CHAMPAGNE Flashcards
Which country was the first to intentionally make sparkling wine?
England
What is the annual production of sparkling wine in Champagne?
32 million cases/18% of global production
What are the five main zones of Champagne?
Montagne de Reims aka “City of Kimgs” (Pinot Noir), Valle de la Marne (Petit Meunier), Cote des Blancs, Cote de Sezanne (Chardonnay), Cote des Bar (Pinot Noir)
What are the primary soil types of Champagne?
Chalk and Marl (“marne” in French)
What are the seven permitted grape varieties in Champagne?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and then (to a lesser extent) Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier and Arbane
What is the traditional measure of grapes allowed in a press in Champagne known as?
Marc (short for marchier AKA “trample”) or ~4,000kg
What is max quantity of juice allowed from each marc
25.5 hectoliters (~675 gallons)
What categories are the press juice divided into?
Cuvee/20.5 hl, Taille/5 hl (used for Champagne) and Rebeche (used for vin de liquer called Ratafia de Champagne)
What are the champagne base wines known as?
vins clairs
What are the minimum requirements for bottle aging during first fermentation phase and how much of that on the lees?
Nonvintage: 15 months (12 on lees). Vintage (millesime): 36 months (12 on lees)
What is the dosage called that is added to Champagne after disgorgement and prior to second fermentation?
Liquer d’Expedition
How are wines classified in Champagne?
By village (not the wine itself) based on a system known as echelle des crus; there are 17 grand crus villages and 42 premiere cru villages
What are grower champagnes known as and how much of the Champagne market do they have?
Recoltant-Manipulant / 25%
What is the market share split between the houses, RMs and cooperatives?
67%, 25%, 8%, respectively
What are the still wine AOCs within the Champagne AOC?
Rose des Riceys and Coteaux Champenois (white, red and rose)
