Champagne & Sparkling Wine Flashcards
What region of Champagne is Epernay in?
Vallee de la Marne
What are the additional 4 Champagne grapes besides the big 3?
Fromenteau (aka Pinot Gris), Petite Meslier, Arbane, Pinot Blanc
What are two methods of disgorgement?
a la volée (traditional) and a la glace(modern)
T de C: Clos d’Ambonnay
Krug, NM. Ambonnay, GC, Montagne de Reims. Monoparcel. 100% Pinot Noir, FV: 1995
T de C: Clos du Mesnil
Krug, NM. Mesnil-sur-Oger, GC, Cote des Blancs, Monoparcel. 100% Chardonny, FV: 1979
T de C: Les Crayeres
Egly-Ouriet, RM. Monoparcel, Ambonnay, GC, Montagne de Remis. 100% PN.
T de C: Clos de Bouveries
Duval-Leroy, NM. Vertus, Cote des Blancs, 1er Cru (95%), Monoparcel. 100% Chardonnay.
T de C: Grand Sendree
Drappier, NM. Urville, the Aube, Monoparcel. 55% PN/45% Chard.
T de C: Clos Cazals
Claude Cazals, RM. Monoparcel, 3.5 ha Mesnil-sur-Oger, GC, Cote des Blancs. 100% Chardonnay
T de C: Clos du Moulin
Cattier, NM. Monoparcel, 2.2 ha, Ludes, 1er cru (94%), Montagne de Reims. 50% PN/50% Chard.
T de C: Vieille Vigne de Cramant
Larmandier-Bernier, RM. Vertus, 1er cru, Cote des Blancs, monoparcel. 100% Chardonnay.
T de C: L’Intemporelle
Mailly Grand Cru, CM. Mailly Champagne, GC, Montagne de Reims. Brut (60% PN/40% Chard) & Brut rose.
T de C: Les Echansons
Mailly Grand Cru, CM. Mailly-Champagne, GC, Montagne de Reims. Brut, 75% PN/25% Chard.
T de C: Palmes d’Or
Nicolas Feuillatte, CM. Chouilly, GC, Cote des Blancs. Brut & Brut rose: 50 Chard/50 PN.
What is remuage?
Riddling.
What is secondary fermentation referred to as in Champagne?
Prise de Mousse
Name the Grand Crus of Vallee de la Marne.
Ay, Tours-sur-Marne (red grapes only)
What is another term for dosage?
Liqueur d’Expedition
What two regions in Champagne do not have any Grand Crus?
Cote de Sezanne and Cotes des Bars (the Aube)
What is another term for the wine cage on a Champagne bottle?
Muselet
Name the Grand Crus of Montagne de Reims.
Sillery, Puisieulx, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Verzenay, Mailly, Verzy, Louvois, Bouzy, Ambonnay
T. de C.: Cuvee Laetitia
Henri Billiot, RM
Ambonnay, GC, Montagne de Reims
T. de C.: “La Grande Dame”
Veuve Clicquot, NM
Reims
Brut: 60-65% PN/30-35% Chard
Brut Rose
T. de C.: Comtes de Champagne
Tattinger, NM
Reims
Blanc des Blancs & Rosé (70% PN/30% Chard)
T. de C.: Dom Ruinart
Ruinart, NM, Reims
Blanc des Blancs and Rosé (85% Chard/15% PN)
T. de C.: “Cristal”
Louis Roederer, NM, Reims
Brut (approx. 55% PN/45% Chard) & Brut Rosé
Name the grand crus of the Cote des Blancs, from north to south?
Chouilly, Oiry, Cramant, Avize, Oger, Le-Mesnil-sur-Oger.
T. de C.: Cuvee Les Aventures
AR Lenoble, NM
Chouilly, GC, Cote des Blancs
100% Chard
T. de C.: Cuvee Louise
Pommery, NM, Reims
Brut (60% Chard/40% PN) & Brut Rosé
T. de C.: Sir Winston Churchill
Pol Roger, NM, Epernay
PN & Chard
T. de C.: Liesse d’Harbonville
Ployez-Jacquemart, NM
Ludes, 1er Cru, Montagne de Reims
70% Chard/30% PN
T. de C.: Rare
Piper Heidsieck, NM, Reims
Chard & PN
T. de C.: Belle Époque/Fleur de Champagne
Perrier-Jouët, NM, Epernay
Brut (50% Chard/45% PN/5% PM), Brut Rosé, Blanc des Blancs
T. de C.: Cuvee Josephine
Joseph Perrier, NM
Chalons-sur-Marne
Mainly Chard
T. de C.: Cuvee Gentilhomme
AR Lenoble, NM
Chouilly, GC, Cote de Blancs
100% Chard
T. de C.: Dom Perignon/Dom Perignon Oenotheque
Moet & Chandon, NM, Epernay
Brut & Brut Rosé
Chard & PN
T. de C.: Nec-Plus-Ultra
Bruno Paillard, NM, Reims
Chard & PN
What does Bollinger’s “RD” stand for?
Recently Disgorged (Récemment Dégorgé). RD is kept in an upside down, vertical position (sur point) for several years, and is disgorged upon being ordered.
T. de C.: La Grand Année
Bollinger, NM
Aÿ, Grand Cru, Vallée de la Marne
T. de C.: Elisabeth Salmon Rosé
Billecart-Salmon, NM
Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, 1er Cru, Vallée de la Marne
T. de C.: Cuvee Perle d’Ayala
Ayala, NM
Aÿ, GC, Vallée de la Marne
80% Chard/20% Pinot Noir
T. de C.: “RD”
Bollinger, NM
Aÿ, GC, Vallée de la Marne
T. de C.: Vieilles Vignes Françaises
Bollinger, NM
Aÿ, GC, Vallée de la Marne
100% Pinot Noir
T. de C.: Celebris
Gosset, NM
Aÿ, GC, Vallée de la Marne
Brut Rosé (vintage), Brut (vintage, 66% Chard/34% PN), NV Blanc des Blancs
T. de C.: Femme de Champagne
Duval-Leroy, NM
Vertus, 1er Cru, Cote des Blancs
Chard & Pinot
T. de C.: Charles de Gaulle
Drappier, NM
80% PN/20% Chard
Urville
T. de C.: Fleur de Passion
Diebolt-Valois, NM
Cramant, GC, Cote de Blancs
100% Chardonnay
T. de C.: Amour de Deutz
Deutz, NM
Aÿ, GC, Vallée de la Marne
100% Chardonnay
T. de C.: Cuvee William Deutz
Deutz, NM
Aÿ, GC, Vallée de la Marne
Blanc/Rosé: PN/Chard/PM
T. de C.: Nicolas Louis Delamotte
Delamotte, NM
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, GC, Cote des Blancs
T. de C.: Louis XV
De Venoge, NM, Epernay
50/50 Chard/Pinot
T. de C.: Grand Vin de Princes
De Venoge, NM, Epernay
100% Chardonnay
T. de C.: Catherine de Medicis
De Meric, NM
Aÿ, GC, Vallée de la Marne
50% Chard/50% PN
T. de C.: Cuvee Commodore
De Castallane, NM, Epernay
Chard & PN
T. de C.: Prestige
Comtes Audoin de Dampierre, NM, Chenay
100% Chardonnay
T. de C.: “Charles VII” NV
Canard-Duchêne, NM
Ludes, 1er Cru, Montagne de Reims
Brut, Brut Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs
T. de C.: Joyau de France
Boizel, NM, Epernay
PN & Chard
T. de C.: Cuvee des Enchanteleurs
Henriot, NM, Reims
Chard & PN
T. de C.: Blanc des Millénaires
Charles Heidsieck, NM, Reims
100% Chardonnay
T. de C.: Cuvee Paradis
Alfred Gratien, NM, Epernay
NV Brut & Brut Rosé
Chard & PN
T. de C.: Brut de Nominée
Jacquart, NM, Reims
NV (vintages declared from 85-90)
Chard & PN
T. de C.: Grand Vin Signature
Jacquesson, NM
Dizy, 1er Cru, Vallée de la Marne
Discontinued after the 2002 vintage
T. de C.: Noble Cuvee
Lanson, NM, Reims
60-70% Chard/30-40% PN
T. de C.: Cuvee R. Lalou
GH Mumm, NM, Reims
Chard & PN
T. de C.: Grand Siècle
Laurent Perrier, NM
Typically NV
Tours-sur-Marne (GC for red grapes), Vallée de la Marne
Approx. 50% Chard/50% PN
Name the 5 districts of Champagne and what grapes each is particularly known for.
Cote des Blancs -- Chardonnay Montagne de Reims -- Pinot Noir Vallée de la Marne -- Pinot Meunier Cote de Sézanne -- Chardonnay Cote des Bars (The Aube) -- Pinot Noir
T. de C.: Brut Prestige
Paul Déthune, RM
Ambonnay, GC, Montagne de Reims
50% PN/50% Chard
T. de C.: Cramant Grand Cru Cuvee Prestige
Guy Larmandier, RM
Cramant, GC, Cote des Blancs
100% Chardonnay
T. de C.: Substance
Jacques Selosse, RM
Avize, GC, Cote des Blancs
NV, 100% Chardonnay
T. de C.: Fine Fleur de Bouzy
Hubert Dauvergne, RM
Bouzy, GC, Montagne de Reims
100% Pinot Noir
T. de C.: Cuvee Fiarce
Chartogne-Taillet, RM
Merfy
60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
T. de C.: Cuvee Prestige
Bonnaire, RM
Cramant, GC, Cote des Blancs
100% Chardonnay
T. de C.: Grand Cuvee
Billecart-Salmon, NM
Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, 1er Cru, Vallée de la Marne
60% Pinot Noir/40% Chardonnay
Prior to 1985, how many Grand Crus were there in the Cote de Blancs? What were they?
Cramant and Avize, the rest were elevated in 1985
What is the most planted grape in Champagne? Second? Third?
Pinot Noir (39%), Pinot Meunier (32%), Chardonnay (29%)
How many liters are in a Rehoboam? When was this size discontinued?
4.5 L, 1989
How many liters/bottles are in a Methuselah?
6L/8 bottles
How many liters/bottles are in a Salmanazar?
9L/12 bottles
How many liters/bottles are in a Balthazar?
12L/16 bottles
How many liters/bottles are in a Nebuchadnezzar?
15L/20 bottles
How many liters/bottles are in a Solomon?
18L/24 bottles
What is the Bordeaux name for a 18L bottle?
Melchior
What is the only AOP that does not need to put “Appellation Controlee (Protegee)” on the bottle?
Champagne
When was Champagne first demarcated? What region was famously left out and when was this adjusted?
1911; The Aube; 1924
What is the CIVC and when was it founded?
Comite Interprofessional du Vin de Champagne – organized by Count Robert-Jean de Vogue of Moet et Chandon in 1941 to organize Champagne producers against the Nazis
What was the first tete de cuvee? In what year?
1921; Moet et Chadon’s Dom Perignon
What is the general soil type of Champagne? What soil dominates in the Aube?
Pourous belemnite chalk – absorbs heat and provides drainage. High limestone content allows vines to dig deep and is linked to high acid; The Aube is dominated by Clay
What is extraction limited to in Champagne?
102 L from 160 kg or 2550 L from 4000kg (the size of the tanks used for pressing)
What is blocage and deblocage in reference to Champagne?
Blocage is the reserve of wine stocks and deblocage is the release of wine stocks for use in future vintage; regulated by the CIVC
What does the CIVC stand for?
Comite Interprofessional du Vin de Champagne
What are the only two 1er crus of Champagne that are classified at 99% on the Echelle de Crus?
Tauxieres (Montagne de Reims) and Mareuil-sur-Ay (Vallee de la Marne)
Name the Grand Crus of the Montagne de Reims, from north to south?
Sillery, Puisieulx, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Verzenay, Mailly, Verzy, Louvois, Bouzy, Ambonnay
What were the traditional grapes of the Champagne region, up until the 16th century?
Gouais, Fromenteau
What are the two different types of Chalk in Champagne? What is the difference? Which is considered superior?
Micraster Chalk, Belemnite Chalk.
Micraster chalk is comprised of fossilized sea-urchins.
Belemnite is comprised of ancient dart-like relatives of the squid.
Belemnite is preferred because it is in the upper to midslope levels, where optimal exposure and water retention is found.
Where is Kimmeridgean Marl found in the Champagne region? What is another name of Kimmeridgean Marl?
This is found in Cote des Bar (The Aube). AKA Virgulien Marl.
How long must Vintage Champagne spend in the cellar from tirage to release?
36 months.
How long must non-vintage or vintage champagne spend on its lees?
12 mos.
What is the term for the Roman chalk tunnels below the streets of Epernay and Reims?
Crayers.
Name the Grand Crus of Vallée de la Marne.
Aÿ, Tours-sur-Marne
Name the Grand Crus of the Côte de Blancs from north to south.
Chouilly Oiry Cramant Avize Oger Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
What percentage of fruit must originate from a grower’s vineyard for their wine to be classified as RM?
95%
What phases is the extracted juice for Champagne production divided into?
1) Vin de Cuvée (the first 2050 L)
2) Vin de Taille (the last 500 L) – richer in pigment and tannin. Usually sold off/used in minor part
3) Rebêche – third extraction is required by law, used to make distillate, not Champagne. Must comprise 1-10% of the total.
What is débourbage?
After pressing for Champagne, this is the stage where the juice is allowed to settled at a cool temperature for 8-15 hours so that the remaining solids (bourbes) can settle and be removed by racking.
Is chaptalization allowed in Champagne?
Yes, it is quite common.
What is the name for the base wine in Champagne?
Vin clair
What is liqueur de tirage?
The mixture of still wine, yeast, sugar, and fining agents added to a Champagne base wine to ignite secondary fermentation
What is the name for secondary fermentation in Champagne?
Prise de Mousse
What is a bidule?
When Champagne is equipped with a crown cap to undergo fermentation, it is affixed with a bidule, a plastic capsule that will capture sediment during remuage (riddling)
How much does the alcohol of Champagne typically rise during secondary fermentation?
1.2-1.3%
Where would the terms “sur latte” and “sur pointe” be applied?
The Methode Champenoise – during secondary fermentation bottles rest on their sides (sur latte), and when riddling is finished, they rest on their heads (sur pointe)
What is pointage?
Historically in Champagne productions, riddlers would briskly shake bottles to precent lees from sticking to sides of bottle, called pointage. New strains of yeast have made this unnecessary.
What is remuage?
Riddling.
Where was the gyropallete invented and how many bottles does it hold?
Spain; 504
Describe two methods of disgorgement.
À la glace – modern method where neck is frozen
À la volée – traditional, manual method
What is another term for dosage? What is it?
Liqueur d’expedition; a liquid mixture of sugar syrup & wine that defines the sweetness/dryness level of the final product
What is another term for the wire cage on a bottle of Champagne?
Muselet
What are the permissible residual sugar levels for the following Champagne designations: Extra Brut Brut Extra Dry Sec Demi-Sec Doux
Extra Brut: 0-6 g/L Brut: 0-12 g/L Extra Dry: 12-17 g/L Sec: 17-32 g/L Demi-Sec: 32-50 g/L Doux: 50+ g/L
What are the bottle aging requirements for vintage and NV Champagne?
NV – 15 months (including 12 months on lees) from date of tirage
Vintage – 36 months (12 months lees) from date of tirage
What is transvasage and when is it allowed?
“Transfer method” – allowed for bottle sizes larger than a Jeraboam and smaller than a half bottle. Remuage is unnecessary, the wine is disgorged into a pressurized tank & filtered.
For vintage Champagne, what percentage of grapes must come from the stated vintage?
100%
What is the maximum percentage of a year’s harvest that may be sold as vintage Champagne?
80%
What is “Club Trésors”
Special Club
When did Special Club originate? How many current members are there? Name 5.
1971; 27; Paul Bara (Bouzy), Gaston Chiquet (Dizy), Pierre Gimmonet (Cuis), Marc Hébrart (Mareuil-sur-Aÿ), Larmandier (Cramant), J. Lassalle (Chigny-les-Roses), Launois (Mesnil-sur-Oger)
What are the two AOPs for still wine in Champagne?
Coteaux Champenois & Rosé de Riceys
What is Rosé de Riceys?
An AOP in the Aube, Champagne for 100% Pinot Noir rosés produced in the village of Les Riceys.
What are the seven AOPs for crémant in France?
Crémant de Bordeaux, de Bourgogne, de Loire, de Limoux, de Die, du Jura, d’Alsace
Define Méthode Ancestrale
Defined by a single fermentation – starts in tank, and then is transferred to bottle mid fermentation. No liqueur de tirage. Dosage is not allowed.
Name three appellations for sparkling wines made from méthode ancestrale.
Bugey Cerdon, Clairette de Die Méthode Dioise Ancestrale & Gaillac Mousseux Méthode Gaillaçoise, Montlouis-sur-Loire Petillant Originel
What is méthode rurale?
Méthode Ancestrale
Name two examples of wines made through the Charmat method?
Prosecco, Asti DOCG (NOT Moscato d’Asti, which undergoes a single fermentation in stainless steel tanks)
What is MCR?
MCR stands for moût concentré rectifié, or concentrated and rectified grape must. The majority of MCR comes from the Languedoc. It is used in Champagne as alternative to liqueur d’expedition.
Arguments FOR: Neutrality, less oxidation
Arguments AGAINST: Terroir, Syrupy
What three grand crus of the Montagne de Reims and less esteemed than the others and why?
Sillery, Puisieulx, and Beaumont-sur-Vesle lie in alluvial flatlands to the north of the “montagne” and thus have very little in the way of elevation and aspect, as well as richer soils.
What three grand crus of the Montagne de Reims have north/northeast facing aspects?
Mailly, Verzy, and Verzenay lie on the northern slopes of the forested plateau that is the Montagne de Reims and thus are oriented slightly more north. Verzy is slightly more east-facing, and thus not quite so well-regarded.
What three grand crus of the Montagne de Reims has south/southeast facing aspects?
Bouzy, Ambonnay, and Louvois like on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims and are oriented more southward. Louvois has a slightly more east facing aspect, and is thus not quite so well-regarded.
What is the largest grand cru of the Montagne de Reims?
Verzenay at 400+ ha.
Name five producers based in Reims.
Charles Heidsieck, Henriot, Krug, Bruno Paillard, Piper Heidsieck, Roederer, Ruinart, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot
At what latitude does Champagne lie?
48th parallel
Which are the better premier crus of the Montagne de Reims, and where do they lie? Name a producer based in each.
Ludes, Chigny-les-Roses, and Rilly-la-Montagne are considered three of the better 1er crus of Montagne de Reims – they are basically a western extension of the grand cru slope that includes Mailly, Verzy, and Verzenay. Bereche and Ployez-Jacquemart are based in Ludes; Cattier and J. Lassalle are based in Chigny-les-Roses; and Vilmart & Cie is based in Rilly-la-Montagne.
Name two producers based in Verzenay.
Michel Arnould, Godme Pere et Fils, Jean Lallement, Pehu Simmonet
Name two producers based in Ambonnay.
H. Billiot, Paul Dethune, Egly-Ouriet
Name two producers based in Bouzy.
Paul Bara, Paul Clouet, Benoit Lahaye, Camille Saves, Jean Vesselle
Though the Cote de Blancs is planted 96% to Chardonnay, where is a majority of the region’s Pinot Noir planted?
Vertus, a premier cru in the southern portion of the region
Name three reasons why the Cote de Blancs is more suited to Chardonnay than the Montagne de Reims.
More dramatic slopes are beneficial for Chardonnay; much thinner top-soils in the Cote de Blancs make the chalk more accessible; and the days tend to be a bit warmer.
Name two producers based in Cramant.
Diebolt-Vallois, Bonnaire, Libert Fils
Name two producers based in Avize.
Agrapart & Fils, Claude Corbon, De Sousa & Fils, Jacques Selosse, Varnier-Farniere
Name two producers based in Oger.
Jose Dhondt, Jean Milan
Name two producers based in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger:
Guy Charlemagne, Delamotte, Salon, Launois, Pierre Moncuit, Pierre Peters
What current grand crus were elevated in 1985?
Four in the Cote de Blancs: Chouilly, Oiry, Oger, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger; one in the Montagne de Reims: Verzy
Name three 1er crus of the Cote de Blancs.
There are nine total: Bergeres-les-Vertus, Cuis, Etrechy, Grauves, Pierny, Val de Marais (Coligny), Vertus, Villeneuve, Voipreux
Where are the best soils of the Vallee de la Marne?
On the eastern edge. As you move further west, soils get heavier, with less limestone, and more clay, sand, and loess.
Why is there a majority Pinot Meunier planted in the Vallee de la Marne?
Pinot Meunier is more frost resistant – it buds late and ripens early – and the Vallee de la Marne – especially as one moves west – is much more prone to frost. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay also have a hard time ripening in clay, which is why the Pinot Noir that is grown in the Vallee de la Marne is mostly in the limestone rich soils east of Epernay.
What is the western-most premier cru of the Vallee de la Marne?
Cumieres
Name three producers based in Epernay?
Dom Perignon, Gosset, Gratien, Pol Roger
What is the most planted grape in Ay?
Pinot Noir, about 80%
What are most aspects in Ay?
South/southwest
Where is Cote aux Enfants, who owns it, and what is it known for?
Cote aux Enfants is a lieu-dit in Ay owned by Bollinger. It is known for Pinot Noir, especially their Coteaux Champenois that shares the same name.
Name three producers based in Ay.
Ayala, Bollinger, Deutz, Rene Geoffroy, Henri Goutorbe
What two grand crus are rated 100% for one grape only?
Chouilly, Cote de Blancs, for white wine only and Tours-sur-Marne, Mareuil-sur-Ay, red grapes only
Name the 1er crus of the Vallee de la Marne?
Which are based NE of Epernay, and which between Ay and Tours-sur-Marne?
There are 7 total: Bisseul, Champillon, Cumieres, Dizy, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Ay, Mutigny. Champillon, Cumieres, Dizy, and Hautvillers are based just NE of Epernay, and to the east, Bisseul, Mutigny, and Mareuil-sur-Ay are located between Ay and Tours-sur-Marne.
What two producers are famously based in Dizy?
Gaston Chicquet and Jacquesson
Name two producers based in Mareuil-sur-Ay.
Billecart, Marc Hebrart, Philipponnat
Name three Champagne houses founded in the 18th century.
Moet, Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, Delamotte, Heidsieck, Bollinger, Jacquesson, Ruinart
Where is the highest point in the Montagne de Reims located?
900ft above sea level between Verzenay and Verzy, it is a national park.
What common geological feature do the grand cru sites of Montagne de Reims have in common?
They are on east facing cliffs of belemnite chalk
Where is Egly-Ouriet’s plot of old vine Meunier located?
Vrigny
What grand cru vineyard is closest to Reims?
Sillery
What direction does the Clos des Goisses face?
Where is it located?
South, the eastern end of Mareuil
Where is Clos des Goisses located?
On the southern slope of the chalk hill Gruguet in the Mareuil-sur-Ay
What side of the slopes are the better vineyards planted between Mailly and Villers-Allerand?
and between Verzenay and Verzy?
Northern slopes and north-eastern slopes respectively
What departments does the Champagne AOP cover?
Aube, Aisne, Marne, Haute-Marne, and Seine-et-Marne
What is the minimum potential alcohol for Champagne AOP base wine?
9%
What is the maximum residual sugar for Champagne AOP base wine?
10 g/L
What grape was planted in significant quantities in the Aube before it was outlawed with the introduction of the AOC system?
Gamay
What are the two spur-pruned methods of vine training allowed in Champagne?
Which is most commonly used for Pinot Noir and which for Chardonnay?
Chablis and Cordon de Royat
Chablis is used for most Chardonnay vines and Cordon de Royat for Pinot Noir.
What are the two cane-pruned methods of vine training allowed in Champagne?
Vallee de la Marne (used for Meunier mostly) and Guyot (single or double)
What changed in sweetness levels for Champagne pre-2010 and post-2010?
Brut went from 0-15 g/L to 0-12 g/L.
Extra Dry went from 12-20 g/L to 12-17 g/L.
Sec went from 17-35 g/L to 17-32 g/L.
Demi-sec went from 33-50 g/L to 32-50 g/L.
Extra brut and doux stayed the same.
What is a “marc”?
Traditional measurement for a press-load of Champagne
What is a “carnet de pressoir”?
Pressing logbook; used at the pressing centers to number and record every marc as well as the potential ABV of the grapes.
How does acid content differ in the vin de cuvee vs. the vin de taille?
Acid content is lower in the vin de taille.
What were the standard presses in Champagne until the 1980s and what is more dominant now?
Manual, vertical presses were standard until the 1980s when mechanized, horizantal presses became more popular. Manual, vertical presses now only account for about 28%.
Define the following in Champagne:: CM RC SR ND MA
CM – Cooperative Manipulant
RC – Recoltant Cooperateur (a grower whose grapes are vinified at a cooperative)
SR – Societe de Recoltants (a firm set up by a union, of related growers who share resources and collectively market several brands)
ND – Negociant Distributeur (middleman, does not make wine)
MA – Marque d’Acheteur (a buyer’s own brand, often a supermarket chain)
Name two cooperatives in Champagne.
Nicolas Feuillatte
Jacquart
What was called “Club de Viticulteurs Champenois” until 1999?
Special Club
Give three commonalities in AOP requirements between the Cremant appellations of France?
- 9 months of lees prior to disgorgement and 12 months total elevage
- Manual harvesting in mandatory
- Traditional method secondary fermentation
- Min. 3.5-4 atmospheres (varies depends on AOP)
What are the required atmospheres of pressure and lees requirements for most methode ancenstrale AOPs of France?
3 atmospheres for all of them, most 2 months on lees (Clairette de Die is 4 months and Montlouis has no lees req’s)
Name three things that the CIVC regulates?
- size of harvest
- press yield
- blocage & deblocage
- protected designations of Champagne
Name three producers of Rose de Riceys?
Guy de Forez
Morel Pere et Fils
Jacques Defrance
Horiot
What styles of wine are made in Coteaux Champenois?
Dry red, white, and rose
What is the min. potential alcohol for Rose de Riceys and Coteaux Champenois?
10%/9%
What department does Rose de Riceys AOP cover?
The Aube
Name three producers of Coteaux Champenois rouge?
Bollinger, Egly-Ouriet, Georges Vesselle, Benoit Lahaye, Paul Bara
What are three requirements for Special Club wine?
- must be a RM producer
- vinification and bottling must occur on the estate
- special club must be top cuvee
- tasting panel must approve base wines and finished wine
- identical label and bottle shape
What is bouvreux?
Second generation of grapes, usually left on the vines
Which strain of yeast is most often used for the 2nd fermentation in bottles?
Saccharomyces bayanus
What is Winzersekt?
In Germany, a sparkling wine usually made by a grower, from one of the 13 anbaugebiete, above 3.5 of pressure
What are the “methode ancestrale” AOP in France? what are their grapes? their pressure? their aging time? their RS?
Bugey Cerdon - Gamay and Poulsard (the last one not 100%) - 3 atm - 2 months - min 40 g
Blanquette de Limoux Methode Ancestrale - 100% Mauzac - 3 atm - 2 months - no min RS (but 10% acquired min)
Gaillac Methode Ancestrale - Mauzac and Mauzac Rose - 3 atm - 2 months - no min RS (but 8% acquired min)
Montlouis-sur-Loire Petillant Originel - 100% Chenin - 3 atm - no other requirement
Clairette de Die Methode Ancestrale - min. 75% Muscat à Petits Grains plus Clairette - 3 atm - 4 month - 35 g
Which two prominent Ay houses age their champagne under cork?
What is the alternative?
Why do so few big houses age their champagne under cork?
Bollinger and Ayala; most houses, especially big houses, use crown caps. You risk cork taint by aging Champagne under cork, which has to be checked for upon disgorgement. But Bollinger feels it provides more complexity and actually LESS risk of unnatural oxidation.
Based on the max. kg/ha yield and the max. press yields, what is the yields in hl/ha for Champagne?
10,400kg/ha is the max. kg yield and the max. press yield is 2550L/4000kg. This is equivalent to 6630L/ha or 66.3hl/ha. Pretty high yields!
How much of a stated vintage must vintage dated wines contain?
100%
How much of a producer’s harvest may be released as vintage wine?
80%
How much of a grower’s own grapes must be contained in their Champagne to label it RM?
95%
When is the soonest that tirage can occur following harvest?
January 1st, the year after harvest
What methods are permitted to make rose Champagne?
Saignee and Blending (blending must occur prior to tirage)
What major houses are known for blocking MLF in their Champagne?
Lanson, Gosset, and Salon
Describe the 2013 vintage in Champagne.
2013 pales in comparison to the stellar 2012, with a cool spring leading to uneven ripening and one of the latest harvests in 20 years. Summer hail caused widespread damage in the summer months but overall the champenois fared better than many of their compatriots. Likely a vintage year.
What are the best vintage of the 1980’s in Champagne?
1982, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990
What is the blend for these cuvees and their first vintage:
- Clos des Goisses
- Winston Churchill
- Clos St Hilaire
Clos des Goisses - 65% PN 35% C - 1935
Winston Churchill - PN > C - 1984
Clos St Hilaire - PN - 1995
What is the min % for vin clair in Champagne?
10 %
Give for these producers their location and the main grape they grow:
- Egly-Ouriet
- Pierre Moncuit
- Drappier
- Francoise Bedel
- Jerome Prevost
- Egly-Ouriet - Ambonnay, Pinot Noir
- Pierre Moncuit - Le Mesnil, Chardonnay
- Drappier - Urville, Aube, Pinot Noir
- Francoise Bedel - Crouttes sur Marne, Vallee de la Marne, Pinot Meunier
- Jerome Prevost - Gueux, Montagne de Reims, Pinot Meunier