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Introductory Sommelier > Champagne > Flashcards

Champagne Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

What is Champagne?

A

French sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France

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2
Q

What are the grape varieties used for making Champagne?

A

Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Meunier

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3
Q

Champagne Location/Geography

A

The Champagne region is located in northern France, about 90 miles northeast of Paris

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4
Q

Champagne Climate

A

Cool continental. Champagne hovers at the northern most limit of vine growing. Champagne has no natural protection from the Atlantic. With often cloudy, unpredictable weather, it is one of the coolest wine growing regions in the world.

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5
Q

Champagne Soil

A

Limestone and chalk. Vine roots can dig deep in these soils, which provide good drainage while also retaining moisture. These soils maintain a relatively constant temperature throughout the year.

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6
Q

Champagne Viticulture

A

The northern location means that growers in Champagne face persistent threats of rain, frost, and hail.

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7
Q

Champagne Vinification

A

Most Champagne is a blend of grapes, sub-regions, villages, vineyards and vintages. In Champagne wines are made using the méthode champenoise. Outside of Champagne this is called méthode classique.

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8
Q

What is méthode champenoise?

A

The traditional method of making sparkling wine

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9
Q

What are the seven steps in méthode champenoise?

A
  1. Base still wine bottled
  2. Assembling the blend
  3. Secondary fermentation
  4. Sur lie aging
  5. Riddling
  6. Disgorging
  7. Dosage
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10
Q

How is the base still wine made?

A

Grapes are pressed quickly and gently to avoid retaining color from the skins and to prevent oxidation. The base wine is very light in color, low in alcohol and high in acidity. Fermentation is done in stainless or oak.

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11
Q

What is another name for the blend?

A

Cuvée

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12
Q

How are the bubbles created?

A

The base wine is bottled with a syrupy mixture of yeast and sugar, called the liqueur de tirage. The bottle is sealed with a crown cap and, over time, the yeast metabolizes the sugar, creating a small amount of alcohol and carbon dioxide gas. The CO2 is trapped in the bottle and creates the bubbles.

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13
Q

What is Sur lie aging?

A

Resting the wine on the lees after the secondary fermentation and autolysis.

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14
Q

What is autolysis?

A

The yeast cells breaking down after the secondary fermentation in sparkling wine.

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15
Q

By law how long must NV Champagne be aged and how long on the lees?

A

15 months total and 12 months on the lees

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16
Q

What flavors and aromas does sur lie aging impart?

A

Yeast, dough, and fresh baked bread

17
Q

What is riddling?

A

Gently turning each bottle twice a day to gradually move the lees into the neck

18
Q

What is a pupitre?

A

An A-frame wine rack that holds 60 bottles. Created by widow Clicquot.

19
Q

What is a gyropalette?

A

A large machine

20
Q

How long does riddling take?

A

8 weeks by hand and 8 days by machine

21
Q

What is disgorging?

A

Ejecting the sediment from the bottle by freezing the wine neck and opening the bottle.

22
Q

What is dosage?

A

Adding a mixture of wine a sugar called liqueur d’expédition to the bottle after disgorgement. The amount of sugar added determines the sweetness level and style of the Champagne

23
Q

Champagne Styles from Dry to Sweet

A 
Brut Nature - Non Dosé
Extra Brut
Brut
Extra Dry
Sec
Demi Sec
Doux
24
Q

Champagne AOP

A

Sparkling wine made via the méthode champenoise

25
Q

What are the three sub regions of Champagne?

A

Vallée de la Marne
Côte des Blancs
Montagne de Reims

26
Q

How long must vintage Champagne be aged?

A

A minimum of 36 months

27
Q

What is Rosé Champagne?

A

Pink colored Champagne

28
Q

What is Blanc de Blanc?

A

100% Chardonnay Champagne

29
Q

What is Blanc de Noir?

A

Champagne made with only dark drapes (Pinot Noir and Meunier)

30
Q

What is Clos or Mono Parcel?

A

A noted single parcel in a vineyard under a single ownership

31
Q

What is Cuvée Prestige or Tête de Cuvée

A

The top end bottling of a particular Champagne house or producer

32
Q

What is a Négociant?

A

A producer who buys grapes, juice, or finished wine and bottle it under their own name and label.

33
Q

What is the vintage variation in Champagne?

A

Huge weather extremes mean that quality varies from season to season and year to year, resulting in wide vintage variations. There are limited number of vintage Champagnes in a decade. Most Champagnes are non-vintage.

34
Q

Top recent vintages of Champagne

A 
2015
2013
2012
2998
2005
35
Q

What is the difference in the transfer method?

A

Bottles are emptied into large tanks under pressure and the yeast and sediment are filtered before bottling. No need for riddling.

36
Q

What is the Charmat method?

A

Everything is done in pressurized tanks. Quicker and less expensive. Best for aromatic varieties.

Introductory Sommelier (24 decks)

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