Champagne Flashcards
What is disgorgement?
Removal of yeast after 2nd fermentation
What is disgorgement a la volee?
Disgorgement by hand
What is a mosser?
a whisk used to release trapped gas from wine
What is the climate of the Champagne region?
Continental with maritime influences
In what year did the King of France allow wine to be sold and transported in bottle?
1728
What is the most popular style of Champagne?
Brut non-vintage/multi-vintage
Which city was historically the capital of the Champagne region?
Troyes
What is Chalk?
a porous limestone - a sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate
What was the first champagne house?
Ruinart - founded in 1729
In Champagne, the vineyards are ranked Grand Cru or 1er Cru. True or False?
False. The villages are ranked NOT THE individual VINEYARDS
In Champagne, which is the higher ranking, Grand Cru or Premier Cru?
Grand Cru
What are the two types of chalk found in Champagne?
Belemnite and Micraster
What is the dominant grape variety grown in the Grande Montagne de Reims?
Pinot Noir
What is the dominant grape variety grown in the Vallee de la Marne?
Meunier
What is Kimmeridgean Marl?
a limestone-rich clay - dominant fossil is Exogyra virgula - a small comma-shaped oyster
What is the dominant fossil found in Belemnite chalk?
Ancient dart-like relatives of the modern-day squid
What is mono-parcelle?
single vineyard
What is mono-cru?
single village or cru
What is a gyropalette?
a mechanised riddling machine
What is a blanc des blancs?
a sparkling wine made by white grapes
What is the dominant variety of the Cote des Blancs?
Chardonnay
List the seven dosage levels from driest to sweetest.
Brut nature, extra-brut, Brut, extra sec, sec, demi-sec, doux
What is the dominant grape variety of the Cote de Sezanne?
Chardonnay
What is a blanc des noirs?
white sparkling wine made by black grapes