Champagne Flashcards
What early vintages in the Champagne had exceptional cold spells, contributing to stuck fermentations and accidental sparkling wines
1650
1770
1850
Mosser
A wooden whisk used to stir and release undesirable CO2 from wine, 1600’s.
What 3 17th century advancements helped vignerons master sparkling wine production?
- Stronger glass bottles
- Uniform bottle neck openings
- Corks as mainstream closure
When was the first intentionally crafted sparkling Champagne made?
Between 1695-1698
What and when the first Champagne house was established?
Ruinart- 1729
Year for 1st Champagne drinking glass?
1755, long conical bowl
Louis Pasteur’s discovery?
What did it allow for?
action & significance of yeast-1857
Enabled producers to fine tune the fermentation process, leading to the concept of “house style”
Name a mono-parcelle
Philipponnat’s Clos des Goisses
Name a mono-cru
Salon’s Cuvée “S” Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs
Co-ops role in Champagne
More Co-ops here then any other French wine region
Sur Lattes
“on the lattes”. Thin strips of wood used to separate one row of champagne bottles from another in a stack
CIVC
Comite Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne
Can block/authorize the release of a producer’s reserves.
Vin de la Montagne
Mountain wines
Vin de la Riviere
River Wines
Early Champagne production (4th-9th century) was what style of wine?
Mostly, Red & Still
Decree of 1728?
King Louis XV allowing transport & trade of Champagne in bottle
Reims was originally famous for its?
Textiles
When was the term Champagne made a legal term?
1887, now can only be used for wines in the region.
When and how did Phylloxera affect Champagne?
1890- Killed 80% of vineyards
What happened Champagne in 1908?
Zone of production delineated. Riots believing Aube should be a 2nd zone
1927, Aube officially part of Champagne
Troyes?
Heart of Champagne, used to be capital of the region. “Le Bouchon de Champagne” (From the air looks like a Champagne cork)
Champagne’s Golden Age?
1870-1914
Belle Epoque & Roaring 20’s
What is the largest AOC in France by value?
Champagne
Champagne parallels?
48-49.5
Champagne days of frost on average/yr
60-80 days
What is the Paris Basin?
Downward depression of sedimentary rock strata
Champagne soil types?
Chalk
Linestone Marl
Sand/Clay
What areas of Champagne are famous for Chalk soils?
Cote de Blancs, Montgueux, Vitry le Francor
Ay, Reims, Epernay, Ambonnay, Verzenay
What varietal likes Chalk the most?
Chardonnay, produces high acid, lean, with reserved aromatics.
Crayeres?
Ancient underground chalk quarry
Champagne 2 types of Chalk
- Belemnite- preferred! Fossilized squid, upper-mid slope
- Micraster- fossilized sea urchin, where the slopes flatten out.
What varietal Likes Limestone Marl the most?
Pinot Noir, Makes deep aromatic, earthy style. least acid of Champagne varietals.
Champagne Areas famous for Limestone Marl?
Grand Montagne de Reims, Cote de Bar
Areas Champagne for Sand/Clay
Valle de la Marne, Val de Reims, Coteaux Sud d’ Epernay, Val de Petit Marn
Sezanne=Chalk & Clay
4 Principle terroirs of the Montagne & Val de Reims
- Massif de Saint-Thierry
- Val de Reims
- Grand Montagne de Reims
- Monts de Berru
Massif de Saint-Thierry
Montagne de Reims
Vesle River
Sand/Clay/Marl
85% PM