Champagne Flashcards
What is are mossers and what are they used for?
Wooden whisks used to release trapped gas from wine in the 1600s
What are the three advancements that allowed vignerons to understand the mechanics of fermentation to the point of control in the 17th century?
- Stronger glass bottles
- Uniform bottle neck openings
- Mainstream use of cork to maintain an air-tight seal
When was the first intentionally crafted champagne created?
Between 1695-1698
What is the first champagne house and when was it established?
Ruinart in 1729
When did the champagne glass debut?
1755
When was the action and significance of yeast discovered and who discovered it?
Louis Pasteur in 1857
What are the advantages of “house style” or proprietary blends?
- Consistency each year
- Blending from different regions minimizes the risk of crop loss
Define and provide examples for the following:
A. Mono-parcelle
B. Mono-cru
A. Single vineyard
Example: Clos des Goisses (Philipponat’s mono-parcelle bottling)
B. Single village
Example: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (Salon’s Cuvee “S” Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs)
How do most grower champagnes differ from big house champagnes?
Typically mono-cru or mono-parcelle production that embrace vintage variation and signature flavors reflecting the specific terroirs
Define “sur lattes”
“on the lattes”
Lattes are thin strips of wood that separate a row of champagne bottles in a stack. The practice of selling wines sur lattes is defined as the sale of finished sparkling wine to another party who will put their own label on the wine.
What is the Comite Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne and what is its role?
The regions interprofessional organization that can block or authorize the release of a production’s reserves in response to global market demand.
Global market demand dictates annual yields to maintain price stability.
When and by whom were vineyards established in Champagne? What other peoples claimed ownership of Champagne throughout history?
4th and 5th centuries CE by the Romans
Vandals, Teutons, Franks, and Huns
What were two early names for wines from Champagne? Describe the style.
vins de la montagne (mountain wines) and vins de la riviere (river wines)
dry, still red wines
How has Reims been positively and negatively impacted by its political significance?
(+) Associated with wealth, royalty, celebration, privilege, power, and position
(-) Center of conflict during wars (e.g. the Hundred Years War, Napoleon’s battles against Austria, Prussia, and Russia, WWI, and WWII)
What were two significant events in the late 1800s that impacted Champagne?
(+) 1887 Court of Appeal in Angers declared that the word champagne could only be used for wines produced in the Champagne region
(-) 1890 Arrival of phylloxera reduced the vineyards to 1/5 their former size
Which AOC is the largest by value in France?
Champagne (as of 2019) with sales nearing 5 billion euros
Describe the conflict that occurred in response to an attempt to delineate Champagne zones of production in 1908.
Aube was originally not included. They rioted and were added but only as a “second” zone of production in response to counter riots from Marne growers. Eventually in 1929, the Aube was recognized and included as part of the official Champagne region.
Champagne lies between the __ and __ parallels.
48 and 49.5 parallels north
Describe the climate of Champagne.
Continental with marked maritime influences
Summers are warm but seldom hot
Winters are cold
Spring and Autumn see heavy frosts
Ample rainfall year round. Cloud cover is common and breezes are moist
What are the climatic threats to Champagne and how does the topography help to combat these threats?
Low temperatures, frost, hail, fog, rain, and humidity
The topography creates mesoclimates that provide the vine with shelter, warmth, and adequate air circulation by:
- Creating suntraps
- Maritime influences moderate temperatures and mitigate frost damage
Describe the Paris Basin.
Large downward depression of sedimentary rock strata
What are the three primary soil types of Champagne?
Chalk, limestone-rich marls, composites of sand and clay
Describe what chalk is and how its properties impact the vine and eventually wines produced from grapes cultivated on chalky soils.
- Porous limestone composed of calcium carbonate
- Chalky subsoils stores water and drains the topsoil of moisture
- Grapes typically are high in acid and produce wines that are lean with reserved aromatics
Which chalk type is preferred for viticulture and why?
Belemite is preferred to Micraster because it is found on the upper to mid-slopes versus the flatter aspects of the slopes
What is marl and how does the properties of Limestone-rich marl impact the vine and eventually wines produced from grapes cultivated on these soils.
Marl (mixture of clay and limestone) does not pull as much moisture from the topsoil as compared to chalky soils.
Preferred for Pinot Noir cultivation and delivers a deeply aromatic, earthy expression of the varietal.
Where in Champagne can you find Limestone-rich marl?
Montagne de Reims
Cote des Bar (Kimmeridgean marl)
Describe wines that are produced from grapes cultivated on sandy vs clay soils.
Clay soils produce tight and taut wines that need age to express their flavors and aromas
Sandy soils produce open and easy-drinking wines with overt fruit characteristics
What are the 4 sub-regions of Champagne?
- Valle de la Marne
- The Montagne & Val de Reims
- Cote des Blancs (and surroundings)
- Cote des Bar
What are the four terroirs of the Montagne and Val de Reims?
- Massif de Saint-Thierry
- Val de Reims (Vesle and Ardre valleys)
- Grand Montagne de Reims
- Monts de Berru
TERROIR: Massif de Saint-Thierry
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- Northernmost region of the Montagne along the Vesle River
- Sand, clay, and marl
- 85% red (majority Meunier)
TERROIR: Val de Reims
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- West of Reims
- Sand, clay, and marl
- Meunier
TERROIR: Grand Montagne de Reims
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- South of Reims, horseshoe-shaped uplift
- Limestone-rich marls with some chalk
- Pinot Noir
TERROIR: Monts de Berru
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- NE of Reims
- Chalk
- > 90% Chardonnay
What are the six terroirs of Vallee de la Marne?
- Grande Vallee de la Marne
- Valle de la Marne Rive Gauche (L bank)
- VDM Rive Droite (R bank)
- VDM Ouest (west)
- Conde
- Coteaux Sud d’Epernay
TERROIR: Grande Vallee de la Marne
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- SW of Montagne de Reims; steep valley carved by the Marne River
- Sands, clays, and marls; pockets of chalk
- Pinot Noir (significant number of 1er and Grand cru sites)
TERROIR: VDM Rive Gauche
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- L bank (W of Grande Vallee de la Marne)
- Sand, marl, clay
- Meunier
TERROIR: VDM Rive Droite
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- R bank (W of Rive Gauche)
- Sand, marl, clay
- Meunier
TERROIR: VDM Ouest
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- West portion of Vallee de la Marne (W of Rive Gauche)
- Sand, marl, clay
- Meunier
TERROIR: Conde
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- Between towns of Chateau-Thierry and Dormans (S side of Marne River) on lower slopes of Limestone uplift
- Limestone
- Meunier
TERROIR: Coteaux Sud d’Epernay
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- Between Epernay and Cote des Blancs
- Divided between sand, marl, and clays of the Marne and chalk of Cote des Blancs
- Meunier & Chardonnay (minimal Pinot Noir)
What are the five terroirs of the Cote des Blancs and Surroundings?
- Cote des Blancs
- Val du Petit Morin
- Vitryat
- Cote de Sezanne
- Montgueux
TERROIR: Cote des Blancs
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- S of Epernay
- Chalk
- Chardonnay; number of 1er and Grand Cru ranked villages
TERROIR: Val du Petit Morin
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- S of Cote des Blancs on a tributary of the Marne River
- Chalk, clay, marl, sand
- Meunier & Chardonnay
TERROIR: Cote de Sezanne
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- S of Val du Petit Morin
- Chalk
- Chardonnay
TERROIR: Vitryat
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- Far E of Cote de Sezanne
- Chalk
- Chardonnay
TERROIR: Montgueux
1. Location
2. Soil type
3. Primary grape varietal
- S of Cote de Sezanne (part of Aube); W of Troyes
- Chalk
- Chardonnay
What are the two terroirs of the Cote des Bar?
What are the soil type and primary grape varietal of both terroirs?
- Bar-sur-Aubois (flanks the Aube River)
- Barsequanais (5 small river valleys near the villages of Les Riceys)
Kimmeridgean marls; 85% Pinot Noir
What is the Echelle des Crus and what is its purpose?
“Scale of Growths”
Established in 1911 to recognize different terroirs within the Champagne AOC. It currently ranks 300+ villages and vineyards
What rating is required for a village/vineyard to be recognized as Grand Cru by the Echelle des Crus?
100%
What rating is required for a village/vineyard to be recognized as Premier Cru by the Echelle des Crus?
90-99%
How many Grand Cru villages are there and where are they located?
17
6 in the Cote des Blancs
9 in the Montagne de Reims
2 in Valle de la Marne
How many Premier Cru villages are there?
42
What is the minimum Echelle des Crus rating required for grapes to be used in Champagne production?
80%
Why is there a discrepancy between the reported number of Grand Cru sites in Vallee de la Marne/Montagne de Reims?
Tours-sur-Marne is part of the the Vallee de lar Marne by CIVC administratively, but some producers consider themselves as part of the Montagne de Reims geographically.
What are the historic varietals of Champagne and what were the wines crafted from them called?
Gouais (Blanc and Noir)
- Gouais Noir = vins de la montagne
Fromenteau
- vins de la riviere
What are the three main varietals and what are the minor varietals planted in Champagne?
Main varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier
Additional varietals (<0.3% of plantings): Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier, Arbane
What does Chardonnay contribute to the wines of Champagne?
Notes of apple and citrus. High alcohol and high acidity
What does Pinot Noir contribute to the wines of Champagne?
Notes of strawberry and cherry. Least amount of acidity and moderate alcohol
What does Meunier contribute to the wines of Champagne?
Notes of bright red fruit, earthiness, and rye bread. Moderate acidity and the least amount of alcohol
What are the approved vine training methods and where are they used?
- Guyot
- Cordon
- Chablis
- Vallee de la Marne
All 1er and Grand Cru vineyards must use either 2 or 3
4 is exclusively used for Meunier
What is the preferred rootstock of Champagne and why is it preferred?
41B; affinity for chalky soils
Describe the characteristics of the clones preferred in Champagne.
- High acid berries
- Resistant to grey rot and botrytis
- Bigger berries (Pinot Noir)
- Later bud break (Meunier)
Describe how global warming has impacted viticulture in Champagne.
- Inc average temp of ~2deg F shifted flowering and harvest by 10-14 days –> increased frost risk
- More reliable ripening of red varietals –> more red Coteaux Champenois bottlings
- Inc in organic and biodynamic farming practices
Describe how global warming has impacted winemaking practices in Champagne.
- Less chaptalization
- Inc alcohol, dec acidity –> rethinking use of malolactic conversion
- Dec acidity –> dec dosage level
What is vintage champagne?
Crafted from fruit grown during the stated vintage (with exception of liqueur de dosage). Requires at least 12 months on its lees and a minimum of 3 years in the cellar between tirage to release
What is non-vintage champagne?
Crafted from fruit grown from multiple vintages in an effort to maintain a consistent “house style”. Requires a minimum of 12 months of its lees and a minimum of 3 months in the cellar before release.
NV Brut makes up the majority of champagne exports by volume.
What are Grand Cru and Premier Cru champagnes?
Champagnes that are made entirely with fruit sourced from either Grand Cru or 1er cru sites
What is the difference between Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs champagnes?
Blanc de Blancs: made from authorized white grapes (primarily Chardonnay)
Blanc de Noirs: made from authorized black grapes. Typically has some tannin, more overt and expressive aromas, and a more powerful/fruity palate
How is rose champagne made?
Typically 8-20% top quality red wine (Pinot Noir) is added to the base wine which gives the wine a stronger tannic grip. Some houses produce rose de saignee.
What is a prestige cuvee?
A champagne house’s highest quality bottlings. Examples include: Veuve Clicquot’s “La Grande Dame”, Louis Roderer’s “Cristal”, and Moet & Chandon’s “Dom Perignon”
What is Late-Disgorged champagne?
Extended time on the less before disgorgement which results in a youthful wine despite the time spent in the cellar
Provide an example of a single-vineyard and a single-cru champagne.
Single-vineyard champagne: Philipponnat’s Clos des Goisses
Single-cru champagne: Salon’s Cuvee “S” Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs
What is a Special Club champagne?
Prestige Cuvees that are made entirely by a producer’s own grapes and on their own premises. These wines must pass a double blind tasting by the Club Tresors de Champagne
What are solera or perpetual reserve champagnes?
Created from a single stainless steel tank or oak foudre that is kept perpetually. Portions may be put into bottle to undergo prise de mousse while the remainder is kept in the perpetual reserve
What are the three AOCs in Champagne?
Rose des Riceys, Coteaux Champenois, Champagne
Describe a wine from the Rose des Riceys AOC
A rose wine crafted from Pinot Noir grapes grown in the 3 villages in Les Riceys in the Aube
Describe the wines from the Coteaux Champenois AOC
Still white, red, or rose wines produced from any of the authorized white and black varietals with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier being the primary varietals. Most wines are NV and white
Describe the wines from the Champagne AOC
Sparkling red, white, and rose wines
Define the label term “NM”
Negociant-Manipulant
Producer that uses grapes purchased from other growers in the vinification process
Define the label term “RM”
Recoltant-Manipulant
Producer that only uses estate-grown grapes in the vinification process
Define the label term “RC”
Recoltant-Cooperateur
Refers to a grape grower affiliated with a winemaking co-operative cellar. The co-operative vinifies the grapes from the grower who will later take the final wine to sell under their own private label
Define the label term “SR”
Societe de Recoltants
Refers to a group of grape growers who jointly vinify and sell one or several communal brands
Define the label term “CM”
Cooperative de Manipulation
Refers to a co-operative cellar that vinifies the grapes of its member growers
Define the label term “MA”
Marque Auxiliaire, marque d’Acheteur, Marque Autorisee
Refers to a private label for wine registered by any individual, group, or society (restaurant, wine store, supermarket, etc) with the purpose of selling to their customers or members
Define the label term “ND”
Negociant Distributeur
Refers to a wine buyer who purchases finished wines and sell them under their own private label via various channels
