Champagne Flashcards
What vine training methods are allowed in Champagne?
Cordon de Royat, Chablis, Guyot (simple or double), Vallée de la Marne
*Vallée de la Marne is permitted for Meunier only
Champagne: What is “NM”?
Négociant Manipulant:
Producer that purchases at least some of its grapes
Champagne: What is “RM”?
Récoltant Manipulant:
Producer that makes Champagne exclusively from its own vineyards
Champagne: What is “RC”?
Récoltant-cooperateur:
Grower that sells grapes to a co-op and then receives Champagne to sell under its own individual label
Champagne: What is “CM”?
Cooperative de manipulation:
Co-op selling wine made from its members’ grapes
Champagne: What is “SR”?
Société de récoltants:
Group of growers (typically family members) making Champagne from their own vineyards
Champagne: What is “ND”?
Négociant distributeur:
Merchant that buys bottles of Champagne to market under their own label
Champagne: What is “MA?”
Marque auxiliaire/Marque d’acheteur:
Buyer’s own brand (i.e. Costco, Kirkland)
What grapes are allowed in Champagne?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Arbane, Petit Meslier
A maximum what percentage of a year’s harvest may be used for vintage Champagne?
80%
How long must non-vintage Champagne be aged?
15 months from the date of tirage
How long must vintage Champagne be aged?
36 months from the date of tirage
Rosé de Riceys AOP produces what style of wine? From what grape(s)?
- rosé (tranquille)
2. 100% Pinot Noir
Grand Cru villages of Montagne de Reims:
Sillery, Puiseulx, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Verzenay, Mailly-Champagne, Verzy, Louvois, Bouzy, Ambonnay
Grand Cru villages of Vallée de la Marne:
Aÿ, Tours-sur-Marne
Grand Cru villages of Côte des Blancs:
Chouilly (GC for white), Oiry, Cramant, Avize, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Marne
Champagne: who produces Celebris?
Gosset
- Prestige Cuvée
- Vintage-dated
What is belemnite?
The upper portion of soil in Champagne, comprised of fossilized remains of ancient squid beaks composed of calcite
*This is typically favored, as it is usually found on hillsides that benefit the slope wash and so has a blend of subsoils and lignite
What is micraster?
The bottom layer of soil in Champagne, comprised of tiny fossilized sea urchins
Why is lignite important in the chalky soils of Champagne?
Chalk is iron-deficient, so lignite provides the much-needed iron, and other nutrients, to the vine
Sweetness levels of Champagne? (after 2010)
Brut Nature: 0-3 g/L RS Extra Brut: 0-6 g/L RS Brut: 0-12 g/L RS Extra Dry: 12-17 g/L RS Sec: 17-32 g/L RS Demi-Sec: 32-50 g/L RS Doux: 50+ g/L RS
*Brut nature may not contain any dosage and equivalent terms include non-dosé, brut sauvage, ultra brut, dosage zéro, sans sucre, pas dosé
What are the main viticultural hazards in Champagne?
Spring frost and fungal disease
Billecart-Salmon prestige cuvées?
Nicolas François Billecart
Grande Cuvée
Elisabeth Salmon Rosé
Clos St-Hilaire (monoparcel, 100% P Noir)
Bollinger prestige cuvées?
La Grande Année
RD
Vieilles Vignes Françaises
