Champagne COPY Flashcards
What are two terms for Méthode Champenoise produced outside of Champagne?
-méthode traditionnelle (traditional method)
-méthode classique (classic method)
Who was Dom Pérignon? What was his lasting contribution to Champagne?
-cellar master at Abbey of Hautvillers 1668-1715
-contributed technique of assemblage and viticulture but did not invent sparkling wine
What did the English contribute that made intentionally bottling sparkling wine possible?
Stronger, coal-fired glass (improved from wood-fired French glass)
In the 18th C, what were most serious producers still trying to produce?
Red and white still wine to compete with Burgundy
When was the word Mousseux associated with Champagne and when might have been the earliest the Champenoise were intentionally enjoying sparkling wine?
1724, 1700s
What is the earliest Champagne House? What is the earliest sparkling Champagne House?
Gosset (1584) - was making still wine though
Ruinart (1729) - oldest sparkling Champ house
When still in competition with Burgundy, what was a main goal for the Champenois?
Make White wine from Red grapes
-required exacting pressing and harvest procedures
-helped highlight difference in quality with vin du cuvée and vin de taille (1718)
What would they add to red wine to compete with reds of Burg?
Elderberry
Name 5 Champagne Houses founded in the 18th C
-Ruinart
-Taittinger
-Moët et Chandon
-Delamotte
-Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
Who was the Vueve “Widow” Clicquot?
Madame Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin
What did Madame Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin contribute to winemaking process in Champagne?
Remuage - riddling
Who identified the relationship between sugar and fermentation in 1801?
Jean-Antoine Chaptal - French chemist
-Chaptalization
What did André François identify in Champagne making?
The exact amount of sugar required to induce 2nd fermentation without breaking the bottle
Who put the first brut Champagne on the market? When?
Pommery - “Nature”
1874
When was the Champagne initially delimited by the French Govt?
1908
When did the Vignerons in Aube riot and when was it reinstated as a full region?
1911 riots lead to 1927 reclassification of Champagne including Aube
What was the goal of the Commission de Châlons?
develop quality standards and regulate pricing
1935
When did Champagne receive AOC status and what is unique about their status in regards to labeling?
1936 - only AOC/AOP not required to list AOC/AOP on label
What three things halted progress of Champagne in the last 19th and early 20th C?
Phylloxera - 1890s
Fraud - bc of Phyllox, importing other product and calling Champs
War - German entered Reims 1914 - Western Front of WWI cut through region- constant bombardment - wives/children/elderly made amazing vintage 1914
What happened during Nazi occupation in Champagne?
Nazi appointed Otto Klaebisch “wineführer”
-demanded huge sums of Champagne for Germany
-producers walled up millions of bottles, passing off inferior wines as “Reserved for the Wehrmacht,” a stunt that landed François Taittinger in jail
What formed as a result of Nazi occupation in Champagne? When?
CIVC (Comité Interprofessional du Vin de Champagne) formed in 1941
Who founded CIVC?
When?
Count Robert-Jean de Vogüé of Moët et Chandon
1941
What is the CIVC? (ext)
-Comité Interprofessional du Vin de Champagne
-Founded in 1941
-consortium of growers, producers, shippers to represent Champagne industry and protect interests
-Mediates large Champagne houses and small growers they source from
What is the maximum amount of farmed land owned or rented as per the Contrôle des Structures?
15 ha
How many growers are there in Champagne?
~20,000
(15,800 in 2016)
Who released the first tête de cuvée? When?
Dom Pérignon
1921 vintage, released in 1936
What is a tête de cuvée?
Prestige cuvée - A premier bottling often but not always carrying a vintage date
One in how many bottles of sparkling wine produced today are Champagne?
12
When did the INAO broaden the appellation from 319-357 villages?
2009
How many growers and houses existed in 2016?
15,800 growers, over 300 houses
How many bottles of Champagne shipped worldwide in 2016? 2021?
306 million in 2016
322 million in 2021
What are the 4 largest markets for Champagne?
UK, USA, Germany, Japan
(account for half of Champagne exports)
What parallel is Champagne located along?
48
(Reims is 49)
What is the mean annual temperature of Champagne?
50 F
What are four weather concerns for growers due to cold Atlantic-influenced climate?
frost, rain, fungal disease, hail
What is a bouvreux?
-A 2nd crop that happens due to rain during flowering
-rarely ripens, therefore left on vine
What subsoil is pushed to the surface on the slopes of Champagne?
Belemnite Chalk
Describe Belemnite Chalk
-pourous, provides excellent drainage
-absorbs heat, protects vines at night
-high limestone content, helps acidity
-from fossilized remains of an ancient squid
What is the subsoil that characterizes the valley vineyards in Champagne?
Micraster chalk
-named for extinct sea urchin
Why are the network of cellars carved out of chalk and limestone renowned?
They provide perfect natural storage at 53-54 F for millions of bottles
What soil covers most of the chalk in Champagne?
Sand and clay
What is the dominant soil type in the Aube?
Clay
Is modern organic and sustainable practice common in Champagne?
No, slow to embrace these techniques
What are the bleus de ville? When was practice outlawed?
Remnants of blue plastic bags used to ship composted trash used to fertilize vineyards
-practice outlawed in 1998
What are the percentages planted to PN, Chard, Meunier as of 2016?
Pinot Noir 38%
Chardonnay 31%
Meunier 31%
What does Chardonnay contribute to Champagne?
elegance and longevity
What does Pinot Noir contribute to Champagne?
structure, richness, body
What does Meunier contribute to Champagne?
youthful fruitiness and approachability
What are the 7 authorized grapes for Champagne?
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Meunier
Pinot Blanc Vrai (“true” white Pinot Noir)
Pinot Gris
Arbane
Petit Meslier
What 4 pruning methods are permitted in Champagne?
Cordon de Royat
Chablis
Vallée de la Marne
Guyot (double and single)
What is a marc of grapes?
4000 kg - the amount held in a traditional Coquard Basket Press
What are the pressing limits set by CIVC in 1992?
102 L/160 kg or
2550 L/4000kg (one marc of grapes)
Additional pressed juice is rebêche, or the “end of pressing”
What are the 5 départements of Champagne?
Aisne
Marne
Seine-et-Marne
Haute-Marne
Aube
(N to S)
How many communes of production (villages) are there in Champagne?
357
What is the rebêche?
-the “end of pressing” after vin de cuvèe and vin de taille
-must account for 0-10% of the total
-may only be used for distillation
What three cities are home to many of the major Champagne houses?
Reims
Aÿ
Epernay
(North to south to southwest)
What are the five districts of Champagne? What is the main grapes cultivated in each?
Montagne de Reims - PN
Vallée de la Marne - Meunier
Côte des Blancs - Chard
Côte de Sézanne - Chard
Côte des Bars (the Aube) - PN
Which direction do the slopes face in the Côte des Blancs?
southeast and east
Which district is known for frost and why is the grape varietal there prized?
Vallée de la Marne - Meunier buds late and ripens early, best in frost
How do the slopes face in the Montagne de Reims
North and south
How many Grand Cru villages in Champagne? How many Premier Cru?
17, 42
Name the 9 GC Villages of the Montagne de Reims
Sillery
Puisieulx
Beaumont-Sur-Vesle
Verzenay
Mailly-Champagne
Verzy
Louvois
Bouzy
Ambonnay
Name the 2 GC Villages of the Vallée de la Marne
Aÿ
Tours-sur-Marne
Name the 6 GC Villages of the Côte des Blancs
Chouilly
Oiry
Cramant
Avize
Oger
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Montagne de Reims Premier Cru Villages (25 total)
Bezannes
Billy-le-Grand
Chamery
Chigny-les-Roses
Cormontreuil
Coulommes-la-Montagne
Écueil
Jouy-lès-Reims
Ludes
Les Mesneux
Montbré
Pargny-lès-Reims
Rilly-la-Montagne
Sacy
Sermiers
Taissy
Tauxières-Mutry
Trépail
Trois-Puits
Vaudemange
Villers-Allerand
Villers-aux-Nœuds
Ville-Dommange
Villers-Marmery
Vrigny
Vallée de la Marne Premier Cru Villages (8 total)
Avenay-Val-d’Or
Bisseuil
Champillon
Cumières
Dizy
Hautvillers
Mareuil-sur-Aÿ
Mutigny
Côte des Blancs Premier Cru Villages (9 total)
Bergères-lès-Vertus
Cuis
Étréchy
Grauves
Pierry
Val-des-Marais (Coligny)
Vertus
Villeneuve-Renneville-Chevigny
Voipreux
What is the CIVC? (brief)
-regulatory body responsible for mediating relations between growers and producers
-oversees production methods
What is blocage and deblocage?
-the reserve and release of wine stocks for use in future vintage
-authorized by CIVC
What is the Échelle de Crus?
-Percentile system to rate villages (crus)
-CIVC set price of grapes and grower would get that %
100 = Grand Cru
90-99 = Premier Cru
80-89 = Cru (80 became minimum in 1985)
Which two premier crus received rating of 99% on Échelle de Crus?
Mareuil-sur-Ay (VdlM)
Tauxières (MdR)
When did CIVC stop setting the price of grapes? When did the system of Échelle de Crus become abolished completely?
1990 stopped setting price
Early 2000s system abolished, but premier and GC can still label as such
What is the matriculation number?
a code assigned to each producer by the CIVC, found on every bottle of Champagne
Define NM
Négociant Manipulant
-house that purchases grapes
-may own portion of grapes
Name 5 well known NM
Moët et Chandon
Louis Roederer
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
Billecart-Salmon
Lanson
Taittinger
Pol Roger
Perrier-Jouët
Mumm
Laurent-Perrier
Name 4 Champagne houses owned by LVMH
Moët et Chandon
Krug
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
Ruinart
Define RM
Récoltant Manipulant
-grower-producer
-makes Champs from estate grown fruit (min 95%)
What is the minimum percentage of fruit that must be estate grown for RM?
95%
Define CM
Coopérative Manipulant
-growers co-operative
-produces wine under single brand
Define RC
Récoltant Coopérateur
-Grower whose grapes vinified at co-op
-sells wine under his own label
Define SR
Société de Récoltants
-a firm set up by a union of often related growers
-share resources to make wines collectively
-market several brands
Define ND
Négociant Distributeur
-middleman company that distributes Champs it did not make
Define MA
Marque d’Acheteur
-A buyer’s own brand (supermarket, large resto)
-purchases Champs and sells under its own label
How is the first press divided?
2550 L
-split into vin de cuvée (first 2050 L)
and
-vin de taille (2nd 500L) - often sold or used in small amount for structure
What is débourbage?
Allowing the newly pressed juice to settle at a cool temp 8-15 hours so solids (bourbs) can be removed with racking before fermentation
When would chaptalization happen during the méthode Champenoise?
Before primary fermentation
What are the vin clairs?
-High acid base wines with abv ~11%
-result of primary fermentation
What vessels are typically used for primary fermentation?
stainless steel or used oak, some producers use portion of new oak
What happens after primary fermentation before assemblage in Méthode Champenoise?
-Malolactic fermentation, if so chosen
-clarification through fining, filtering or centrifuge
-base wines remain in vessel until Feb or March
What is Assemblage?
-blend of base wines from different growing areas, vintages, reserve wines to create hallmark style
-for rosé usually some base red wine blended in
-then cold stabalized
What is the prise de mousse?
Second fermentation
Describe steps of Prise de Mousse
-Blended wine is racked and bottled with liqueur de tirage to ignite 2nd fermentation
-bottle fixed with crown cap containing bidule or cork
What is liqueur de tirage?
-mixture of still wine, yeasts, sugar, fining agents
-ignites 2nd fermentation
What is a bidule?
plastic capsule under crown cap that serves to capture sediment during remuage
How long does prise de mousse last and how much does the alcohol content and pressure raise during it?
-Lasts up to 8 weeks
-gain 1.2-1.3% alcohol
-pressure 5-6 atm
What is “Sur latte”
-Storing bottles horizontally
-how they are typically stored during 2nd fermentation
What is pointage
Method historically used to prevent sediment from sticking to sides of bottles - briskly shake bottle
What is remuage?
Riddling - manipulating sediment into the neck and bidule of bottle through sharp twists and inversion of bottle
What did the widow Clicquot invent that was a breakthrough in remuage?
The pupitre - 2 wooden planks fastened in an A shape with 60 angled holes in each
How long did remuage take historically with a remuer
about 8 weeks
Who in vented the gyropalette?
How many bottles does it hold and how long does remuage take?
-Invented by Spanish (Cava)
-Holds 504 bottles
-remuage takes a week or less
What is “sur pointe”?
The bottles in an upside-down vertical position with lees collected in neck
-some houses age this way for years
Name an example of a bottling that uses sur pointe aging?
Bollinger RD (Récemment Dégorgé)
What is dégorgement à la glace?
-dipping neck of bottle in freezing brine then turning upright and removing crown cap
-force of internal pressure expels semi-frozen sediment and small portion of wine
What is dégorgement à la volée?
Same as dégorgement à la glace but bottle isn’t frozen - more wine lost
What is the liqueur d’expédition
-dosage
-liquid mix of sugar syrup and wine to determine desired style of wine
Name all sweetness designations in order
Brut Nature
Extra Brut
Brut
Extra Dry
Sec
Demi-Sec
Doux
How much RS in Brut Nature?
0-3 g/L (no added dosage)
How much RS in Extra Brut?
0-6 g/L
How much RS in Brut?
0-12 g/L
How much RS in Extra Dry?
12-17 g/L
How much RS in Sec?
17-32 g/L
How much RS in Demi-Sec?
32-50 g/L
How much RS in Doux?
50+ g/L
What is a muselet?
Wire cage around cork
How long must NV styles remain in cellar?
15 months (including lees aging)
How long must Vintage styles remain in cellar?
36 months
For which bottle sizes is transvasage (transfer method) allowed?
Smaller than half bottle, larger than Jero
Describe transvasage
Transfer method
-remuage not necessary
-wine disgorged into pressurized tank, filtered
-dosage added
-wine transferred to clean bottle under pressure
Name all Champagne bottle sizes in order
Piccolo - quarter bottle
Demi - half bottle
Bottle
Magnum - 2 bottles (1.5 L)
Jerobaum - 4 bottles (3 L)
(rehobaum) - 6 bottles (4.5 L)
Methuselah - 8 bottles (6 L)
Salamanzar - 12 bottles (9 L)
Balthazar - 16 bottles (12 L)
Nebudchunezzar - 20 bottles (15 L)
Solomon - 24 bottles (18L)
What is Solomon called in Bordeaux?
Melchior (18 L) 24 bottles
How much of the market is made up with NV Champagne?
3/4
How much of a stated vintage must come from that year? How much of each vintage’s harvest may be sold as vintage Champagne?
-100% must come from that vintage
-80% may be sold as vintage each year
What is another word for Prestige Cuvée? Must it have a vintage stated?
Tête de Cuvée
No, but usually does have vintage date
Must single vineyard Champagne have a vintage date?
No, but usually does
What was the first single vineyard Champagne? when?
Philipponat’s Clos de Goisses
1935
When did the Special Club originate?
1971
Two methods to make Rosé Champagne?
Saignée and blending
Special Club Rules
-The “Special Club” is the prestige cuvée for all members
-The Club Trésors will declare a vintage as being worthy, then each member may decide individually whether or not to produce a “Special Club” wine
-All base wines and finished “Special Club” wines must undergo tasting analysis
-All “Special Club” bottles share an identical label and bottle shape
-Only RM and estate vinified and bottled
Special Club Members
Paul Bara (Bouzy)
Roland Champion (Chouilly)
Charlier et Fils (Montigny-sous-Châtillon)
Gaston Chiquet (Dizy)
Duménil (Chigny-les-Roses)
Forget-Chemin (Ludes)
Fresnet-Juillet (Verzy)
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils (Cuis)
J.M. Goulard (Prouilly)
Henri Goutorbe (Aÿ)
Grongnet (Etoges)
Marc Hébrart (Mareuil-sur-Aÿ)
Hervieux-Dumez (Sacy)
Vincent Joudart (Fèrebrianges)
Juillet-Lallement (Verzy)
Larmandier Père et Fils (Cuis)
J. Lassalle (Chigny-les-Roses)
Joseph Loriot-Pagel (Festigny)
A. Margaine (Villers Marmery)
Rémy Massin et Fils (Ville-sur-Arce)
José Michel et Fils (Moussy)
Moussé Fils (Cuisles)
Mouzon-Leroux et Fils (Verzy)
Nominé-Renard (Villevenard)
Pertois-Moriset (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger)
Salmon (Chaumuzy)
Sanchez-Le Guédard (Cumières)
Vazart-Coquart et Fils (Chouilly)
What are the two appellations for still Wine in Champagne? Describe the differences
Coteaux Champenois and Rosé de Riceys
-Coteaux Champenois still white, rose or red from anywhere in Champagne AOC
-Rosé de Riceys 100% Pinot Noir rose from Les Riceys cru in the Aube
Name the 7 AOC regions for crémant produced by traditional method
-Crémant de Bordeaux
-Crémant de Bourgogne
-Crémant de Loire
-Crémant de Limoux
-Crémant de Die
-Crémant du Jura
-Crémant d’Alsace
Name three subregions in the Loire that make traditional method sparkling wine
Vouvray, Montlouis-sur-Loire, Saumur
Name two subregions in the Savoie that make traditional method sparkling wine
Vin de Savoie, Seyssel
How are fully sparkling vs slightly sparkling wine labeled in non AOC sparkling wine appelations
Mousseaux- fully sparkling
Pétillant - slightly sparkling
*Crémant for fully sparkling in Savoie
Name the traditional method sparkling wine AOP in the Langeudoc and assemblage requirements
Blanquette de Limoux AOP
-min 90% Mauzac, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
Where in Italy is the best traditional method sparkling wine found? Name two DOCGS
Lombardy
-Franciacorta
-Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico
What are the terms for the traditional method sparkling wine in Spain and Germany
Cava
Sekt**
**Only highest quality Sekt made in traditional method
What region represents a natural continuation of the chalk of Champagne?
White Cliffs of Dover in England
Name two producers in Sussex leading the way in quality traditional method sparkling wine
Nyetimber
Ridgeview Estate
Where did Roederer, Taittinger and Moët et Chandon set up in the US respectively?
Roederer - Anderson Valley in Mendocino
Taittinger - Carneros
Moët et Chandon - Yountville
Who is at the forefront of South African traditional sparkling wine, what is the term for it?
Cape Classique - Graham Beck
Name 5 countries outside of Europe and the US where major Champagne houses have set up
Australia
New Zealand
Argentina
Ukraine
Brazil
Describe Méthode Ancestrale
-Single fermentation begins in tank
-transferred to bottle before 1st fermentation complete
-no liqueur de tirage needed, dosage not allowed
-disgorged filtered and transferred to new bottle before sale
Name three appellations that use the Méthode Ancestrale
Bugey Cerdon
Clairette de Die Méthode Dioise Ancestrale (Rhone)
Gaillac Mousseux Méthode Gaillaçoise (SW France)
Two other names for Charmat Process
Cuve Close
Tank Mathod
Describe Charmat Process
-After 1st fermentation, liqueur de tirage added
-undergoes 2nd fermentation in pressurized, enamel lines tank, takes matter of days
-Once pressure reached (usually ~5atm) chilled to halt fermentation
-wine filtered and bottled, usually with dosage
Name two appellations that typically use the Charmat Process
Asti DOCG and Prosecco
Where was Continuous method developed?
USSR
Alternate name: Russian Continuous Method
Describe Continuous method
-After 1st fermentation, base wine pumped through series of connected tanks while undergoing 2nd fermentation
-liqueur de tirage added constantly and lees accumulate in first few tanks
-higher degree of autolyzed flavors than tank method
-Used for majority of German Sekt
Name the four other methods of sparkling winemaking besides traditional method
-Méthode Ancestrale
-Charmat Process/Tank
-Continuous Method
-Carbonation
A few producers of Coteaux Champenois
-Egly-Ouriet (Ambonnay) [Cuvée des Grands Côtés]
-Bollinger [La Côte aux Enfants]
-Marguet Père et Fils
-Pierre Gerbais