Champagne Flashcards
How many standard bottles of wine are contained in a Nebuchadnezzar?
20
What was the first Champagne house?
Ruinart (1729)
What is a “gyropalette”?
A metal mechanized rack used for riddling
What is “sur lie” aging?
The aging of wine on dead yeast cells.
What is Champagne’s most widely planted grape?
Pinot Noir (38%)
How many standard bottles of wine are contained in a Balthazar?
16
How many standard bottles of wine are contained in a Magnum?
2
What are the four principal sub-regions of Champagne?
Montagne and Val de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, and Côte des Bar
How many standard bottles of wine are contained in a Methuselah?
8
What is disgorgement “à la volée”?
The traditional disgorgement of Champagne by hand
What is a “Tête de Cuvée”?
A Champagne house’s prestige bottling.
What is the primary grape of the Montagne de Reims?
Pinot Noir
What was Louise Pommery’s contribution to Champage?
She initiated the trend for dry styles of Champagne
What is France’s northernmost wine region?
Champagne
What is a “chaufrette”?
A smudge-pot, or oil-burning device used to prevent grape vines from freezing during a sudden cold snap.
What does the abbreviation “RC” refer to?
Récoltant-Coopérateur. A grower who sends his/her grapes to a co-op to be made into Champagne, then sells this wine under a private label.
What does the term “sur lattes” refer to?
The practice of storing Champagne bottles on horizontal strips of wood
What is the meaning of the term “tirage”?
Bottling
What are the three AOCs in Champagne?
Rosé des Riceys, Coteaux Champenois and Champagne
Which Champagne is sweeter: Doux or Demi-Sec?
Doux
What is the primary grape of Vitry-le-François?
Chardonnay
How many standard bottles of wine are contained in a Salmanazar?
12
What is “disgorgement”?
The removal of yeast after the second fermentation of sparkling wine made in the Champagne method.
How many standard bottles of wine are contained in a Jéroboam?
4
What is the primary grape of the Vallée de la Marne?
Pinot Meunier
What is the meaning of the term “prise de mouse”?
“Seizing of the foam” or the second alcholic fermentation in the making of Champagne
What does the abbreviation “CM” refer to?
Cooperative de Manipulation. A cooperative that makes Champagne using the grapes of its members.
What is “transversage”?
The process of using 750 ml bottles of champagne to fill large (bigger than magnums) and small format bottles after disgorgement
What is a “Blanc de Blancs”?
A white sparking wine made from white grapes.
What are the seven levels of sweetness of Champagne?
From driest to sweetest: Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, Extra-Sec (or Extra-Dry), Sec (Dry), Demi-Sec, Doux
What is the primary grape of the Côte des Blancs?
Chardonnay
What is a “pupitre”?
An A-frame rack used for riddling Champagne bottles
What were the two principal grapes of Champagne in the 9th to 16th centuries?
Gouais and Fromenteau
What is “remuage”?
Riddling, or turning Champagne bottles to collect the lees in the neck.
What was the contribution of Veuve Cliquot (Ponsardin) to Champagne making?
The process of riddling (remuage)
What are the aging requirements for Champagne (vintage and non-vintage) versus crémant?
Non-Vintage Champagne: 12 months on lees + 3 more months in cellar. Vintage Champagne: 12 months on lees + 24 more months in cellar. Crémant: 9 months on lees.
What are the three levels in the Echelle des Crus?
Grand Cru: 100% (17 villages). Premier Cru: 90–99% (42 villages). Cru: 80–89% (255 villages)
What is the primary grape of the Côte des Bar?
Pinot Noir
What are the two types of chalk found in Champagne?
Belemite (preferred) and Micraster
What are the three principal grapes of Champagne today?
Pinot Noir (38%), Pinot Meunier (34%), Chardonnay (28%)
What does the abbreviation “RM” refer to?
Récoltant-Manipulant. A producer who grows his/her own grapes and makes his/her own Champagne.
What was Dom Pierre Perignon’s most important contribution to Champagne?
Creating the cuvée (blend) of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier
Which Champagne region is included in the Kimmeridgian Ring?
The Côte des Bar
What does the abbreviation “NM” refer to?
Négociant-Manipulant. A producer of Champagne who buys grapes from others.
Which Champagne is drier: Brut Nature or Sec?
Brut Nature
What is the difference between AOC Coteaux Champenois and AOC Champagne?
AOC Coteaux Champenois is 100% still, while AOC Champagne is 100% sparkling. Both AOCs cover the same area and use the same grapes.
What is the “liqueur d’expédition”?
The mix of sugar and still reserve wine added to Champagne after dégorgement and before the cork is inserted
Why is Belamite chalk preferred over Micraster chalk?
Because of its location. Belamite is found at the upper to mid slope, where there is more sun and better water retention.
How many standard bottles of wine are contained in a Réhoboam?
6
What is a “Blanc de Noirs”?
A white sparkling wine made from black grapes
Champagne- Background
- Took centuries to understand most areas of fermentation
- Saint Hilaire located close to the Languedoc town of Limoux, credited with crafting the 1st French sparkling wine (1500s)
- Champagne took this process and developed it
Ancient History- Champagne
- 4th and 5th Centuries v/ yards planted (Romans). Also through romans became a trade route and mine for chalk
200s- Champagne
- Over run and turned over to the Vandals, the Teutons, the Franks, and the Huns. France was known as Gaul. Clovis, kind of a Franks, waged war with the intention of uniting the tribes of Gaul
- Bishop Rémi (Bishop of Reims) tried to convert Clovis to Christianity. The two came to an agreement. If Clovis got victory over enermies, he would convert
- Bishop blessed the cask, and said as long as there was wine in the cask he would be victorious. Bishop Rémi was made Saint Rémi.
600 years- Champagne
(27 kings, Lovis the VIII to Charles X were crowned there) Champagne was associated with royalty
- As Reims grows as a power- ground so did conflict in the region
- Champagne witnessed:
- Frankish and German wars
- 100 yr war (England tried for French throne)
- Nepoleon’s battles with Austria, Prussa/ Russia
- Both world wars (bullet castings are still found in v/yards)
9 Century- Champagne
- Known as “Vins De la Montagne” (mountain Wines) and Vins De la Riviere (River Wines). Ay Wines known as “the ordinary Wines of king and princes”- Most Wines still and most Red
Middle Ages- Champagne as a wine region
- Became a cross road for supplier ps. Big fairs were held, lasted up to 49 days. Traded spices, olives, wool and leather
Until 1600s- Champagne as a wine region
- No one understood how sparking Wines worked. Stronger bottles and air tight corks helped with controlling it
- Textiles very important. Merchants found their clients would buy the local wine. Some decided to change from textiles to wine full time:
- Ruinart 1729
- Moët 1743
- Dellamonte 1760
- Verve Cliquot 1772
- Heidseck 1785
- These house’s thrived after the king allowed champagne to be shipped in bottle not cask
17th Century- Champagne as A wine region
- Wines known as “Vin De Champagne”, brand established
17th to 18th Century- Champagne as a Region
- Scientific explosion. Better understanding of Champagne process
1887- Champagne as a Region
- Court ruling said that the word champagne could only be used with the region
1890- Champagne as wine region
- Phylloxera arrives and devastates the area (Prior; 150,000 acres/ 60,000 ha, Post: 30,000 acres/ 12,000 ha). Density prior: 20,000 vines per acre/ 50,000 vines per hectare, After: 3,200 acres/ 8,000 per ha
1908- Champagne as a Region
- V/ yards designated but civil unrest from growers in the Aube, Sth of Troyes. This town used to be the capital of Champagne. After the riots of the Aube (following their inclusion), the Marne rioted due to anger over the Aube being included
1927- Champagne as a Region
- Aube officially recognised
Turn of the 20th Century- Champagne as a Region
- Champagne become the drink of Belle Epoque (1920s)
- Chamoagne still fights for its name
- Champagne owns phrases like “Champagne method” or “Methode Champanoise”
Champagne- Location/ Climate
- Most nothernly of regions. 49 degrees and 49.5 degrees
- 1.5 hours from Paris
The Climate of Champagne- Background
- Both cold and harsh. Boardeaux 2,069 hours of sunshine, Bourgogne 1910 hrs, Champagne barely 1,650 hours
- Both continental and Maritime
What Climate does champagne have?
Continental= winter temps are affected dramatically, Maritime spring and fall with significant frost
- Fairly proportionate rainfall year wide
Champagne through the Seasons
- Spring frosts common and severe. Affects yields, kills fruit bearing buds. Sprinkler systems used to fight the danger periods. Continuous sprinklers creates an ice capsule around the bud. This lasts as long as 32 degrees f (0 degrees Celsius) is maintained
- Summers with continental influence creates sun, Maritime influence means cloud.
- Autumn brings early frosts
- Winters can herald brutal freezes 14 degrees f (- 10 degrees celcius) for 3- 4 days a year
Traditional Vines- Champagne
- Gouais Noir (black berried)
- Gouais Blanc (white berried)
- Fromenteau (grey- pink berried)…..commonly known as Pinot Gris
- Épinette, Bon Blanc, Petit Blanc, plus Arianne/ Arbane, Petit Messier and Chardonnay. Red grapes were Chasselas Rouge, Gamay, Morillon (Pinot Noir), Enfumé Noir and Pinot Meunier
Modern Grapevines (16th Century to Today)- Champagne
- Three grapes became the cornerstone:
- Pinot Noir: 38% of total plantings- least amount of acid/ moderate alc
- Pinot Meunier: 34% of total plantings- Moderate acid/ least alc
- Chardonnay: 28% of total plantings- Most acid/ alc
- Pinot Gris/ Pinot Blanc/ Arbanne/ Petit Meslier authorised in Champagne AOC but are uncommon
What are the four sub regions of Champagne?
- The Montagne and Val De Reims
- Vallee De La Marne
- Côte De Blancs and surrounds
- Cotes des Bar
How many distinct terroirs are there in Champagne?
17
How many terroirs are in the Montagne and Val De Reims?
4
Massif de Saint- Thierry- Champagne
Pinot Meunier
Along on the right bank of the Vesle River. Nrthern most part of the region. Nthwst of Reims. Vineyards: Stheast: sand/ clay/ Marl
Vesle and Ardre Valleys (Val De Reims)- Champagne
Pinot Meunier
Sth of Massif De Saint- Thierry/ WST of Reims lies the Vallee De l’Ardre and Vallee De La Vesle. Vines are on both sides of the Ardre. Soils of Ardre Valley are sand; clay, Marl. V/yards face nthest and sthest
Mont De Berry- Champagne
Chardonnay
4 miles/ 7 kms est of Reims, circle Mont Bernu. Varying aspects. Chalk