Champagne Flashcards
What is the Premier and Grand Cru class system know as in Champagne AC?
echelle des crus
What is the primary soil type in Champagne?
Chalk
Why is chalk important in champagne?
Provides good drainage but retains water.
What is the biggest viticultural challenge in Champagne?
Frost
What are the 3 main grape varieties used in making Champagne?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier
Which of the 3 grape varieties used in Champagne production produces the greatest?
Pinot Noir
What does Meunier give to Champagne?
easy to drink fruitiness
Are the majority of grapes used in Champagne white or red?
red - 66%
How many liters of juice can be extracted from 160 kilograms of grapes?
102
What are the first 82 liters of juice that is extracted known as?
Cuvee
What are the last 20 liters of juice that is extracted known as?
Taille
Why is pressing done as quickly and gently as possible?
To reduce the risk of extracting color and tannins
In what vessel does primary fermentation of the grapes typically take place?
stainless steel vats
Describe the acid and alcohol levels of base wine resulting from primary fermentation.
high acid, medium alcohol
What is reserve wine and what is its purpose?
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.
In what vessel does secondary fermentation take place?
In bottle.
What is contained in liqueur de tirage? when is it added?
wine, sugar, yeast and a clarifying agent. It is added to the blended wine before it is bottled.
How long does secondary fermentation typically take to complete?
6 - 8 weeks.
At what temperature are wines stored during secondary fermentation
10 - 12 degrees celsius (50 - 53 degrees fahrenheit)
What 2 things rise during secondary fermentation in the bottle?
alcohol and CO2
Describe the process of autolysis. What flavors are imparted on the wine during autolysis?
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.
How long does autolysis typically last?
between 4 and 5 years
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?
More quickly.
How is the lees settlement removed after maturation?
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.
