbles in Champagne?

A

Carbon Dioxide

38
Q

TRUE OR FALSE
The longer the wine spends ageing, the more completely the carbon dioxide dissolves into the wine forming a smaller/more delicate bubble

A

TRUE

39
Q

By law, champagne must spend a minimum of how many months of lees

A

12 - as opposed to 9 for cremant

40
Q

A non vintage champagne must spend how many months in cellar before release?

A

15

41
Q

A vintage champagne must spend how many months in cellar before release?

A

36

42
Q

Who is credited with the invention of riddling?

A

Nicole Barbe Ponsardin a.k.a Veuve (widow) Cliquot

43
Q

Riddling is known as what in French?

A

Remuage

44
Q

What is Brut nature?

A

champagne that is topped up with no added sugar

45
Q

what is liqueur de dosage?

A

Sugar and still reserve wine used to top up bottles after disgorgement

46
Q

what are the 7 levels of sweetness for Champagne?

A
  1. Brut nature
  2. Extra Brut
  3. Brut
  4. Extra Sec
  5. Sec
  6. Demi Sec
  7. Doux
47
Q

TRUE OR FALSE

Vintage champagne is produced every year

A

False - only in good vintages

48
Q

A 10 year old bottle of champagne will have more or less effervescence than a 2 year old bottle of champagne? l

A

Less