Champagne Flashcards
Name five districts for Champagne production?
Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne, and the Côte des Bars
What is ageing requirement for basic, NV Champagne AOP?
Min. 15 months from date of tirage, 12 months of which must be maturation on the lees.
What is ageing requirement for Vintage Champagne AOP?
Vintage Wines: Min. 36 months from date of tirage, 12 months of which must be maturation on the lees (in practice much longer)
Name Sweetness Levels for Champagne from driest?
Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demi-Sec, and Doux.
What is the oldest Champagne house still in operation today?
Gosset was founded in 1584 as a still wine producer (Ruinart, established in 1729, can claim to be the oldest sparkling Champagne house).
What Champagne house released first brut wine on market?
Pommery put the first brut Champagne, Pommery “Nature,” on the market in 1874.
What Champagne house first released a tête de cuvée, or prestige cuvée?
Inaugural 1921 vintage of Moët et Chandon’s “Dom Pérignon”.
Which grape variety is the most planted in Champagne region?
In 2012, Pinot Noir accounted for 38% of total plantings, Chardonnay accounted for 30%, and Meunier accounted for 32%.
In Champagne blend what Chardonnay provides to the blend?
Elegance and longevity
In Champagne blend what Pinot Noir provides to the blend?
Structure, richness and body
In Champagne blend what Meunier provides to the blend?
Youthful fruitiness and approachability, important for non-vintage wines, tends not to be used in wines intended for long ageing.
What is “Échelle de Crus”
Percentile system by which the villages, or crus, of the Champagne appellation are rated.
What is “liqueur de tirage”?
Mixture of still wine, yeasts, sugar, and fining agents that will serve to ignite the second fermentation in the production of Champagne.
What is “prise de mousse”?
The second fermentation in Champagne production.
How is called breakdown of dead yeast cells?
Autolysis
What is “gyropalette”?
Spanish invention, which replaced hand-riddling, it is an automated device that holds 504 bottles.
What is “dosage” or “liqueur d’expédition”?
Liquid mixture of sugar syrup and wine. Rarely, bone-dry non-dosage styles are produced. The amount of sugar in the dosage is determined by the desired style of the wine.
What is “muselet”?
Wire cage.
What is the name of Champagne bottle which can hold 375 ml?
Half Bottle (Demi)
What is the name of Champagne bottle which can hold 1.5 L (2 bottles)?
Magnum