CHAMPAGNE Flashcards
What is the ancestral method?
A single fermentation that undergoes a ‘winter’ pause
The region of Champagne takes its name from the latin term “campagna” meaning?
unforested land/ open country
Which crisis devasted the vineyards of champagne in 1890?
phylloxera
TRUE OR FALSE
Champagne is the most northerly of the French winemaking regions
True - it lies between 49-49.5 parallel north
What is the climate in Champagne?
Dual: there are strong continental and Atlantic (maritime) influences
A maritime climate affects spring and autumn with a significant threat of what?
frost
How do vignerons protect against frost in the spring?
sprinklers
Which three grapes have become the cornerstone of champagne production?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Which grape variety contributes the most acidity and alcohol to champagne?
Chardonnay
Which grape variety contributes the least amount of acidity and a moderate amount of alcohol to champagne?
Pinot Noir
Which grape variety contributes a moderate amount of acidity and the least alcohol to champagne?
Pinot Meunier
What are the 4 principle subregions of Champagne?
- The Montagne & Val de Reims
- Vallee de la Marne
- Cotes des Blancs and surroundings
- Cote de Bar
The Montagne & Val de Reims contains how many terroirs?
Four
- Massif de Saint Thierry: Pinot Meunier
- Vesle and Ardre Valleys (Val de Reims): Pinot Meunier
- Monts de Berru: Chardonnay
- Grande Montagne de Reims: Pinot Noir
The Vallee de la Marne contains how many terroirs?
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
The Cotes des Blancs & surroundings contains how many terroirs?
Five
- Cotes des Blancs: Chardonnay
- Val du Petit Morin: Pinot Meunier, Chardonay
- Cite de Sezanne: Chardonnay
- Vitryat: Chardonnay
- Montgeux: Chardonnay
The Cotes des Bar contains how many terroirs?
Two
- Bar sur Aubois: Pinot Noir
- Barsequanais: Pinot Noir
What are the two types of chalk soil in Champagne?
Belemnite and Micraster
Why is Belemnute chalk superior to Micraster?
Because of its optimal mid slope position (Micraster is found where the slope begins to flatten)
What is the famous soil type found in the Cotes de Bar?
Kimmeridgian Soil
TRUE OR FALSE
Grapes grown on chalk are typically quite high in acid producing lean wines with reserved aromatics
True (chalk is a type of porous limestone)
Which type of soil produces wines that are mineral rich that need more significant time ageing to express their true flavours and aromas?
Clay
Which type of soil produces wines with more overt fruit characteristics that tend to be more overt and easy drinking?
Sand
Which soil type, only found in the Cote de Bar, delivers a deeply aromatic, earthy expression of Pinot Noir
Limestone-rich Marl
How many AOCs are there in Champagne?
3
What are the three AOCs of Champagne?
- AOC Rose des Riceys - 100% rose
- AOC Coteaux Champenois - 100% still
- AOC Champagne - 100% sparkling
Rose de Riceys AOC is produced from which grape?
Pinot noir
How many Grand Cru villages are there in Champagne?
17
How many premier cru villages are there is Champagne?
42
TRUE OR FALSE
A producer with several grand cru vineyards can blend fruit from those vineyards and still label the wine grand cru
True
Champagne production relies on how many alcoholic fermentations?
2
Where does the second alcoholic fermentation take place: The winery or the bottle
Bottle
Why are grapes that are intended for sparkling wine intentionally picked early?
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.
What is Prise de Mousse?
“the seizing of the foam” and refers to the second fermentation in bottle
What term is French for the act of bottling?
Tirage
What is liqueur de tirage?
A mixture of yeast and sugar added before bottling
On average how long does the second fermentation take to complete?
30 days
Which by product of fermentation is responsible for producing the bubbles in Champagne?
Carbon Dioxide
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
TRUE
By law, champagne must spend a minimum of how many months of lees
12 - as opposed to 9 for cremant
A non vintage champagne must spend how many months in cellar before release?
15
A vintage champagne must spend how many months in cellar before release?
36
Who is credited with the invention of riddling?
Nicole Barbe Ponsardin a.k.a Veuve (widow) Cliquot
Riddling is known as what in French?
Remuage
What is Brut nature?
champagne that is topped up with no added sugar
what is liqueur de dosage?
Sugar and still reserve wine used to top up bottles after disgorgement
what are the 7 levels of sweetness for Champagne?
- Brut nature
- Extra Brut
- Brut
- Extra Sec
- Sec
- Demi Sec
- Doux
TRUE OR FALSE
Vintage champagne is produced every year
False - only in good vintages
A 10 year old bottle of champagne will have more or less effervescence than a 2 year old bottle of champagne? l
Less
