Champagne Flashcards
What are the five Departments of Champagne?
- Marne
- Aube
- Aisne
- Haut-Marne
- Seirie-et-Marne
What are the five Districts of Champagne?
- Montagne de Reims
- Valle de la Marne
- Cotes des Blancs
- Cote de Sezanne
- Cotes des Bars [Aube]
What are the two main types of Chalk found in Champagne and explain where are they accumulated
Belemite Chalk - Is found on the upper to mid slope. Which happens to be ideal for optimal sun exposure and moisture retention.
Micraster Chalk - Found where the slopes begin to flatten.
What are the soils type of Vallee de la Marne?
Marl clays and sand of variable aspects.
What is the soil type of Cote des Bars [Aube]?
Kimmridgean Marl - A limestone-rich marl
*Cotes des Bars [Aube] is known as the Wet Champagne as the Kimmridgean Marl is not able to absorb the water from the top soil as well as chalk.
What are the six terms legally used in Champagne to indicate that no method d’expedition was used?
- Brut Nature 2. Non Dose 3. Brut Zero 4. Brut Sauvage 5. Ultra Brut 6. Sans Sucre
What is the Atmosphere pressure range for the following: -Perlant/Frizzantino/Perle/Perlwein/Aguja
- Petillant
- Mousseux
Perlant/Frizzantino/Perle/Perlwein/Aguja: Max 2.5 psi
Petillant/Frizzante/Spritzig: 2.5 - 3.5 psi Mousseux/Spumante/Espumante/Espumoso/Sparkling: 3.5 - 6 psi
What does Sans Annee indicate on a bottle of Champagne?
A term used in Champagne to designate a house entry level Non-Vintage Champagne.
What was the house of Perrier-Jouet previously known as?
The house of Perrier-Jouet was previously known as: Gallice et Cie
Which Village is planted with the most Pinot Noir in the Cote des Blancs?
The village planted with the most Pinot noir in the Cote des Blancs is: Vertus, 1er Cru
Explain why grapes are able to ripen in the Cote des Blancs
The main contributer to the ripening of the grapes in the Cote des Blancs is the Lozenge -Shaped Steep Hill that Stretches 12 Miles from North to South and protects the cultivar from the cold winds and gives the vineyards their south and south east facing slopes for maximum sun exposure.
Explain why grapes are able to ripen on the Montagne de Reims
The Plain beneath the Northern Montagne de Reims is too cold for viticulture, but the higher slopes of the region’s plateau enjoy a pocket of warm air that allows the grapes to ripen.
Describe the difference in style between the Champagnes of the Northern Montagne and the Southern Montage.
The wines from the Northern Montage are more structured, linear, and fresh.
The wines of the Southern Montage have more depth, power, and extract.
Describe the style of Rose Champagne
Rose Champagne generally have a delicate floral, perfumed style that has nothing to gain from laying down other than turning orange.
*It is important to note that in Rose Champagne production, the higher the extraction the less likely it is for the fine toasty notes to surface.
Describe the style of Blanc des Blancs Champagne
Generally the leanest, lightest, and most elegant. Blanc des Blancs have the greates potential for ageability. It can appear austere and lacking in fruit in it’s youth; However, with age they develop a toasty richness with a singular intensity of fruit. A biscuit creaminess with a complex aroma reminiscent of hazelnut and walnut.
Describe the style of Blanc de Noirs Champagne
Fleshy and muscular with an aroma profile of ripe apples, spices, and undergrowth notes.
*With a Blanc de Noirs substance and power make great pairings with mushrooms and even meats.
Describe the style of Champagne from Vallee de la Marne
The Champagnes produced in the Vallee de la Marne are essentially easy drinking, fruity, and forward.
Explain why Meunier is appropriate for the Valle de la Marne
Meunier is a Late-Bud-Break and Early Ripening Varietal. As a result, it avoids the Spring and Fall Frost threats from the unprotected frost prone Vallee de la Marne.
Describe a NM [Negociant-Manipulant] Champagne producer
NM [Negociant-Manipulant is a Producer who may or may not own vineyards and is allowed to buy grapes and wine in volume from growers, Cooperatives, and or members of the Negoce to make Champagne.
Describe a RM [Recoltant-Manipulant] Champagne producer
RM [Recoltant-Manipulant] is a grower who makes and sells Champagne exclusively from their vineyards. Although they are able to also purchase grapes and or wine from the Negoce, they are limited to purchase only 5% of their turn over.
Describea a CM [Cooperative-Manipulant] Champagne producer
CM [Cooperative-Manipulant] is a Cooperative of growers who also make and sell Champagne under their own label.
Describe a RC [Recoltant-Cooperateur] Champagne producer
RC [Recoltant-Cooperateur] is a Grower who sells a Cooperative produced Champagne under their own label
Describe MA [Marque d’Acheteur] Champagne Producer
MA [Marque d’Acheteur] is a Brand name owned by the purchaser, such as a Restaurant, Supermarket, Wine Merchant.
Describe ND [Negociant-Distributeur] Champagne producer
ND [Negociant-Distributeur] is a Company that buys and sells Champagne, but does NOT make Champagne.
Describe SR [Societe de Recoltants] Champagne producer
SR [Societe de Recoltants] is a Firm set up by two or more growers - who share premises to make and market their Champagne under more than one label.
eg: Diebolt-Vallois - In Cramant
In regards to Non-Vintage Champagne production. What is the Mandated minimum percent of currant vintage base wine usage for the cuvee?
15 %
What is the only AOP in France that does not need to include Appellation Controlee on the Label?
Champagne
What are the seven varietals legally allowed in Champagne
Red: 1. Pinot Noir 2. Meunier White: 3. Chardonnay 4. Arbane 5. Pinot Blanc Vrai 6. Pinot Gris 7. Petit Meslier
Explain the main duties of the CIVC
The main duties of the Comite Interprofessional du Vin de Champagne is the regulatory body responsible for:
- Size of harvest
- Authorizes Blocage and deblocage
- Safeguards the protected designation of Champagne
- Mediates the relations between growers and producers.
What is the Echelle de Crus
The Echelle de Crus is a percentile system by which the villages or Crus of the Champagne AOP are rated. Grand Cru: Villages that achieve the maximum Echelle of 100% Premier Cru: Villages that achieve an echelle of 90 - 99 points.
How many Grand Cru Villages are in Champagne?
There are 17 Grand Cru Villages in Champagne
How many 1er Cru Villages are in Champagne?
There are 42 1er Cru Villages in Champagne
What are the Sweetness Levels of Champagne?
Brut Nature/Non Dose: 0-3 g/l Sugar [No added dosage]
Extra Brut: 0-6 g/l
Brut: 0-12 g/l
Extra Dry: 12-17 g/l
Sec: 17-32 g/l
Demi-Sec: 32-50 g/l
Doux: 50+ g/l
1er Cr & Grand Cru Chardonnay are limited to what Two Pruning Methods?
1er and Grand Cru Chardonnay are limited to the Chablis and the Cordona de Royat pruning methods.
Meunier is limited to what what Pruning System?
Vallee de la Marne
What are the Five most important 1er Crus of the Northern Montagne de Reims?
- Villers-Allerand
- Rilly-la-Montagne
- Chigny-les-Roses
- Ludes
- Villers-Marmery
What are the three most important 1er Crus of the Southern Montagne de Reims?
- Billy-le-Grand
- Trépail
- Tauxières [99pts]
What are the nine Grand Cru’s of the Montagne de Reims?
- Sillery
- Pouisieulx
- Beaumont-Sur-Vesle
- Mailly-Champagne
- Verzenay
- Verzy
- Louvois
- Bouzy
- Ambonnay
Name Five Grower Producers of Montagne de Reims
- Egly-Ouriet - Ambonnay
- BenoÎt Lahaye - Bouzy
- Jean Lallement - Verzenay
- Chartogne-Taillet - Merfy
- Vilmart - Rilly-la-Montagne
- David Léclapart - Trépail
- Jérôme Prévost - Petite Montagne
Name Three CM [Cooperative Manipulant] in the Montagne de Reims
- Mailly Grand Cru - Mailly-Champagne
- Jacquart - Reims
- Palmer & Co. - Reims
Name Five NM [Negociant-Manipulant] in the Montagne de Reims
- Krug
- Charles-Heidsieck
- Louis Roederer
- Taittinger
- Veuve-Clicquot
- Henriot
- Lanson
- Ruinart
- Pommery
- Cattier
What is the Échelle de Crus?
The Échelle de Crus is percentile system by which villages/crus of Champagne are rated.
In which only the 100% rated Villages are Grand Cru, 90 to 99% on the Échelle classification are Premiere Cru, and 80-89% are Deuxiemes Crus [NOT allowed to label].
What are the Eight Styles of Champagne?
- Non-Vintage
- Vintage
- Blanc de Blancs
- Blanc de Noirs
- Tête de Cuvée [Prestige Cuvée]
- Mono-Parcel [Single Vineyard]
- Special Club Prestige Cuvée
- Rosé
Explain the Club Trésors
Created in 1971 the Club Trésors was the first association of wine makers in Champagne to advocate an approach to viticulture based on the utmost standards of quality, Exellence, and Teroir.
Name 5 Special Club Producers
- Paul Bara
- Gaston Chiquet
- Pierre Gimonet
- Henri Goutorbe
- Marc Hébrart
- J. Lassalle
- José Michel
- Lamandier
What are the Two Grand Crus of Vallée de la Marne?
- Aÿ
- Tours-Sur-Marne [red grapes only]
What are the Six Most important 1er Cru Villages of the Vallée de la Marne?
- Mareuil-Sur-Marne [99 pts]
- Hautvillers
- Cumières
- Mutigny
- Champillon
- Bisseuil
Name 8 NM [Negociant-Manipulent] of Vallée de la Marne
- Bollinger
- Deutz
- Gosset
- Ayala
- Laurent-Perrier
- Jacquesson
- Billecart-Salmon
- Philipponnat
Name Five RM [Recoltant-Manipulant] of Vallée de la Marne
- Gatinois
- Henri-Goutorbe
- René Geoffroy
- Gaston Chiquet
- Tarlant
Name Two CM [Cooperative-Manipulant] of Vallée de la Marne
- Beaumont des Crayères
- Pannier
Name the Five Grand Crus of Côte de Blancs
- Chouilly
- Cramant
- Avize
- Oger
- Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger
What are the Five Most important 1er Crus of Côte de Blancs
- Oiry
- Pierry
- Cuis
- Villeneuve-Reneville
- Vertus
- Bergères-les-Vertus
Name 7 NM [Negociant-Manipulant] of Côte de Blancs
- Möet & Chandon
- Perrier-Jouët
- Pol Roger
- De Sousa
- Salon
- Delamotte
- Duval Leroy
- Alfred Gratien
Name Six RM [Recoltant-Manipulant] of Côte de Blancs
- Agrapart & Fils.
- Jacques Selosse
- Pierre Péters
- Pierre Gimonet & Fils.
- Laherte Frères
- Guy Larmandier
- Larmandier-Bernier
Name Two CM [Cooperative-Manipulant] of the Côte de Blancs
- Le Mesnil
- Paul Goerg
- Nocolas Feuillatte
Name One CM [Cooperative-Manipulant] of the Côte de Sézanne
- Le Brun de Neuville
Name 5 Producers of the Côte des Bars [Aube]
- Drappier - NM
- Serge Mathieu - RM
- Veuve A Devaux [Union Auboise] - CM
What are the Threee a AOP’s of the Aube?
- Champagne
- Coteaux Champenois
- Rosé des Riceys
The Côte des Bars [Aube] is divided in to what two unofficial subregions?
- Barsuraubois - Northern are on the Aube River.
- Barséquenais - Southern region on the Seine, Orce, and Laignes Rivers.
Name a producer of Rosé des Riceys
Jacques Defrance
Name a producer of Corteaux Champenois
Egly-Ouriet
What are the names for a Quarter Bottle and how many ml does it hold?
There are two other common names for a quarter bottle, Split and piccolo and it holds 187ml.
How many ml in a Half Bottle?
375ml
How many ml in a Magnum?
1.5ml [2 bottles]
How many Liters in a jeroboam?
3 L [4 bottles]
How many Liters in a Rehoboam
4.5 L [6 bottles]
*Discontinued in 1989
How many Liters in a Methuselah
6 Liters [8 bottles]
How many Liters in a Salmanazar?
9 L [12 bottles]
How many Liters in a Balthazar?
12 L [16 bottles]
How many Liters in a Nebuchadnezzar?
15 L [20 bottles]
How many Liters in a Solomon?
18 L [24 bottles]
*18 L is called Melchior in Bordeaux
What are the Two Main Styles of Champagne AOP produced?
Vin Mousseux Blanc
Vin Mousseux Rosé
What is the MINIMUM potencial alcohol for Vin de Clair in Champagne Production?
The minimum potential alcohol for vin clair in Champagne production is 9%.
What is the MAXIMUM Residual Sugar allowed for Vin Clair in Champagne Production?
The Maximum residual sugar allowed for vin clair in Champagne production is 10 grams of sugar per liter.
What is the Earliest date that Tirage is allowed in Champagne Production?
The earliest date that tirage can be done is January 1st of the year following the harvest.
After how many months after Tirage may a wine be disgorged during Champagne Production?
A wine may not be disgorged until 12 month after the date of tirage.
In regards to Vintage Champagne Production, what MAXIMUM Percentage of a year’s harvest may be sold as vintage Champagne?
A MAXIMUM of 80% of the vintage in question may be sold as vintage Champagne.
In regards to Vintage Champagne Production, what is the minimum percent of fruit sourced from the labeled vintage?
Vintage Champagne must be 100% of fruit sourced from the stated vintage.
However, the wine used for the Tirage and dosdage may NOT be from the vintage in question.
What is the Elevage for Non-Vintage Champagne?
The elevage for non vintage Champagne is a MINIMUM of 12 months on the Lees and may NOT be released until 15 months after the date of tirage.
What is the Elevage for Vintage Champagne?
Vintage Champagne may NOT be released until 36 months after the date of tirage.
What is the MINIMUM Must weight for Vin Clair for Champagne Production?
The minimum must weight for Vin Clair for Champagne production is 143 g/l.
What is the MAXIMUM planting Density for Champagne?
The MAXIMUM plantig density is 2.5 m2 per vine.
What is the Rendement de Base for Champagne?
10400 kg/ha
What is the MAXIMUM Press Yield in Champagne Production?
102 L/160 kg
What is the Champagnes de Vignerons?
The Champagnes de Vignerons is an umbrella brand created by the Syndicat General des Vignerons de la Champagne [SGV] to protect the image of grower Champagnes.
The brand represents 5000 growers and grower cooperatives all which share common winemaking philosophy:
- Respect the Vineyard
- Make Champagne that expresses their richly varied terroir.
