Champagne Flashcards
What is the name of the method used to make Champagne?
Methode Champenoise
What are the 2 other names for the Methode Champenoise outside of Champagne?
Methode Traditionelle
Methode Classique
Who is the Benedictine monk praised for their techniques of assemblage and viticulture in Champagne?
Dom Perignon
Where was Dom Perignon the cellar master of?
Abbey of Hautvillers
Where is Champagne located?
Northern France, north of Paris, between the 48th and 49th parallel
What are Champagnes 4 main concerns during every vintage?
Frost
Rain
Fungal disease
Hail
What are the soils of Champagne?
Belemnite chalk subsoil over micraster chalk mixed with a high content of limestone. There is a thin layer of sand and clay covering the chalk
What is belemnite chalk?
Derived from the fossilised remains of millions of extinct cephalopods and has a high limestone content
What is micraster chalk?
Chalk derived from an extinct sea urchin
What are the 3 principle grapes of Champagne?
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Pinot Meunier
What do each of the 3 main Champagne grapes provide to a Champagne blend?
Chardonnay provides elegance and longevity
Pinot Noir provides structure, richness, and body
Meunier provides fruitiness and approachability
What are the 4 accessory grapes of Champagne?
Pinot Blanc Vrai
Arbane
Pinot Gris
Pinot Meslier
How many villages are there in Champagne?
357
What are the 5 districts of Champagne?
Montagne de Reims
Vallee de la Marne
Cotes des Blanc
Cotes de Sezanne
Cotes des Bar
How many grand cru and premier cru villages are in Champagne?
17 Grand Crus
42 Premier Crus
Which grape dominates the Montagne de Reims?
Pinot Noir
Which grape dominates the Valle de la Marne?
Meunier
Which grape dominates the Cotes de Blanc?
Chardonnay
Which grape dominates the Cotes des Sezanne?
Chardonnay
What is the role of the CIVC?
A regulatory body responsible for overseeing relations between growers and producers, and overseeing production methods and marketing of Champagne. They also regulate the size of the harvests, and regulate the release and reserve of wine stocks for use in future vintages
What is the Echelle de Crus?
A system setup by the CIVC to set the price of grapes. It was abolished in the early 2000s and now the CIVC supervises transactions
What is a Negociant Manipulant?
A Champagne house that buys grapes and/or a base wine from growers and smaller producers. They often own their own vineyards as well
What is the name of a Champagne House’s flagship (best) wine?
Cuvee de Prestige
What are the Prestige Cuvées of Bollinger?
Grand Annee
R.D.
What are the Prestige Cuvées of Krug?
Krug Collection
Grand Cuvee
What is the Prestige Cuvée of Laurent Perrier?
Grand Siecle
What is the Prestige Cuvée of Moet & Chandon?
Dom Perignon