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French Wine Scholar > Champagne: Part 2 > Flashcards

Champagne: Part 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What were the principal grape varieties of Champagne from the 9th to the 16th centuries?

A
  • Gouais Blanc
  • Gouais Noir (vins de la montagne)
  • Fromenteau (vins de la riviere)
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2
Q

Up until the early 20th century, it was common practice to plant a mix of which grape varietites in Champagne?

A

White:
* Pinot Blanc
* Arbanne/Arbane
* Petit Meslier
* Chardonnay

Red:
* Chasselas rouge
* Gamay
* Morillon (Pinot Noir)
* Enfume Noir
* Pinot Meunier

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3
Q

Which grape varieties are planted in Champagne today?

A

Primary grapes:
* Pinot Noir (38% area under vine)
* Pinot Meunier (32%)
* Chardonnay (30%)

Secondary (historic) grapes:
* Pinot Gris
* Pinot Blanc
* Arbane
* Petit Meslier

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4
Q

Which producers currently craft champagnes from historic grapes?

A
  • Tarlant
  • Drappier
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5
Q

What types of grapes are ideal for the champagne method of sparkling wine?

A

Varieties with a modest aromatic profile. This method imparts notes of toast, brioche and pastry, which requires a neutral base wine that beautifully expresses those autolytic characteristics.

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6
Q

What types of grapes are ideal for the tank method of producing sparkling wine?

A

Grapes with bright fruit and flowery notes. This process capitalizes on those bold aromatics.

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7
Q

Name the primary grapes used in champagne production.

A

White:
* Chardonnay

Rose/Gris:
* Pinot Gris

Red:
* Pinot Noir
* Pinot Meunier

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8
Q

What characteristics does Chardonnay contribute to champagne?

A
  • notes of apple & citrus
  • high alcohol
  • high acidity
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9
Q

What type of soil is Chardonnay typically grown in?

A

Chalk

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10
Q

What grape varieties are used in Blanc de Blancs style champagnes?

A

Principal:
* Chardonnay

Secondary:
* Pinot Blanc
* Arbane
* Petit Meslier

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11
Q

Which current grape variety in Champagne is believed to be the historic Fromenteau?

A

Pinot Gris

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12
Q

What is the authorized use of Pinot Gris in Champagne?

A
  • used on its own
  • used in champagne blends
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13
Q

Which grape is the most widely planted variety in the Champagne region?

A

Pinot Noir

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14
Q

What characteristics does Pinot Noir contribute to champagne wines?

A
  • the least amount of acidity
  • moderate alcohol
  • notes of strawberry, cherry and other red fruits
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15
Q

What type of soil does Pinot Noir grow well on?

A

Limestone-rich marls

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16
Q

What characteristics does Pinot Meunier contribute to champagne wines?

A
  • bright red fruit, earthiness and a note of rye bread
  • moderate acidity
  • the least amount of alcohol

It softens a blend, making it more approachable.

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17
Q

What types of soils does Pinot Noir flourish in?

A

It flourishes in a variety of soils but is commonly planted on:
* marl
* sands
* clays

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18
Q

What are the 4 approved training methods in Champagne?

A
  • Chablis
  • cordon
  • Guyot
  • Vallee de la Marne
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19
Q

Which vinetraining methods must be used for Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards?

A
  • Chablis
  • cordon
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20
Q

Which vinetraining method is used for Pinot Meunier vines in Champagne?

A

Vallee de la Marne (exclusively)

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21
Q

What is the concern regarding rootstocks in Champagne?

A

Care must be taken to use rootstocks that have adapted to the chalky soils.
Rootstock 41B has an affinity to chalky soils and is the rootstock of choice for a large majority of vines.

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22
Q

What specific attributes are important in the clones used in Champagne?

A
  • delivers high-acid berries
  • resistant to gray rot & botrytis
  • Pinot Noir clones with larger berries to produce more juice
  • Pinot Meunier clones with a later bud break
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23
Q

How has climate change affected the Champagne region and its wines?

A
  • average temperatures increased approx. 2°F/1.2°C
  • flowering/harvest shifted forward 10-14 days
  • sites susceptible to frost have a higher risk, due to the increasingly early bud break of recent vintages
  • red grapes ripen more completely
  • enabled the Champenois to make headway in the organic/biodynamic arena
  • Chaptalization is less comprehensive/routine, grapes are achieving physiological ripeness
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24
Q

What are the characteristics of the red Coteaux Champenois which has benefitted from climate change?

A

These are now suppler, stand-alone bottlings with deep cherry fruit and silken tannins that show tremendous elegance and perfume.

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25
Name some of the most vocal advocates of biodynamic practices?
* Champagne *Louis Roederer* * *Fleury* (grower-producer) * *Larmandier-Bernier* (grower-producer)
26
Why is it a monumental feat to be able to label a champagne 'organic' or 'biodynamic'?
There are more than 300 champagne houses and well over 15,000 growers. The overwhelming majority of champagne is made from purchased grapes blended from different vineyards, villages and sub-regions.
27
How has climate change affected the winemaking process in **Champagne**?
* chaptalization is less routine * natural alcohol levels have risen, acid levels have dropped, causing many houses to rethink malolactic conversion * drop in acid levels has resulted in a drop in the average dosage level (less sugar is needed to balance the lower levers of acidity)
28
What style of champagnes were popular during the 19th century?
*Doux* champagnes The Russian market clamoured for them
29
Who is credited for initiating the trend for drier versions of champagne?
Madame Pommery
30
What is *Vintage* champagne?
It is champagne crafted from grapes grown in a single vintage year and is only crafted in good vintages. It tells the story of the grape during one growing season; it is a snapshot in time. * more expensive than non-vintage champagne, due to lower production numbers (not necessarily better) * carries the vintage year on both cork and label * must only be crafted from fruit grown during the stated vintage with the exception of the *liqueur de dosage*
31
What are the requirements of *Vintage* champagne?
* min. 12 months on less * min. 3 years in the cellar from *tirage* to release
32
What is *non-vintage* champagne?
"Multi-vintage" champagne more accurately describes the product in the the glass as it is a blend of several vintages. It tells a never-ending story of the grape through multiple vintages; it reflects the ongoing vision of the house style.
33
What are the aging requirements of *non-vintage* champagne?
* min. 12 months on lees * an additional 3 months in the cellar before release
34
What percentage of champagne exports by volume are *non-vintage Brut*?
**78.5%** (2019) This clearly shows the strength and importance of this category.
35
What grapes are permitted for the production of *Grand Cru* champagne?
Grapes are exclusively sourced from the 17 *Grand Cru* villages.
36
What grapes are permitted for the production of *Premier Cru* champagne?
* grapes sourced from the 42 *Premier Cru* villages * may include fruit from the 17 *Grand Cru* villages
37
What is *Blanc de Blancs* champagne?
White sparkling wine made from authoried white grapes (largely **Chardonnay**).
38
What are the characteristics of *Blanc de Blancs* champagnes?
It can be delicate and lace-like with its finesse or rich and powerful depending on *terroir* and various winemaking variables.
39
What is *Blanc de Noirs* champagne?
A white sparkling wine made from black grapes (**Pinot Noir** and/or **Meunier**).
40
What are the characteristics of *Blanc de Noirs* champagne?
It often carries a bit of tannin and a more overt and expressive aroma. On the palate, it is likely to be powerful and fruity.
41
How is *rose* champagne made?
Most are made by adding 8-20% top-quality red wine (**Pinot Noir**) to the base wine. Although, some houses make a *rose de saignee*.
42
What are the characteristics of *rose* champagne?
Structured with a noticable tannic grip.
43
What are *Prestige Cuvees*?
A champagne house's highest quality bottlings.
44
How are *Prestige Cuvee*s produced?
* from special parcels * old vines * Grand Cru sites * prolonged lees contact * oak treatment * extensive cellar aging
45
Name two examples of *Prestige Cuvees*.
* Veuve Clicquot's "*la Grande Dame*" * Champagne Louis Roederer's "*Cristal*"
46
What are *Late-Disgorged* champagnes?
These have spent many years on the lees before disgorgement and are quite youthful when sent to market despite their extended time in cellar.
47
What are *Single-Vineyard* champagnes?
These are produced from grapes in a *mono-parcelle* (single parcel) vineyard.
48
How is *Single-Vineyard* champagne different from traditional blended champagnes?
These champagnes embrace vintage variations and signature flavours of a specific *terroir*.
49
Name an example of a *mono-parcelle* champagne.
Philipponnat's *Clos des Goisses*
50
What is a *Single-Cru* champagne?
"*Mono-cru*s" focus on the fruit from one village or cru.
51
Name an example of a *Single-Cru* champagne.
Salon's Cuvee *"S" Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs*; crafted solely from **Chardonnay** from *Le Mesnil-sur-Oger*.
52
What is a *Special Club* champagne?
These are peer-reviered, prestige cuvees from members of the *Club Tresors de Champagne*. They must be made entirely on a member's own premises, with their own grapes and only in outstanding vintages. The wines must undergo two blind tastings to earn the right to be labeled as "*Special Club*" and be sold in the club's signature bottle.
53
What is *Solera* (perpetual reserve) champagne?
These are made from a single stainless steel tank or oak foudre that is kept perpetually. Producers add to this vessel based on specific harvest parameters, like the best vintages or high-acid vintages. A portion may be put into a bottle to undergo *prise de mousse*, while the rest is kept to assimilate new wine when added, thus forming a perpetual reserve.
54
How many **AOC**s are there in **Champagne**?
**3**
55
Name the **AOC**s of **Champagne**.
1. **Rose des Riceys AOC** (1947) 2. **Coteaux Champenois AOC** (1974) 3. **Champagne AOC** (1936)
56
What style of wine is produced in **Rose des Riceys AOC**?
*Rose*
57
Name the grape varietie(s) used in **Rose des Riceys AOC**.
Red: * [P] **Pinot Noir**
58
Where are **Rose des Riceys AOC** wines produced?
Only in the **3** villages of *Les Riceys* in the *Aube*.
59
How much wine does **Rose des Riceys AOC** produce annually?
Approx. 60,000 bottles per year.
60
What styles of wine are produced in **Coteaux Champenois AOC**?
Still wines only: * Dry white * Rose * Red Most production is non-vintage and white; a small quantity of red & rose are produced.
61
Name the grapes used to produce wines in **Coteaux Champenois AOC**.
White: * [P] **Chardonnay** * [S] **Arbane**, **Pinot Blanc**, **Petit Meslier** Rose/Gris: * [S] **Pinot Gris** Red: * [P] **Pinot Noir**, **Pinot Meunier**
62
How much wine is produced in **Coteaux Champenois AOC** annually?
Approx. 120,000 bottles per year.
63
What styles of wine are produced under **Champagne AOC**?
* Sparkling White * Sparkling Rose
64
Name the grape varieties used in **Champagne AOC**.
White: * [P] **Chardonnay** * [S] **Arbane**, **Pinot Blanc**, **Petit Meslier** Rose/Gris: * [S] **Pinot Gris** Red: * [P] **Pinot Noir**, **Pinot Meunier**
65
What are the blending rules in **Champagne AOC**?
There are no set blending formulas, with the exception that: * Blanc de Blancs must be made from white grapes * Blanc de Noirs must be made from red grapes Each champagne house is given the freedom to created their own proprietary blends and finish them within a range of prescribed sweetness levels and/or styles.
66
What are some things that have strict regulations within the **Champagne AOC**?
* yields * juice extraction
67
The E.U. forbids mixing red wine with white to make rose, with the exception of what product?
*Rose* champagne.
68
What does **NM** mean on a champagne label?
**NM** = **Negociant-Manipulant** Term describing a champagne producer that incorporates grapes purchased from others in the vinification process. He may also be using his own fruit. All the big champagne houses are **NM**s.
69
What does **RM** mean on a champagne label?
**RM** = **Recoltant-Manipulant** Term describing a champagne producer vinifying only his/her own estate-grown grapes. An **RM** does not purchase grapes from others.
70
What does **RC** mean on a champagne label?
**RC** = **Recoltant-Cooperateur** Term referring to a grape grower affiliated with a winemaking co-operative cellar. An **RC** brings their own grapes to the co-operative which vinifies them. The **RC** then retrieves the finished wine and sells it under their own private label.
71
What does **SR** mean on a champagne label?
**SR** = **Societe de Recoltants** Term referring to a group of grape growers who jointly vinify and sell one communal or several communal brands.
72
What does **CM** mean on a champagne label?
**CM** = **Cooperative de Manipulation** Term referring to a co-operative cellar which vinifies the grapes of its member growers.
73
What does **MA** mean on a champagne label?
**MA** = **Marque Auxiliaire**, **Marque d'Acheteur** or **Marque Autorisee** Term referring to a private label for wine registered by any individual, group or society (restaurant, wine store, supermarket, etc.) with the purpose of selling to their customers or members; the source for that private label could be any of the types of producers listed above.
74
What does **ND** mean on a champagne label?
**ND** = **Negociant-Distributeur** Term referring to a wine buyer who purchases finished wines, gives them their own private label and sells them through numerous channels.

French Wine Scholar (34 decks)

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