Champagne

Question 1

Define Champagne

Answer 1

Champagne is a sparkling white wine made in the delimited region of Champagne in France by following méthode de champenoise.

Question 2

CIVC

Answer 2

Comite Interprofessional du vin de Champagne

Question 3

Grapes used in Champagne

Answer 3

CHARDONNAY
PINOT NOIR
PINOT MEUNIER

Question 4

Methode champenoise 1st step

Answer 4

Pressing
Picked and sent to the hydraulic press – pressed four times.
Only the first two pressings are used – rest for coteaux champenoise (still Champagne).

Question 5

Methode champenoise 2nd step

Answer 5

First fermentation
In cask – starts about 8 hours after pressing.
A dry, still wine is produced.
Left in cask for about 5 months – racked and fined during this period.

Question 6

Methode champenoise 3rd step

Answer 6

Assemblage
Any no. of wines from around 250 villages.
Highly paid wine-tasters/blenders ensure brand-continuity.

Question 7

Methode champenoise 4th step

Answer 7

Dosage de tirage
Yeast and rock candy (from sugarcane) dissolved in old wine (liqueur de tirage).
Added for secondary fermentation which is carried out in bottle.

Question 8

Methode champenoise 5th

Answer 8

Bottling & Secondary Fermentation
Immediately after dosage, bottled & corked – secured with a wire muzzle and agrafé.
Bottles placed mis sur latte in the natural chalky caverns – constant cold temperature ideal for Secondary Fermentation.
Secondary fermentation starts after about six weeks.
Mis sur latte for about 2 to 5 years (minimum 1 year for non-vintage and 3 years for vintage champagnes).

Question 9

Methode champenoise 6th step

Answer 9

Remuage
(removal of debris by the remneur)
Bottles placed at 45º on the pupître.
Everyday the remneur grasps and shakes each bottle → sediments dislodged.
Remneur changes the angle slightly.
In 3 to 5 months the bottles are brought to sur le pointe.

Question 10

Methode champenoise 7th step

Answer 10

Dégorgement
The neck is frozen.
The muzzle is taken off and the debris go out like a bullet.
Some wine is lost.

Question 11

Methode champenoise 8th step

Answer 11

Dosage
Similar wine + sugar (as, and if, required) = liqueur d’expédition
Added to replace lost wine.

Question 12

Methode champenoise 9th step

Answer 12

Final Dressing
Corked finally and permanently.
Wired and dressed in foil.

• Regularly shipped to more than 160 countries.*

Question 13

Methode champagnoise

Answer 13

Pressing
First fermentation
Assemblage
Dosage de tirage
Bottling and secondary fermentation 
Remuage 
Degorgement
Dosage
Final dressing