Champagne Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Premier and Grand Cru class system know as in Champagne AC?

A

echelle des crus

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2
Q

What is the primary soil type in Champagne?

A

Chalk

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3
Q

Why is chalk important in champagne?

A

Provides good drainage but retains water.

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4
Q

What is the biggest viticultural challenge in Champagne?

A

Frost

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5
Q

What are the 3 main grape varieties used in making Champagne?

A

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier

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6
Q

Which of the 3 grape varieties used in Champagne production produces the greatest?

A

Pinot Noir

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7
Q

What does Meunier give to Champagne?

A

easy to drink fruitiness

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8
Q

Are the majority of grapes used in Champagne white or red?

A

red - 66%

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9
Q

How many liters of juice can be extracted from 160 kilograms of grapes?

A

102

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10
Q

What are the first 82 liters of juice that is extracted known as?

A

Cuvee

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11
Q

What are the last 20 liters of juice that is extracted known as?

A

Taille

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12
Q

Why is pressing done as quickly and gently as possible?

A

To reduce the risk of extracting color and tannins

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13
Q

In what vessel does primary fermentation of the grapes typically take place?

A

stainless steel vats

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14
Q

Describe the acid and alcohol levels of base wine resulting from primary fermentation.

A

high acid, medium alcohol

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15
Q

What is reserve wine and what is its purpose?

A

Base wine that is stored for future use. It is used to in blending to produce wine of consistent quality from one year to the next.

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16
Q

In what vessel does secondary fermentation take place?

A

In bottle.

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17
Q

What is contained in liqueur de tirage? when is it added?

A

wine, sugar, yeast and a clarifying agent. It is added to the blended wine before it is bottled.

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18
Q

How long does secondary fermentation typically take to complete?

A

6 - 8 weeks.

19
Q

At what temperature are wines stored during secondary fermentation

A

10 - 12 degrees celsius (50 - 53 degrees fahrenheit)

20
Q

What 2 things rise during secondary fermentation in the bottle?

A

alcohol and CO2

21
Q

Describe the process of autolysis. What flavors are imparted on the wine during autolysis?

A

when dead yeast cells break down in the bottle releasing proteins and other chemicals into the wine. Autolysis imparts flavors of bread, biscuit and toast.

22
Q

How long does autolysis typically last?

A

between 4 and 5 years

23
Q

Will a wine that has spent extended time on its lees mature more slowly or quickly than a wine from the same batch that has been disgorged earlier?

A

More quickly.

24
Q

How is the lees settlement removed after maturation?

A

The wine is riddled, turned slightly every day to bring it from horizontal to vertical. The lees settles in the neck of the bottle. The nexk is submerged in a cold solution to freeze the wine in the neck. The cap is removed and the pressure in the bottle ejects the frozen wine and sediment.

25
Q

What is added to the wine after disgorgement to replace the lost wine from the neck?

A

Liqueur d’expedition

26
Q

What is found in Liqueur d’expedition?

A

wine and cane sugar

27
Q

What is the sugar in the Liqueur d’expedition commonly referred to as?

A

dosage

28
Q

What does the dosage determine?

A

the sweetness level of the wine

29
Q

What happens to the sugar in the liqueur de tirage?

A

It is all consumed during secondary fermentation.

30
Q

Of Extra-Sec, Sec and Demi-Sec, which is the sweetest?

A

Demi-Sec

31
Q

What labeling term indicates that there is no dosage at all?

A

Brut Nature

32
Q

What labellling term would be used for luscious Champagne?

A

Doux

33
Q

After Brut Nature, what two labeling terms indicate the lowest sugar levels?

A

Extra Brut and Brut

34
Q

What aroma characteristics will continue to develop after disgorgement when the dosage is added?

A

biscuit, honey, walnut, toast

35
Q

What percentage of champagne does grower champagne account for?

A

25%

36
Q

What percentage of champagne does champagne houses account for?

A

67%

37
Q

What is NV Champagne? How long must it be aged by law?

A

Champagne made of grapes from different vintages. must be aged a minimum of fifteen months

38
Q

Does NV champagne benefit from extended bottle aging?

A

No

39
Q

How long must a vintage champagne be aged?

A

minimum of 3 years

40
Q

What can be done to create a Rose champagne which is unique to anywhere else in the EU?

A

Red wine and white wine can be blended.

41
Q

What is the grape varietal of blanc de blanc?

A

100% chardonnay.

42
Q

What is the grape varietal of Blanc de Noir?

A

Pinot Noir and Meunier

43
Q

What is the phrase typically associated with the premium wines that many producers make from the very best parcels?

A

Prestige Cuvee or Tete de Cuvee

44
Q

Name two pruning systems permitted in Champagne.

A

Taille Chablis (for Chardonnay) and Cordon de royat (for Pinot Noir)