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French Wine Scholar > Champagne > Flashcards

Champagne Flashcards

1
Q

Who crafted the first sparling wine & where?

A

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

150 years before Dom Perignon.

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2
Q

Climate of Champagne?

A

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

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3
Q

Where is Kimmeridgian marl found?

A

Côtes des Bar (Aube)

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4
Q

What is Kimmeridgian marl made up of?

A

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

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5
Q

Where was Kimmeridgian marl first classified?

A

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

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6
Q

A detailed description of the soil of champagne?

A

Belemnite & Micraster chalk

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

Micraster: Fossilized sea urchins. Found on flatter slopes.

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7
Q

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

A

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.

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8
Q

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

A

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
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9
Q

Location of Champagne?

A

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

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10
Q

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

A

Pinot Meunier

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11
Q

What is the primary grape of the Côte des Blancs?

A

Chardonnay

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12
Q

What are the three principal grapes of Champagne today?

A 
Pinot Noir (38%)
Pinot Meunier (34%)
Chardonnay (28%)
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13
Q

Which Champagne region is included in the Kimmeridgian Ring?

A

Côtes des Bar

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14
Q

Why is Belamite chalk preferred over Micraster chalk?

A

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

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15
Q

How many distinct terroirs are there in Champagne?

A

17

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16
Q

How many villages in champagne?

A

225

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17
Q

How many premier cru?

A

41

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18
Q

How many grand cru?

A

17

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19
Q

What is AOC Rose des Riceys?

A

100% Pinot Noir Rose

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

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20
Q

What kind of wine does AOC Coteaux Champenois produce?

A

100% still wine

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21
Q

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

A

80%

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22
Q

What is Dom Perignon credited for?

A

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.

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23
Q

Name one house who ferments the wine in oak?

A

Krug

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24
Q

Atmospheres in a bottle of champagne

A

4.9 - 6

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25
Q

What does tirage mean?

A

The act of bottling

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26
Q

What is liquer de tirage?

A

Addition of sugar to start secondary fermentation in the bottle

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27
Q

Who is credited for liquer de tirage?

A

Brother Jean Oudart of the Abbey of St Pierre aux Monts

28
Q

Where is Abbey of St Pierre aux Monts located?

A

In the village of Chalons-en-Champagne

29
Q

How long does secondary usually last?

30
Q

Aroma profile of “the champagne bouquet”?

A

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

31
Q

By law, how long must champagne spend on lees?

32
Q

How long does Cremant spend on lees?

33
Q

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

34
Q

How much time must vintage champagne spend in the cellar?

35
Q

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

A

Dom Perignon

36
Q

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

A

Wood.

Wood was then needed for building ships

37
Q

What is Nicole Barbe Ponsardin known for?

A

The riddling method.

Also, known as Veuve (Widow) Cliquot

38
Q

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

39
Q

What is a la volee?

A

Disgorgement

40
Q

Who started the trend to produce less sweet wines?

A

Madame Pommery

41
Q

What is Tete de Cuvee?

A

Prestige bottling of each house.

42
Q

What does RD signify on a label?

A

Recently disgorged.

43
Q

Champagne food traditions?

A

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

44
Q

Cheese pairings?

A 
Rich & Creamy
Cendre de champagne
Chaource
Chaumont
Langres

All produced from cow’s milk

45
Q

Signature sweet of champagne?

A

Biscuit Rose de Reims

It is commonly eaten after dipping in champagne.

46
Q

The original Biscuit Rose de Reims were white or rose?

A

White and neutral tasting.

In 1960.

47
Q

What does NM signify on a label?

A

Negociant - Manipulant

Purchases fruit from others and makes their own wine. All big houses are NM.

48
Q

What does RM signify on a label?

A

Recoltant - Manipulant

Only produces wine from his own grapes.

49
Q

What does RC signify on a label?

A

Recoltant - Cooperateur

Grows their own grapes but does not vinify. Sells under his own label.

50
Q

What does SR signify on a label?

A

Societe de Recoltants

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

51
Q

What does CM signify on a label?

A

Coopeative de Manipulation

A co-operative that vinifies wine for their members

52
Q

What does MA signify on a label?

A

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.

53
Q

What does ND signify on a label?

A

Negociant - Distributeur

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

54
Q

Which was the first champagne house? year?

A

Ruinart: 1729

55
Q

When was Moet & Chandon found?

56
Q

Which house was founded in 1776?

A

Louis Roederer

57
Q

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

58
Q

How much sugar does Doux have?

A

over 5% sugar

59
Q

How much sugar does Extra-Sec have?

A

1.2 - 1.7% sugar

60
Q

When were the sweetness changes made?

61
Q

How much sugar does Brut have?

A

0 - 1.2% sugar

62
Q

Brut Nature?

A

No dosage added.

0 - 0.3% sugar

63
Q

How much sugar does Extra Brut have?

A

0 - 0.6% sugar

64
Q

How much sugar does Sec have?

A

1.7 - 3.2% sugar

65
Q

Which style of wine has 1.2 - 1.7% sugar?

French Wine Scholar (3 decks)

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