Champagne Flashcards
how far is champagne from paris
1.5 hour drive
what does champagne mean?
Champagne takes its name from the Latin “campagna” meaning “unforested land” or ”open country”.
What is champagne climate?
Continental Climate
– but with maritime influences
– Grapes barely ripe, which what gives it the unique taste
What are the champagne soils?
Chalk, limestone-rich marls, and composites of sand and clay
What is a Crayères?
system of galleries that used to be quarries. Roman era, used to create buidling material from the chalk.
Press style?
vertical press created. Full clusters pressed on arrival for clear juice.
Beleminte soil?
Fossil squid. preferred soil. upper/mid slope
micraster soil?
fossil sea urchin, flattening slope
limestone rich marl location?
Montagne de Reims and Cotes de Bar. Doesnt hold mosture like chalk. Preferred for Pinot Noir. Some limestone areas also have “Kimmeridgean Marl” which is oyster fossils.
Sand/Clay soil location?
Vallee de la Marne, Val de Reims, Cotex Sudd’Epernay. Clay is tigh to tart, exposes true aromas. Sandy - open to easy drinking and upfront fruit.
What are the regions in the Heart of Champagne?
Cotes de Blanc, Vallee de La Marne, Montagne de Reims.
Where did the Champagne fair take place?
use to be known for trading post due to the fair grounds in Troyes called “La Place de Fares”. Rems was known for wool trade, and they would gift champagne to their traders… increased interest.
Whats significant about King Louis XIV
allowed champagne to be sold in bottles to keep the bubbles. 1728
Who started sabering Champagne
Napolean and his army when they took over a town, village on horse back.
When did Champagne can only call it’s self champagne?
Court of Appeal 1887
What is Vins Claire?
First Fermentation, grapes ferm low temp and separate varietals
What is Assemblage?
Blending after First Fermentation to make the Cuvee, rose can be saignee or add pinot to Vins Claire.
What is Tirage?
When liquor of Tirage is added to the bottles. Prise de mousse “seizing the foam”
What is Elevage?
second fermentation in the sur lattes. 30 days or more. 70% must be of current vintage.
what is Remuage?
Riddling. moving the dead yeast to the top of the bottle. 3 months by hand or gyropalletes is 1 week.
What is Degorgement?
Disgorging. chilled at 45, neck is frozen in a solution. “Disgorgement a la volee” = disgorged by hand.
What is Dosage?
Liquer d’Expedition, or Liquer de Dosage”. Wine lost at Degorgement will add back identical wine and add sugar.
What is Resting?
Bottles waiting in the cellar to fully develop.
What is non-vintage?
no specific harvest year. Less aging is 12 months + 3 months of additional bottle aging = 15 months total
what is vintage?
specific harvest year, less aging for 12 months, 2 years bottle aging = 36 months
What is Transverage?
using 750s to fill up smaller or larger bottles
what were the original grapes used in 9-16th century
Govais and Fromenteau grapes
What is Tete de Cuvee?
house prestige cuvee
What are the 3 AOCs
Rose des Riceys, Coteaux Champagne, Champagne
T/F: is champagne the largest AOC in value
True
How many grand crus?
17