Champagne Flashcards
1
Q
Where is Champagne located in France?
A
Northern central France, 145km northeast of Paris
2
Q
What is the average annual production of bottles in champagne?
A
300 million
3
Q
What percentage of France’s wine revenue comes from champagne?
A
20%
4
Q
What percentage of French vineyard land does Champagne make up?
A
4%
5
Q
Roughly how many landowners are there within Champagne AOC?
A
36000
6
Q
When were Champagne’s borders last changed?
A
1951
7
Q
How many departments are there in Champagne and what percentage of Champagne’s vines are in each?
A
5 departments:
Marne (66%)
Aube (23%)
Aisne (10%)
Haut-Marne (0.002%)
Seine-et-Marne (1%)
8
Q
What are the 3 zones within the Champagne appellation?
A
Zone de l’elaboration
Zone de production
Zone parcellaire de production de raisins
9
Q
What is the zone de l’elaboration in Champagne AOC?
A
The zone marks the outer limits of the region. In this zone it is legal to vinify Champagne and transport Champagne grapes, juice, and wine. The majority of the zone cannot be planted with vines
10
Q
How many communes lay within Champagne’s zone de l’elaboration?
A
637 communes
11
Q
What is the zone de production in Champagne?
A
Second largest zone within the zone de l’elaboration. This zone consists of entire villages in which vines may be cultivated
12
Q
How many communes compose the zone de production in Champagne?
A
319 communes
13
Q
What is the zone parcellaire de production de raisins in champagne?
A
This is the area for delimited viticultural parcels and represents roughly 35000ha
14
Q
How many communes make up the zone parcellaire de production de raisins in champagne?
A
319 communes
15
Q
What is the dominating soil of Champagne?
A
Chalk
16
Q
What are the 2 types of chalk soils in Champagne?
A
Belemnite chalk
Micraster chalk
17
Q
What is belemnite chalk?
A
Chalk derived from the fossilised remains of cephalopods, which are marine animals such as octopus, squid and cuttlefish, and help retain heat and provide good drainage for vines
18
Q
What is micraster chalk?
A
Chalk composed of fossil material from an extinct genus of sea urchin and is found more so in the flatter valley vineyards
19
Q
What is the topsoil covering most of the chalk in Champagne?
A
Clay and sand
20
Q
Which soil dominates the Aube?
A
Clay
21
Q
On average how much of Champagne’s vineyards are lost every year due to frost or hail?
A
5%
22
Q
How do diurnal shifts help the grapes of Champagne?
A
Diurnal shifts for Champagne mean lower temperatures during the night, which leads to the slowing of ripening of Champagne grapes and the retention of acidity which is necessary in sparkling wines
23
Q
When did Champagne have its first August harvest?
A
2003
24
Q
What are the permitted grapes of Champagne?
A
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Meunier
Petit Meslier
Arbane
Fromenteau
Pinot Blanc
25
What are the parent grapes of Chardonnay?
Gouais Blanc and Pinot Noir
26
What are the parent grapes of Petit Meslier?
Gouais Blanc and Savagnin Blanc
27
Which family of grape varieties are cousins of Gouais Blanc?
Pinot varieties
28
Who initiated the clonal research programme in champagne in the 1960s?
Comite interprofessionnel du vine de Champagne (CIVC)
29
What percentage of Champagne’s vineyards are planted with Chardonnay?
30%
30
Which Champagne subregion is the classic area for Chardonnay?
Cote de Blancs
31
Which village in the Côte de Blancs is known for producing intensely floral Chardonnay?
Cramant
32
Which village in the Côte de Blancs is known for producing intensely minerally Chardonnay?
Le Mesnil
33
Which subregion of Champagne has the second most Chardonnay plantings?
Montagne de Reims
34
Which 2 villages of the Montagne de Reims produce the best Chardonnay?
Trepail and Villers-Marmery
35
What style of Chardonnay does the Montagne de Reims generally produce?
Mineral driven wines with less chalkiness and more fruit, body, and structure
36
How many Chardonnay clones are permitted in Champagne?
31
37
What percentage of Champagne’s vineyards is made up by Pinot Noir?
38%
38
What aromas and structure does Pinot Noir give to a classic Champagne?
More body and structure and mineral driven notes, though with some oxidation
39
How many clones of Pinot Noir are permitted in Champagne?
43
40
What percentage of Champagne’s vineyards are planted with Meunier?
31%
41
Which grape did Meunier mutate from?
Pinot Noir
42
What role does Meunier play in a Champagne blend?
Gives the wines lots of fruity characteristics
43
Where does Meunier dominate plantings?
Marne Valley
44
How many Meunier clones are permitted in Champagne?
14
45
What percentage of Champagnes plantings are made up by Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier?
99.7%
46
When was Arbanne first mentioned in Champagne and in what village?
14th century in Les Riceys
47
Name 3 villages which grow Arbanne
Bligny
Buxeuil
Chamery
Charly-sur-Marne
Chavot-Courcourt
Jouy-les-Reims
Les Riceys
Oeuilly
Urville
Venteuil
48
Name 3 growers who cultivate Arbanne in Champagne
Aubry
Chateau de Bligny
Drappier
Jean-Francois Launay
Laherte Freres
Leguillette-Romelot
Moutard
Olivier Horiot
Perseval-Fargo
Tarlant
Thomas Perseval
49
Name 2 Champagne Cuvées made of 100% Arbanne
Arbane Pure by Olivier Horiot
Cepage Arbanne by Moutard
50
What is a synonym for Fromenteau in champagne?
Pinot Gris
51
In which department is Fromenteau mostly found in Champagne?
Aube
52
Name 3 villages which grow Fromenteau in Champagne
Chamery
Chavignol-Courcourt
Crouttes-sur-Marne
Jouy-les-Reims
Les Riceys
Urville
Verzy
53
Name 3 growers who cultivate Fromenteau in Champagne
Aubry
Derot-Delugny
Drappier
Laherte-Freres
Mouzon-Leroux
Olivier Horiot
Perseval-Farge
54
Name 2 Fromenteau Cuvées from Champagne
Cuvée des Fondateurs by Derot-Delugny
Trop M’en Faut by Drappier
55
Which department is the traditional home of Petit Meslier in Champagne?
Aube
56
Which Champagne family revived Petit Meslier?
Chiquet family, owners of Jacquesson
57
Name 3 Champagne villages which grow Petit Meslier
Bligny
Buxeuil
Chamery
Charly-sur-Marne
Chavot-Courcourt
Gye-sur-Seine
Jouy-les-Reims
Les Riceys
Oeuilly
Urville
Venteuile
58
Name 3 growers who cultivate Petit Meslier
Aubry
Chateau de Bligny
Drappier
Duval-Leroy
Jacquesson
Jean-Francois Launay
Laherte-Freres
Leguillette-Romelot
Mignon-Boulard
Moutard
Olivier Horiot
Perseval-Fargo
Robert Barbichon
Tarlant
Thomas Perseval
59
Name 2 Petit Meslier Cuvées in Champagne
Duval-Leroy Petit Meslier
Laherte Freres Petit Meslier
60
Which Champagne region is Pinot Blanc concentrated in?
Cotes de Blancs
61
Name 3 villages producing Pinot Blanc in Champagne
Bligny
Buxeuil
Celles-sur-Ource
Charly-sur-Marne
Chavot-Courcourt
Landreville
Les Riceys
Oeuilly
Polisot
Urville
62
Name 3 growers who cultivate Pinot Blanc in Champagne
Cedric Bouchard
Chateau de Bligny
Drappier
Francois Gautherot
Laherte Freres
Leguillette-Romelot
Moutard
Olivier Horiot
Piollot
Tarlant
Thomas Perseval
63
Name 3 Pinot Blanc Cuvées from Champagne
Colas robin by Piollot
Cuvée des Lys by Phillipe Fontaine
Cuvée Heritage by Emmanuel Tassin
Le Champ du Clos by Charles Dufour
L’Originale by Pierre Gerbais
Pinot Blanc Extra Brut by Chassenay d’Arce
Roses de Jeanne la Boloree by Cedric Bouchard
64
Name the exceptional Champagne vintages
2002
2008
2012
2013
65
Name some very good Champagne vintages (not excellent)
2000
2004
2006
2009
2014
2015
2016
2018
66
What are the worst Champagne vintages
2001
2010
2011
2017
2020
2021
2023
67
How many districts are there in Champagne?
8
68
What are the 8 districts of Champagne?
Montagne de Reims
Côte de Blancs
Marne Valley
Côte de Bar
Coteaux de Morin
Côte de Sezanne
Vitryat
Montgueux
69
Where is the Montagne de Reims located?
Northeast Champagne. It curves around the west of Reims and south in an s shape until Ay
70
What are the sub districts of the Montagne de Reims?
Grand Montagne
Massif de Saint-Thierry
Monts de Berru
Andre Valley
Vesle Valley
City of Reims
71
How many villages are in the Grand Montagne?
21
72
Where is the Grand Montagne?
The southern curve of the Montagne de Reims
73
What is the dominant grape of the Grande Montagne?
Pinot Noir
74
How many Grand Cru villages does the Grande Montagne have?
10
75
What are the 10 Grand Cru villages of the Grande Montagne?
Ambonnay
Beaumont-sur-Vesle
Bouzy
Louvois
Mailly-Champagne
Pruisieulx
Sillery
Tours-sur-Marne
Verzenay
Verzy
76
How many 1er Cru Villages are in the Grande Montagne?
12
77
What are the 3 micro-zones of the Grande Montagne?
Northern Montagne
Eastern Montagne
Southern Montagne
78
What are the aspects of the slopes of the Northern Montagne and why is this ideal?
Northern aspect. This is because northern Montagne has a thermal blanket as cooler air slips down the slopes below, so the vines on the hill stay warm overnight
79
Which villages mark the start and end of the Northern Montagne?
Villers-Allerand and Verzenay
80
Which village signals the change from Northern Montagne to Eastern Montagne?
Verzy
81
Which grapes dominates the micro zone of the Eastern Montagne?
Chardonnay
82
Which vine-training systems are found in the Eastern Montagne?
Cordon de Royat and Chablisean bush-like style
83
Which villages are in the centre of the Southern Montagne?
Bouzy and Ambonnay
84
What is the aspect of the Southern Montagne?
South facing
85
What is the topsoil of the Grande Montagne?
Loess drift derived from sandy and clayey lignite
86
What is the subsoil of the Grande Montagne?
Chalk
87
What are the soils of Moulin de Verzenay?
Sandy limestone
88
What is the soil of the highest outcrops in the Grande Montagne?
Marlstone
89
How many villages in the Massif de Saint-Thierry?
17
90
What are the soils of the Massif de Saint Thierry?
Yellowish and greenish-white calcareous sand with limestone
91
What is the most famous
92
How many villages are in Monts de Berru?
5
93
Where is Monts de Berru located?
Just east of Reims
94
What are the soils of Monts de Berru?
chalk
95
Which villages in Monts de Berru are completely owned by Moet & Chandon?
Pontfaverger
Selles
96
How many villages make up the subdistricts of the Ardre Valley, Vesle Valley, and City of Reims?
51 villages
97
What is the dominant grape of the Ardre Valley?
Meunier
98
Which vineyards are considered to be the best in the Ardre Valley?
The south facing vineyards in Courmas in the Petite Montagne
99
How many hectares are within the City of Reims subdistrict?
54ha
100
Which Champagne house owns 22ha out of the 54ha in the City of Reims?
Pommery
101
Which grape generally performs best across the Marne Valley?
Meunier
102
What is the topsoil of the Marne Valley?
A colluvial mix of mark, lignite, sandy loam, and clay
103
What are the 6 subdistricts of the Marne Valley?
Grande Vallee
Region d'Epernay
Terroir de Conde
Western Marne Valley
Right Bank
Left Bank
104
How many villages are in the Grand Vallee?
12
105
Which Grand Cru lies within the Grand Vallee of the Marne Valley?
Ay-Champagne
106
How many 1er Crus are in the Grand Vallee and which is the most famous one?
8 premier crus
Mareuil-sur-Ay
107
Which first ever single vineyard Champagne came from Mareuil-sur-Ay?
Philliponnat's Clos de Goisses
108
How many villages are in the Region d'Epernay?
11
109
What is the most famous vineyard in the Region d'Epernay and who owns it?
Chateau de la Marquetterie in Pierry, owned by Taittinger
110
How many villages are in the Terroir de Conde?
4
111
How many villages are in the Western Marne Valley?
38 villages
112
Which grapes dominates the Western Marne Valley?
Meunier
113
What are the soils of the Western Marne Valley?
Calcareous clay and sand
114
How many villages are in the Right Bank of the Marne Valley?
24 villages
115
What are the soils of the Right Bank of the Marne Valley?
Chalk with sand, marl, and clay
116
How many villages are in the Left Bank of the Marne Valley?
15 villages
117
What are the soils of the Left Bank of the Marne Valley?
Similar to the Right Bank with a higher proportion of chalk
118
What is the important tributary of the Marne River in the Left Bank of the Marne Valley?
Surmelin River
119
Why is the Surmelin River tributary important?
Produces some of the best Meunier in Champagne
120
What are the key villages of the Left Bank of the Marne Valley?
Celles-les-Conde
Connigis
Le Breuil
121
How many villages are in the Cotes de Blanc?
10
122
What is the dominant grape of the Cotes de Blanc?
Chardonnay
123
How many Grand Crus are in the Cotes de Blanc?
6
124
What are the 6 Grand Crus of the Cotes de Blanc?
Avize
Chouilly
Cramant
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Oger
Oiry
125
Which 2 Grand Crus are in the north of the Cotes de Blanc and what style of Chardonnay to they produce?
Cramant and Avize, producing the most floral Chardonnays
126
Which 2 Grand Crus are in the middle of the Cotes de Blanc and what style of Chardonnay to they produce?
Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, producing Chardonnay with the greatest minerality and longevity
127
How many 1er Crus are in the Cotes de Blanc?
4
128
What are the soils of the Cotes de Blanc?
Belemnite Chalk subsoil with a sandy-clay topsoil
129
How many villages are in the Cote de Sezanne?
12
130
What is the dominant grape of the Cote de Sezanne?
Chardonnay
131
What style of Chardonnay does the Cote de Sezanne produce?
Extremely aromatic with lush tropical fruit
132
What are the soils of the Cote de Sezanne?
Subsoil of micraster and belemnite chalk with topsoils of marl, clay, and sand
133
How many villages are in the Coteaux du Morin?
20
134
How many 1er Crus are in the Coteaux de Morin?
2
135
How many villages are in Vitryat?
15 villages
136
What is the dominant grape of Vitryat?
Chardonnay
137
What is the soil of Vitryat?
Almost pure chalk
138
How many villages are in Montgueux?
1
139
What is the dominant grape of Montgueux?
Chardonnay
140
How many villages are in the Cotes de Bar?
64
141
What is the dominant grape of the Cotes de Bar?
Pinot Noir
142
What are the soils of the Cotes de Bar?
Subsoil of Kimmeridgian limestone strata with topsoils of gravelly limestone scree
143
What are the 2 subdistricts of the Cotes de Bar?
Bar-sur-Aube
Bar-sur-Seine
144
How many villages are in the Bar-sur-Aube?
31
145
Which village is the heart of winemaking in the Bar-sur-Aube?
Urville
146
How many villages are part of the Bar-sur-Seine?
33
147
Which large cooperative is based in the Bar-sur-Seine?
Union des cooperatives auboises de vine de Champagne (UCAVIC)
148
Which appellation is encompassed within the Bar-sur-Seine?
Rose des Riceys
149
What wines can be made under the Rose de Riceys appellation?
Dark-coloured still rose wines made exclusively from Pinot Noir
150
What was the Echelle des Crus system in Champagne?
A system created in the 18th century to formalise the price of grapes for negocients based on the quality of the village
151
Under the Echelle des Crus system, what percentage of the price set by the negocients/houses was awarded to grand cru sites?
100%
152
Under the Echelle des Crus system, what percentage of the price set by the negocients/houses was awarded to premier cru sites?
90-99%
153
When did the Champenois top using the Echelle des Crus system
1990
154
When was the Echelle des Crus system officially abolished?
2010
155
What impact of the Echelle des Crus is still prominent in Champagne today?
The villages granted Grand Cru and 1er Cru status under the Echelle des Crus keep their status
156
How many Grand Crus does Champagne have?
17
157
How many 1er Crus does Champagne have?
42
158
What is the CIVC?
Comte Interprofessionel du Vin de Champagne
Governing body of Champagne
159
When was the CIVC formed?
1941
160
Who makes up the CIVC?
Growers, producers, cooperatives, and government representatives
161
What does the CIVC registration code CM mean?
Cooperative de Manipulant
Champagne made by a cooperative
162
What does the CIVC registration code NM mean?
Negocient Manipulant
Wine sold under the name of the house who produced it
163
What does the CIVC registration code RM mean?
Recoltant Manipulant
Produced by a grower from their own grapes
164
What does the CIVC registration code RC mean?
Recoltant Cooperateur
Grower selling Champagne made from their own grapes but produced by a cooperative
165
What does the CIVC registration code MA mean?
Marque d'Archeteur
Champagne bought from a producer and sold under another name. For example, a supermarket chain
166
What does the CIVC registration code SR mean?
Societe de Recoltant
Champagne sold under the name of a company created by growers from the same family
167
What does the CIVC registration code ND mean?
Negocient Distributeur
A company that buys Champagne, red-brands it, and re-distributes it
168
What is another name for fully sparkling Chhampagne?
Grand Mousseux
169
How many atmospheres of pressure is fully sparkling Champagne?
5-6 atmospheres
170
In the old Champagne regulations how many atmospheres of pressure was Cremant?
3.6 atmospheres
171
What percentage of Champagne is non-vintage?
80%
172
When may nonvintage Champagne be bottled?
Not before the 1st January the year after harvest
173
What is the minimum amount of time non-vintage Champagne must be stored for before release?
15 months
174
What is the minimum amount of time non-vintage Champagne must spend on the lees?
12 months
175
Is multivintage a regulated bottling term under the Champagne AOC?
no
176
What is the concept of multi-vintage wines?
A blend of 2 or more years that have been declared as a vintage by the producer
177
What percentage of the years harvest may be made into a vintage Champagne and why?
80%
20% must be held back for reserve stock to be blended in future cuvees
178
On average, what percentage of Champagne is released as vintage annually?
2%
179
Why is vintage Champagne more complex and age worthy than non-vintage Champagne?
Vintage Champagne is made solely from the base wine of the most recent harvest. Fresh base wines contain more proteins which enhance the autolytic process, increasing complexity and longevity
180
What is the minimum amount of time Vintage Champagne must be stored for?
36 months
181
Which Champagne house produced the first ever Prestige Cuvee and when?
Louis Roederer produced Cristal in 1876 for Tsar Alexander 2nd
182
What was the first commercially available prestige cuvee and what year was it released?
Dom Perignon in 1936
183
Who came up with the concept of a prestige cuvee for Champagne?
English journalist Laurence Venn
184
When was Billecart Salmon established?
1818
185
Where is Billecart Salmon located?
Ay
186
Who produces Cuvee Elisabeth Salmon Rose and when was the first vintage?
Billecart Salmon
1988
187
Who produces Clos Saint Hilaire and when was the first vintage?
Billecart-Salmon
1995
188
Who produces Cuvee Nicolas Francois and when was the first vintage?
Billecart-Salmon
1955
189
When was Bollinger established?
1829
190
Where is Bollinger located?
Ay
191
When was the first vintage of Bollinger's RD?
1952
192
When was the first vintage of Bollinger's Grand Annee?
1829
193
When was the first vintage of Bollinger's Vielles Vignes Francaises?
1969
194
When was Bruno Paillard established?
1981
195
Who produces the prestige cuvée N.P.U and when was the first vintage?
Bruno Paillard
1990
196
Where is Drappier located?
Urville
197
When was Drappier established?
1808
198
Who produces the Prestige Cuvée Grand Sendree and when was the first vintage?
Drappier in 1975
199
When was Charles Heidsieck established?
1851
200
Where is Charles Heidsieck located?
Reims
201
Who produces the prestige cuvée Champagne Charlie and when was the first vintages?
Charles Heidsieck in 1979
202
Who produces the prestige cuvée Blanc de Millenaires and when was the first vintage?
Charles Heidsieck in 1983
203
Where is Duvay-Leroy located?
Blanc-Coteaux
204
When was Duval-Leroy established?
1859
205
Who produces the prestige cuvée Femme de Champagne and when was the first vintage?
Duval-Leroy in 1990
206
Where is Gosset located?
Ay
207
When was Gosset first established?
1584
208
Who produces the prestige cuvée Celebris and when was the first vintage?
Gosset in 1988
209
Where is Henriot located?
Reims
210
When was Henriot established?
1808
211
Who produces the prestige cuvée Hermera and when was the first vintage?
Henriot in 2005
212
Where is Champagne Jacquart located?
Reims
213
When was Champagne Jacquart established?
1964
214
Who produces the prestige cuvée Cuvée Alpha and when was the first vintage?
2005
215
Where is Krug located?
Reims
216
When was Krug established?
1843
217
When was the first vintage of Krug?
1843
218
What style of Champagne is Krug Clos de Mesnil and when was the first vintage?
Blanc de blancs in 1979
219
What style of Champagne is Krug Clos d’Ambonnay and when was the first vintage?
Blanc de noirs in 1995
220
Where is Laurent-Perrier located?
Tours-sur-Marne
221
When was Laurent Perrier established?
1812
222
Who produces the prestige cuvée Grande Siecle and when was it first released?
1959
223
Who produces the prestige cuvée Rose Alexandra and when was it first released?
Laurent Perrier in 1987
224
Where is Louis Roederer located?
Reims
225
When was Louis Roederer established?
1776
226
Who produces the prestige cuvée Cristal and when was the first vintage? When was the first vintage of the Cristal Rose?
Louis Roederer in 1945 (first commercial release) and 1974 for the rose
227
What is the famous sweet Champagne made by Louis Roederer?
Carte Blanche
228
When was Dom Pérignon established?
1921
229
Where is Dom Perignon located?
Epernay
230
Who owns Dom Perignon?
Moet & Chandon
231
When was the first vintage of Dom Perignon and Dom Perignon Rose?
1921 and 1962
232
Where is G.H. Mumm located?
Reims
233
When was G.H. Mumm established?
1827
234
Who produces the prestige cuvée Cuvée R Lalou and when was the first vintage?
G.H. Mumm in 1969
235
Where is Perrier-Jouet located?
Epernay
236
When was Perrier Joubert established?
1811
237
Who produces the prestige cuvée Belle Epoque (and the rose) and when were the first vintages?
Perrier Jouet in 1964 and 1976 for the rose
238
Where is Philiponnat located?
Mareuil-sur-Ay
239
When was Philiponnat established?
1910
240
Who produces the prestige cuvée Clos de Goisses and when was the first vintage?
Philipponnat in 1935
241
Who produces the prestige cuvée Clos de Goisses Juste Rose and when was the first vintage?
Philipponnat in 1999
242
What is the Les Cintres Cuvée from Philipponnat and when was it first released?
It’s a single plot of the oldest Pinot Noir vines within the famous Clos des Goisses vineyard. It was first released in 2006
243
What is the famous Clos de Goisses L.V. Cuvée produced by Philipponnat and what vintage was it made?
It’s a cuvée made from the Clos de Goisses vineyard in 1995 and aged on the lees for 25 years. Only a few hundred bottles were produced
244
When was Pol Roger established?
1849
245
Where is Pol Roger located?
Epernay
246
Who produces the prestige cuvée Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill and when was the first vintage?
Pol Roger in 1975
247
When was Pommery established?
1836
248
Where is Pommery located?
Reims
249
Who produces the prestige cuvée Cuvée Louis and what was the first vintage?
Pommery in 1979
250
When was Ruinart established?
1729
251
Where is Ruinart located?
Reims
252
When was the first vintage of the prestige cuvees Dom Ruinart and Dom Ruinart Rose?
1959
1966
253
When was Salon established?
1905
254
Where is Salon located?
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
255
When was the first vintage of Salon?
1905
256
When was Taittinger established?
1734
257
Where is Taittinger located?
Reims
258
Who produces the prestige cuvee Comtes de Champagne and when was the first vintage?
Taittinger
1952
259
When was Veuve Cliquot established?
1772
260
Where is Veuve Cliquot located?
Reims
261
Who produces the prestige cuvee La Grande Dame and La Grande Dame Rose and when was the first commercial vintages of both?
1966
1988 (rose)
262
When was Champagne Vilmart established?
1890
263
Who produces the prestige cuvee of Coeur de Cuvee and when was the first vintage?
Vilmart & Cie in 1989
264
When was Egly-Ouriet established?
1930
265
Where is Egly-Ouriet located?
Ambonnay
266
What is the flagship cuvee of Egly-Ouriet?
Blanc de Noir Vieilles Vignes Brut Grand Cru Ambonnay
267
When was Jacques Selosse established?
1950s
268
Where is Jacques Selosse located?
Avize
269
What is the flagship cuvée of Jacques Selosse and when was the wine first produced?
Substance Solera Blanc de Blanc
1986
270
When was Pierre Peters established?
1919
271
Where is Pierre Peters located?
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
272
What is the famous single vineyard cuvée of Pierre Peters and when was the first vintage?
Cuvée Speciale Les Chetillons Blanc de Blancs in 1971
273
When was Jacquesson established?
1798
274
Where is Jacquesson located?
Dizy
275
Who produces the Champagne cuvée Corne Bautray and when was the first vintage?
Jacquesson in 1995
276
Who produces the Champagne cuvée Vauzelle Terme and when was the first vintage?
Jacquesson in 1996
277
Who produces the Champagne cuvée Champs Cain and when was the first vintage?
Jacquesson in 1989
278
When was Champagne Deutz established?
1838
279
Where is Champagne Deutz located?
Ay
280
Who produces the prestige cuvées Cuvée William Deutz and when was the first vintage?
Deutz in 1959
281
What is the Club Tresors de Champagne and when was it first established?
A collection of growers marketing wines together to compete with negocients
Established in 1971
282
How many growers were originally part of the Special Club in Champagne?
12
283
How many growers are currently part of the Special Club in Champagne?
25
284
Which 3 of the original Special Club Champagne producers are still part of the club today?
Pierre Gimonnet
Gaston Chiquet
Paul Bara
285
What was the first commercialised single vineyard Champagne and what decade was it released?
Clos du Chapitre sold by Amedee Tarin in the 1860s
286
Who purchased the famous Clos du Mesnil vineyard in 1972?
Krug
287
What grapes are allowed in a Champagne Blanc de Blancs?
Chardonnay
Arbanne
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Petit Meslier
288
Which subregion is best known for producing high quality Blanc de Blancs?
Cotes de Blancs
Particularly the villages between Cremant and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
289
Which villages produces the top Blanc de Blancs of the Montagne de Reims?
Trepail and Villers-Marmey
290
Which grapes are permitted in a Champagne Blanc de Noirs?
Pinot Noir and Meunier
291
What are the 2 most famous Blanc de Noirs of Champagne?
Bollinger’s Vielles Vignes Francaises
Krug’s Clos d’Ambonnay
292
What was the first known Champagne Rose to be produced and when?
Ruinart’s Oeil de Perdrix Mousseux in 1764
293
Which Champagne producer was the first to make a rose by the addition of red wine instead of macerating the wine in the skins?
Veuve Cliquot
294
Before the 1990s, what was the most common way of making Rose Champagne?
By buying cheap red wine internally from the Coteaux Champenois and adding it to the base wines
295
Is Louis Roederer’s Cristal Rose dominated by Pinot Noir or Chardonnay?
Pinot Noir
296
Which grape dominates Dom Ruinart’s Rose?
Chardonnay (basically a Blanc de Blancs with some red wine added)
297
What is the Saignee method in Champagne?
Saignee means to bleed. Saignee Rose wines are coloured by the free run juice that naturally bleeds from the black grapes before and when they’re pressed
298
Describe the process Louis Roederer uses to make Cristal Rose
It’s a hybrid maceration process. Pinot Noir grapes are cold soaked in Chardonnay juice for a week without being crushed and without fermentation. The coloured Chardonnay is drained off, the Pinot Noir is pressed, and the juices are combined. Some Chardonnay is then added to balance the Pinot Noir’s acidic and stabilise the colour
299
Why should Rose Champagne be bottled at a deeper colour than desired?
Colour pigments form long chains and drop out as sediment during the second fermentation and at disgorgement
300
How is sweetness measured in Champagne?
Residual sugar, quantified by grams per litre (g/l)
301
What is the allowed variation between the actual and stated amounts of residual sugar in Champagne and why?
3g/l because of the margin for error in different measuring equipments used
302
What are the 7 official sweetness categories in Champagne, from least to most sweet?
Brut Nature
Extra Brut
Brut
Extra Sec
Sec
Demi-Sec
Doux
303
What are the residual sugar limits of Brut Nature in Champagne?
0-3g/l residual sugar
304
Name 2 synonyms of Brut Nature in Champagne?
Brut Zero
Brut Sauvage
Ultra Brut
Sans Sucre
305
Why should Brut Nature Champagne be drunk young?
Residual sugar aids in the aging process, therefore without it aging potential is far lower
306
What are the residual sugar limits of Extra Brut in Champagne?
0-6g/l residual sugar
307
What are the residual sugar limits of Brut in Champagne?
0-12g/l
308
What sweetness category is 95% of Champagne released under?
Brut
309
What are the residual sugar limits of Extra Sec in Champagne?
12-17g/l residual sugar
310
What are the residual sugar limits of Sec in Champagne?
17-32g/l residual sugar
311
What are the residual sugar limits of Demi-Sec in Champagne?
32-50g/l residual sugar
312
When is Demi-Sec Champagne most commonly used by houses and growers?
In order to make and dispose of poor quality Champagne vintages
313
Name 3 famous non-vintage Demi-Sec Champagnes
Pol Roger Riche
Selosse Equise
Louis Roederer Carte Blanche
314
Which food best fits Demi-Sec Champagne?
Soft, blue cheese
315
What are the residual sugar limits of Doux in Champagne?
50g/l+ residual sugar
316
What percentage of Champagne’s exports were Doux in style in the 1960s?
60%
317
Which famous producer makes Doux Champagne?
Veuve Cliquot with their Rich and Rich Rose cuvées with 60g/l residual sugar
318
When are Doux Champagnes most commonly used?
In mixology
319
What is the ideal temperature for medium term Champagne storage?
12-15 degrees Celsius
320
What is the ideal temperature for long-term Champagne storage?
9-11 degrees Celsius
321
In Champagne, what is the allowed spacing between vines in the same row?
0.9m-1.5m
322
In Champagne, what is the maximum allowed distance between vines rows?
1.5m
323
What is the average vine density in Champange?
8000 vines per hectare
324
What are the 4 vine training systems permitted in Champagne?
Chablis
Guyot
Cordon
Vallee de la Marne
325
Which 2 vine training systems are permitted for premier and grand cru Champagne?
Chablis and Cordon training
326
Which vine training system is typically used for Chardonnay in the Cotes de Blancs?
Chablis
327
Which vine training system is typically used for Pinot Noir in the Montagne de Reims?
Vallee de la Marne
328
What percentage of Chardonnay in Champagne is trained with the Chablis vine training system?
90%
329
How many buds are allowed to be grown on Chablis trained vines in Champagne for Chardonnay, Meunier, and Petit Meslier?
5 buds, 4 buds for other grapes
330
How is the cordon vine training system trained and pruned?
Spur trained and can pruned
331
How many buds are permitted on cordon trained vines in Champagne?
2
332
How many variants are there of the Valle de la Marne vine training system?
4
333
How are yields determined in Champagne?
2 ways, either:
Kilograms of grapes harvested per hectare (kg/ha)
Or
Hectolitres of juice pressed per kilogram of grapes (hl/kg)
334
What are the maximum average permitted yields of Champagne and when was this law last changed?
15500kg per hectare set in 2007
335
What are the maximum permitted yields for a single parcel in Champagne, regardless of the average permitted yields?
21700kg per hectare
336
What is the maximum annual yield in Champagne?
Comprised of the maximum usable annual yield and maximum reserve. Set annually by the CIVC
337
How does the CIVC adapt the maximum annual yield in small harvests?
They increase the release of the maximum personnel reserve to balance the lack of actual yield for the year
338
What is the maximum personal reserve to be stored in Champagne?
A proportion of a large harvest which is not immediately usable
339
How is the immediate reserve Champagne labelled?
En blocage reserve personelle as its not classified as Champagne AOC
340
Are wines en blocage permitted to be blended in NV cuvées?
No
They are stored for reserve in emergency years if Champagne is hit with a terrible harvest or disaster vintage
341
In what style must the reserve personelle Champagne be stored?
As vin clairs
342
What is deblocage?
A proportion of stored reserves that have been classified as Champagne AOC and authorised to be released to combat a shortfall of a short harvest
343
What is the average yield of Champagne?
Average of all declared yields made at the pressing centres
344
What is the annual ouverture de la vendange?
A report published in Champagne which dictates when the harvest is allowed to begin on a village by village, grape by grape basis
345
What is the average potential alcohol of Champagne grapes when they’re picked?
9.7%
346
What is the average tartaric acid to manic acid ratio in Champagne grapes at harvest?
53% Tartaric and 47% Malic
347
What are the potential alcohol levels for vintage, prestige, and special cuvées in Champagne?
10.5-11% ABV
348
Why does Champagne rarely destem grapes before pressing?
The network of stems and stalks creates canals for the juice to run off and helps avoid colouration of black varieties
349
What was the traditional press used in Champagne in the 17th century?
The Coquard press
350
What is the modern press used in Champagne today?
Pneumatic press
351
Who does the CIVC programme modern presses to replicate the traditional Coquard press?
They created a chip programmed to reenact a Coquard press in modern machines. Designed specifically by the CIVC for Champagne pressing
352
What is the general aim during the pressing of Champagne grapes?
To separate the cuvée from the taille, and to get the cleanest, richest juice with the most sugar, minerals, and vitamins
353
How many kilograms of Champagne grapes could a Coquard press traditionally hold?
4000kg
354
How many litres of juice would be produced from a traditional Coquard in Champagne?
2666 litres (from 4000kg of grapes)
355
What is a Marc in Champagne?
4000kg grape juice. The traditional measurement of a unit of Champagne juice, measured by the weight of the grapes instead of the juice
356
What are the 3 cuvées winemakers get from one Marc of Chamapagne and what are the measurements in litres?
The Cuvée: the first 2050 litres extracted the from press
The Taille: the next 500 litres extracted after the cuvée from the press
The Rebeche: the final 166 litres extracted from the press
357
How do producers avoid decreasing quality if Champagne grapes are wet with rain or contain rot?
They run off the first 50-65 litres of every Marc into the Taille. This means the Taille would include the first 50-65 litres and the 435-450 litres after the cuvée
358
How do some producers create a cuvée commonly referred to the coeur de cuvée?
This means the heart of the cuvée, and is made from the middle 2050 litres extracted from the press
359
What is debourbage in Champagne?
The french term for settling the juice after the pressing
360
How long does debourbage normally last for Champagne?
12-24 hours
361
Are Champagnes usually chaptilised and why?
Yes to achieve the classic structure of Champagne. The average champagne at harvest has 9.7% ABV, and the maximum amount of liqueur de tirage contributes roughly 1.5%, making Champagne 11.2% without chaptilisation. Therefore, 0.8% and 1.3% is added for a finished strength of 12%-12.5% ABV for Champagne
362
What is the role of diacetyl in Champagne and how do producers manipulate this before secondary fermentation?
Diacetyl causes overt buttery aromas often not considered to be classic Champagne
After the first fermentation, base Champagne can be left on the lees which reduces the amount of diacetyl, as the yeast and bacteria break down diacetyl
363
What is the importance of tartrate stability in Champagne?
Tartrate crystals serve as nucleation points for Carbon Dioxide, which leads to gushing upon opening, which isn’t ideal
364
What is a Vin Claire in Champagne?
The product of the first fermentation in Champagne
365
Are reserve wines in Champagne vin clairs?
No
366
Describe the typical structure of a vins clairs in Champagne?
Crude, incomplete and unbalanced
367
When does assemblage normally occur in Champagne?
The first few months after the harvest in Champagne
368
What is the core idea of assemblage in Champagne?
The blending of different wines produced from different sites in Champagne to create a balanced and generous Champagne. In the case of NV Champagne this includes the blending of different vintages
369
What is the purpose of reserve wines in NV Champagne?
Reserve wines add a touch of mellowness and complexity that only comes with age, balancing out the harshness of a young Champagne, making it more agreeable and immediately approachable to the consumer
370
How should older reserve wines be used in NV blends and why?
As gentle seasoning. This is because of the fine lees, which reduces autolysis over time as proteins drop out. Proteins kickstart the autolytic process
371
What is the average amount of reserve Champagne used in NV cuvées?
10-15% from the previous few years
372
Why might Champagne producers use a larger amount of reserve wine in poor years?
To improve what would otherwise be a very weak base Champagne
373
Why might Champagne producers use a larger amount of reserve wine in great years?
Because the base wine might be too distinctive and the NV cuvée should be representative of the house style
374
Why might Champagne producers use a larger amount of reserve wine in particularly hot years?
Hot years lead to earlier harvests and richness in grapes, so some reserve wine from a lighter, recent year might be used to balance this out
375
What are Champagne soleras?
Champagne soleras are just like Sherry soleras, where wines are aged in barrels and the exact same volume of wine is removed and replaced with new wine each year
376
What are Reserve Perpetuelles in Champagne?
Very similar to soleras, but the amount that is inputted every year changes, though an equal amount must be removed than is put in annually
377
When does secondary fermentation normally take place in Champagne?
Between February and May the year following the harvest
378
How is secondary fermentation initiated in Champagne?
Liqueur de Tirage
379
What is another name for the second fermentation initiated Champagne?
Prise de mousse
380
How many years of elevage are common for non-vintage and vintage Champagnes?
3-4 years is common for non-vintage
8-10 years is common for vintage
381
What is the impact of aerobic fermentation during the second fermentation of Champagne?
The oxygen stimulates yeast growth
382
What is the impact of anaerobic fermentation during the second fermentation of Champagne?
Yeast cells break down sugar molecules to alcohol and CO2. The CO2 is dissolved in the wine, causing pressure released in the form of bubbles
383
What are the 3 stages yeast goes through during the second fermentation of Champagne?
Activation
Assimilation
Proliferation
384
How much ethanol and CO2 is converted from one yeast cell and one molecule of sugar?
2 ethanol molecules
2 CO2 molecules
385
What is the rough amount of sugar needed to create 6 atmospheres of pressure in Champagne?
24 grams per litre
386
Why do producers put less sugar in larger format Champagne bottles for second fermentation?
For safety reasons as to not overload the pressure in the bottle
387
Theoretically, how many grams of sucrose are needed to make 1 atmospheres of pressure in Champagne?
3.84 grams
388
What is sucrose?
Beet sugar
389
What is RCGM?
Rectified Concentrated Grape Must
A combination of natural grape sugar, glucose, and fructose
It is also colourless, odourless, tasteless, and neutral in acidity
390
How many distinctly different yeasts are needed for Champagne production?
2
One for the first fermentation, and a different yeast for the second fermentation
391
What unwanted compound are amino acids a precursor to?
Volatile aromatic compounds (Volatile Acidity)
392
Why is the use of the same yeast for the first and second fermentation bad for Champagne?
It leads to an excess of volatile acidity, giving vinegar notes
393
Where do most Champagne houses get the yeast for the second fermentation from?
They culture the yeast in house
394
What do yeast cells need during fermentation?
A guaranteed supply of nutrients
395
What is the difference between inorganic nitrogen and organic nitrogen in the second fermentation of Champagne?
Inorganic nitrogen encourages shorter and faster second fermentation
Organic nitrogen drives a longer, slower, and more complete second fermentation
396
Where can producers find organic nitrogen for secondary fermentation?
Inactive yeast based products
397
What is the traditional fining agent for the liqueur de tirage in Champagne?
A naturally occurring clay called bentonite
398
What are the 4 types of clay bentonite and which 2 are used in Champagne?
Aluminium, Calcium, Potassium, and Sodium
Sodium and Calcium are the 2 used in Champagne
399
What is the benefit of using Calcium bentonite over Sodium bentonite as a fining agent in Champagne?
Calcium bentonite results in better lees compaction and finer bubbles
400
What is Remise en Cercles in Champagne?
Literally means return to hoops. This is when the secondary fermentation is ineffective or when a batch of wine is not going to be commercialised, and so the wine is returned to the vat and reblended
401
What is the volatile sulphur in Champagne making it particularly susceptible to light damage?
Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS)
402
What factors on a Champagne bottle help protect the Champagne inside the bottle?
Thickness of the bottle
Glass colour of the bottle
Hue colour of the bottle
403
Which type of bottle colour is most protective for Champagne?
Dark amber
404
Which Champagne bottle sizes must be sold in the same size that secondary fermentation occurred?
Half bottles
Standard bottles
Magnums
Jeroboams
405
What are the bottle sizes in Champagne and their respective names/litres?
Quarter (split) = 200ml
Half = 375ml (0.5)
Standard = 750ml (1)
Magnum = 1.5L (2)
Jeroboam = 3L (4)
Rehoboam = 4.5L (6)
Methuselah = 6L (8)
Salmanazar = 9L (12)
Balthazar = 12L (16)
Nebuchadnezzar = 15L (20)
406
What is another name for a cork closure used for the second fermentation of Champagne>
Bouchon de tirage
407
How is a temporary cork secured to the Champagne bottle during secondary fermentation?
By a clop called an agrafe
408
What is the benefit and risk of using a natural cork for secondary fermentation in Champagne?
Benefits for long-term aging
Increases the risk of TCA
409
What type of temporary cork closure does Bollinger use for secondary fermentation?
Mytik Diam which reduces the risk of TCA but still ensures consistent development
410
What is another name for the crown cap used in Champagne?
Capsule Couronne
411
When was the crown cap for Champagne invented and patented?
1892
412
What is the difference in material used for Champagne crown caps designed for short-term and mid-tern use?
Short-term crown caps are made of standard steel
Mid-term crown caps are made from 5052 aluminium
413
What material is used for long-term crown caps in Champagne?
AISI 430 which is a type of stainless steel
414
What is the name of the small pot attached to the crown cap during second fermentation in Champagne which collects the sediment during riddling?
Bidule
415
What is autolysis?
The enzymatic breakdown of dead yeast cells releasing certain aromas into wine
416
When does autolysis begin for Champagne?
2-4 months after secondary fermentation
417
When is autolysis most active in Champagne?
4-5 years
418
Why are the potential aromas of autolysis constantly fluctuating?
Yeast decomposes proteins into amino acids which are then consumed and re-created. The changing levels of amino acids reflect changing potentials in autolysis flavours
419
Is there an optimum duration for yeast aging?
No but there are optimum moments for disgorging based on autolysis
420
Name at least 5 compounds created during Autolysis
Aldehydes
Amino acids
Esters
Glucans
Higher Alcohols
Lactones
Norisprenoids
Peptides
Proteins
Polysaccharides
Reducing enzymes
Ribonucelotides
Terpenic Alcohols
421
What do ester compounds provide to Champagne?
Floral and fruity compounds
422
What do glucon compounds provide to Champagne?
Improve bubble foam and stability
423
What do peptide compounds provide to Champagne?
Sweet and bitter properties and thought to improve foam quality and stability
424
What do protein compounds provide to Champagne?
Increase body, roundness, and sweetness
Reduce astringency
Provide tartrate stability and improve foam quality
425
Why are Champagne bottles stored sur-pointe in the long term?
So the sediment collects in the bidule at the cork which also creates an anti-oxidant barrier
426
What process is used to shift Champagne bottles from sur latte to sur pointe?
Riddling
427
What is the official term for riddling?
Remuage
428
Traditionally, how long would riddling take in Champagne?
8 weeks
429
What is the modern way producers enact riddling in Champagne and how long ones it take?
Using a gyropalette it takes 4-5 days
430
What is a pupitre in Champagne?
Literally meaning a desk, its made of wood with concrete casted boards in an A shape and is the traditional method for riddling
431
What is the role of a remuer in Champagne?
The person who moves the bottles by hand and performs 2 operations
432
What are the 2 operations performed by remuers in Champagne?
Oscillating bottles clockwise and counter-clockwise
Nudging bottle slightly upward
433
When was the gyropalette first patented?
1968
434
How many bottles can a gyropalette hold?
504
435
Who was the first major house to adopt the gyropalette?
Piper-Heidsieck
436
What is the new form of riddling thats being experimented with in Champagne?
Ultrasonic riddling
This method which transfers mechanical energy to electric energy and is attached to the bottle, designed to speed up the rate at which sediment slides down the glass
437
What are the 2 disgorgement methods in Champagne?
A la glace
A la volee
438
Describe the a la glace method of disgorgement in Champagne
The bottle neck is immersed in roughly 4cm of a freezing bath causing he deposit in the bidule to become semi frozen
The bottle is turned upright and gently placed in the disgorging line
The closure is removed and the sediment ejected by the pressure in the bottle
439
What is the freezing bath made from for the a la glace disgorgement method in Champagne?
Propylene glycol
440
What type of closures is the a la glace disgorgement method used on in Champagne?
Crown cap closures
441
What type of closures is the a la volee disgorgement method used on in Champagne?
Cork and agrafe
442
How is the a la volee disgorgement method different from a la glace?
A la volee does not use a cold bath to trap the sediment, instead, a skilled degorgeur disgorges the bottles
443
What is the liqueur d’expedition in Champagne?
The final addition of any compounds to stabilise or influence the wine. Most importantly the dosage, which is most importantly used to ensure balance in the final wine
444
What are the 3 most important ingredients in the liqueur d’expedition in Champagne?
Sugar
Base wine
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
445
What are the permitted ingredients in the liqueur d’expedition for Champagne?
Ascorbic acid
Citric acid
Gum Arabic
Sulphur Dioxide
Sugar
Spirit
Sulphiscorbate
446
What is the role of ascorbic acid in the liqueur d’expedition for Champagne?
Antioxidant and used with SO2 for immediate freshness
447
What is the role of citric acid in the liqueur d’expedition for Champagne?
Permitted in small amounts for acidification. Legal maximum is 1g/l
448
What is the role of gum arabic in the liqueur d’expedition for Champagne?
Counteracts bitterness, improves body and stabilises colour pigments
449
What is the role of sulphur dioxide in the liqueur d’expedition for Champagne?
As an antioxidant and to help the Champagne recover from the shock of disgorgement
450
What is the role of sugar in the liqueur d’expedition for Champagne?
To adjust the sweetness of the final wine. Usually soured from beet sugar or RCM
451
What is the role of spirit in the liqueur d’expedition for Champagne?
To increase final alcohol content if needed for sweeter Champagne styles. Rarely used
452
What is the role of sulfiscorbate in the liqueur d’expedition for Champagne?
A mix of sulphur dioxide and ascorbic acid used as an antioxidant
453
What is the impact of acetaldehyde on still wines?
Causes premature oxidation by stripping the freshness in the wines
454
What is the average perception threshold of acetaldehyde?
100-125mg/l
455
What is the average range of acetaldehyde in Champagne?
50-100mg/l
456
What compounds makes acetaldehyde undetectable?
Sulphur dioxide neutralises the aromatic impact of acetaldehyde
457
What is jetting in Champagne?
When a precise amount of sulphited water is injected into the wine, exciting the CO2 on the wines surface
This causes the bubbles to rise, pushing oxygen out of the bottle
The cork is then inserted, compressing the CO2
This process reduces oxygen ingress at disgorgement
458
What is the purpose of the plaque on the Champagne cork?
It moulds the cork into its iconic shape and protects the cork from the wire cage
459
What is the official name of the wire cage which holds down the Champagne cork?
Muselet
460
How much thicker must Champagne corks be than regular corks?
30% thicker
461
What is the purpose of lenticular channels in a Champagne cork, and how are these made?
The purpose is to allow both an ingress of oxygen through the cork and an egress of CO2
They are made by cutting the shafts of regular corks parallel to the bark to ensure lenticals are kept horizontal to the width of the cork, not its length
462
What is the gold standard cork in Champagne?
The Mytik Diam
463
What are the 2 commercial Mytik Diam corks used in Champagne?
Mytik Diam 3
Mytik Diam 5
464
What is the difference between the Mytik Diam 3 and 5 for Champagne?
Mytik 3 has coarser granules allowing for more open permeability
Mytik 5 has thinner granules offering the slowest oxygen ingress
The numbers after the name refer to the aging guarantee for the wines
465
What is the goal of post-disgorgement aging for Champagne?
To mellow the wines
466
What flavour does sulphur dioxide often given, especially in its youth?
Gunpowder aromas
467
With plenty of post-disgorgement age, what’s aromas does sulphur dioxide provide to Champagne?
Toasty aromas and a softer, mellow palate
468
On average, how long does it take sulphur dioxide to provide true toasty aromas to Champagne?
10 years
469
Roughly how many months post-disgorgement does it take for the dosage to settle and integrate into the Champagne?
3-6 months
