Champagne

Question 1

Who crafted the first sparling wine & where?

Answer 1

The monks of Saint Hilaire, near the town of Limoux.
Blanquette de Limoux

150 years before Dom Perignon.

Question 2

Climate of Champagne?

Answer 2

Dual climate:
Continental & maritime.
Cold because of the continental climate in winter.
The threat of frost from the maritime climate in spring & fall.

Question 3

Where is Kimmeridgian marl found?

Answer 3

Côtes des Bar (Aube)

Question 4

What is Kimmeridgian marl made up of?

Answer 4

Comprised of Virgulien marl. Fossilized marine deposits of small comma-shaped oysters; Exogyra Virgule.

Question 5

Where was Kimmeridgian marl first classified?

Answer 5

It takes its name from the Dorset village of Kimmeridge in England.

Question 6

A detailed description of the soil of champagne?

Answer 6

Belemnite & Micraster chalk

Belemnite: Ancient arrow or dart-like relative of today’s squid.

Micraster: Fossilized sea urchins. Found on flatter slopes.

Question 7

Sub-regions of Champagne with the following:
Grapes?
Soils?
The direction of slopes?

Answer 7

Côtes des Bar: Pinot Noir. Limestone rich marl. South-East facing.

Vallee de la Marne: Pinot Meunier. Marl, clay, sandstone. Left bank - North facing. Right Bank - South facing.

Côtes des Blancs: Chardonnay. Chalk. East facing.

Côtes des Sezanne: Chardonnay. Chalk. South-East facing.

Vitry-le-Francois: Chardonnay. Chalk. East Facing.

Montagne de Reims: Chardoonay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier. South, East, North, North-west facing.

Val de Reims: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier. Clay, Marl, sand. North-east & South-east facing.

Question 8

Permitted varieties in Champagne?
9th - 16th Century
16th Century to today

Answer 8

9th - 16th Century:
Gouais - Vins de la Montagne
Fromenteau - Vins de Riviere

16th Century - Today:
Pinot Noir
Pinot Meunier
Chardonnay
Pinot Blanc
Arbane
Petit Meslier

Question 9

Location of Champagne?

Answer 9

Most northerly of all French wine regions.
Lies between the 49* & 49.5* North parallel.
1.5-hour drive from Paris.

Question 10

What is the primary grape of the Vallée de la Marne?

Answer 10

Pinot Meunier

Question 11

What is the primary grape of the Côte des Blancs?

Answer 11

Chardonnay

Question 12

What are the three principal grapes of Champagne today?

Answer 12

Pinot Noir (38%)
Pinot Meunier (34%)
Chardonnay (28%)

Question 13

Which Champagne region is included in the Kimmeridgian Ring?

Answer 13

Côtes des Bar

Question 14

Why is Belamite chalk preferred over Micraster chalk?

Answer 14

Because of its location. Belamite is found at the upper to mid slope, where there is more sun and better water retention.

Question 15

How many distinct terroirs are there in Champagne?

Answer 15

17

Question 16

How many villages in champagne?

Answer 16

225

Question 17

How many premier cru?

Answer 17

41

Question 18

How many grand cru?

Answer 18

17

Question 19

What is AOC Rose des Riceys?

Answer 19

100% Pinot Noir Rose

Produced in the 3 villages of Les Riceys in the Aube.

Question 20

What kind of wine does AOC Coteaux Champenois produce?

Answer 20

100% still wine

Question 21

What is the maximum % used to make vintage champagne from a single harvest?

Answer 21

80%

Question 22

What is Dom Perignon credited for?

Answer 22

Creating his blending of the 3 grapes Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, & Chardonnay.

Compression & expansion of the natural cork; sealing the champagne bottle.

Instructed glass blowers to make uniform bottle necks.

Question 23

Name one house who ferments the wine in oak?

Answer 23

Krug

Question 24

Atmospheres in a bottle of champagne

Answer 24

4.9 - 6

Question 25

What does tirage mean?

Answer 25

The act of bottling

Question 26

What is liquer de tirage?

Answer 26

Addition of sugar to start secondary fermentation in the bottle

Question 27

Who is credited for liquer de tirage?

Answer 27

Brother Jean Oudart of the Abbey of St Pierre aux Monts

Question 28

Where is Abbey of St Pierre aux Monts located?

Answer 28

In the village of Chalons-en-Champagne

Question 29

How long does secondary usually last?

Answer 29

30 days

Question 30

Aroma profile of "the champagne bouquet"?

Answer 30

Aromas of toasted nuts, freshly baked bread, brioche, toasted grain, biscuit.

Question 31

By law, how long must champagne spend on lees?

Answer 31

12 months

Question 32

How long does Cremant spend on lees?

Answer 32

9 months

Question 33

By law, how much time must champagne spend from storage to release?

Answer 33

15 months

Question 34

How much time must vintage champagne spend in the cellar?

Answer 34

36 months

Question 35

Who is credited to first using English glass for champagne bottles?

Answer 35

Dom Perignon

Question 36

What was the fire source that the glassblowers used before coal?

Answer 36

Wood. Wood was then needed for building ships

Question 37

What is Nicole Barbe Ponsardin known for?

Answer 37

The riddling method. Also, known as Veuve (Widow) Cliquot

Question 38

How long does it take to collect all the dead yeast in the necks?

Answer 38

3 months

Question 39

What is a la volee?

Answer 39

Disgorgement

Question 40

Who started the trend to produce less sweet wines?

Answer 40

Madame Pommery

Question 41

What is Tete de Cuvee?

Answer 41

Prestige bottling of each house.

Question 42

What does RD signify on a label?

Answer 42

Recently disgorged.

Question 43

Champagne food traditions?

Answer 43

Medallions de Chevreuil aux Baies Rouges: Venison steaks with pink peppercorn Boudins Balncs: white sausages made with pork meats, fresh milk, a touch of cognac Breaded Totters

Question 44

Cheese pairings?

Answer 44

``` Rich & Creamy Cendre de champagne Chaource Chaumont Langres ``` All produced from cow's milk

Question 45

Signature sweet of champagne?

Answer 45

Biscuit Rose de Reims It is commonly eaten after dipping in champagne.

Question 46

The original Biscuit Rose de Reims were white or rose?

Answer 46

White and neutral tasting. In 1960.

Question 47

What does NM signify on a label?

Answer 47

Negociant - Manipulant | Purchases fruit from others and makes their own wine. All big houses are NM.

Question 48

What does RM signify on a label?

Answer 48

Recoltant - Manipulant | Only produces wine from his own grapes.

Question 49

What does RC signify on a label?

Answer 49

Recoltant - Cooperateur | Grows their own grapes but does not vinify. Sells under his own label.

Question 50

What does SR signify on a label?

Answer 50

Societe de Recoltants | Group of grape growers who jointly vinify their wines and sell under one or several communals

Question 51

What does CM signify on a label?

Answer 51

Coopeative de Manipulation A co-operative that vinifies wine for their members

Question 52

What does MA signify on a label?

Answer 52

Marque Auxiliaire Marque d'Acheteur Marque Autorisee A private label registered by a individual, group or society. The source can be any type of producer.

Question 53

What does ND signify on a label?

Answer 53

Negociant - Distributeur A wine buyer who purchases finished wines and sells under their own label.

Question 54

Which was the first champagne house? year?

Answer 54

Ruinart: 1729

Question 55

When was Moet & Chandon found?

Answer 55

1743

Question 56

Which house was founded in 1776?

Answer 56

Louis Roederer

Question 57

What is the wine called that has 3.2-5% sugar?

Answer 57

Demi Sec

Question 58

How much sugar does Doux have?

Answer 58

over 5% sugar

Question 59

How much sugar does Extra-Sec have?

Answer 59

1.2 - 1.7% sugar

Question 60

When were the sweetness changes made?

Answer 60

2005

Question 61

How much sugar does Brut have?

Answer 61

0 - 1.2% sugar

Question 62

Brut Nature?

Answer 62

No dosage added. 0 - 0.3% sugar

Question 63

How much sugar does Extra Brut have?

Answer 63

0 - 0.6% sugar

Question 64

How much sugar does Sec have?

Answer 64

1.7 - 3.2% sugar

Question 65

Which style of wine has 1.2 - 1.7% sugar?

Answer 65

Extra Sec