Champagne

Question 1

Where is Champagne?

Answer 1

49th parallel, one of the most northerly wine growing regions.

Question 2

What climate does Champagne have?

Answer 2

Cool continental

Question 3

Physical feature(s) to mention?

Answer 3

No protection from Atlantic influence; therefore, unpredictable weather, rain, frost, and hail threats.

Grande Montagne
Marne River

Question 4

What’s the soil type/name in Champagne?

Answer 4

Limestone, chalk

Question 5

How are the grapes grown there?

Answer 5

Grapes are picked earlier to preserve natural acidity.

Question 6

How is wine made in Champagne?

Answer 6

Champagne Method Steps:

Still wine is made Assemblage of cuvée
Bubbles are created using liqueur de tirage
Sur lie aging - Autolysis
Riddling (rémuage) using pupitre or gyropalette
Disgorging (dégorgement)
Dosage added using liqueur d’expédition

Question 7

In the Champagne method, what’s the contents of liqueur de tirage?

Question 8

In the Champagne method, what are the contents of and liqueur d’expédition and how it affects the style of the wine?

Question 9

What’s the white grape variety names?

Answer 9

30% Chardonnay for plantings

Question 10

What’s are the AOPs of Champagne?

Answer 10

Region: Champagne AOP
Subregions: Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims

Côte des Bar, Côte de Sézanne

Question 11

What’s the red grape variety names?

Answer 11

38% Pinot Noir, 32% Meunier for plantings

Question 12

What’s the difference between vintage and non-vintage?

Answer 12

Non-Vintage: 12 month on lees, min 15 months total aging.

Vintage: min 36 months total aging.

Échelle des Crus: Grand Cru Villages and Premier Cru Villages exist and may be put on labels.

Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne

Question 13

What are the label terms in Champagne and what do they mean?

Answer 13

Blanc de Blancs
Blanc de Noirs
Brut
Special Club
Récoltant Manipulant
Négociant Manipulant
Vieilles Vignes

Question 14

Explain the following: cuvée de Prestige/Tête de Cuvée, Négociant, Grower

Question 15

Explain Grandes Marques

Question 16

What are some producers/proprietary brands of Champagne?

Answer 16

Moët & Chandon, Roederer, Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, Charles Heidsieck, Krug

Question 17

What styles of Champagne exist?

Answer 17

Brut, Non-Vintage, Vintage, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Rosé

Single vineyard
Clos
Sweetness levels: Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demi-Sec, Doux

Question 18

Match Grandes Marques to their prestige cuvées.

Question 19

What are three non-Grandes Marques producers and three grower producers?

Question 20

What are the best vintages of the past 15 years?

Question 21

Explain the invention of riddling rack (Madame Clicquot) and gyropalette.

Question 22

What never to do when opening champagne?

Answer 22

Never point the cork at someone while opening the bottle and never take your hand off the top (the cage and cork) top while removing the cork.

Question 23

What are the CMS-A published sparkling wine opening standards?

Question 24

Pairings with Champagne?

Answer 24

Champagne is an incredibly versatile beverage that goes with many types of foods.

Eggs, caviar.