Champagne, Sparkling Wine Flashcards
Give two other French synonyms for “méthode Champenoise”.
Méthode traditionelle
Méthode classique
Name the oldest producer in Champagne.
Gosset
Name the oldest sparkling wine house in Champagne.
Ruinart
What was the Veuve Clicquot’s lasting contribution to Champagne production?
Remuage (riddling)
Name the first house to market a “Brut” Champagne?
Pommery
What is was the inaugural vintage for Dom Pérignon?
1921
What organization serves as a mediator between growers and producers in Champagne?
CIVC
How many villages are authorized to produce Champagne AOP wines?
357
What body of water has a strong influence on the climate of Champagne?
Atlantic Ocean
Name 4 viticultural hazards resulting from Champagne’s cold climate.
Frost
Rain
Hail
Fungal disease
What is “bouvreaux”?
The second crop produced when rain interrupts flowering. Rarely ripens, left on the vine
What soil characterizes the valley floors in Champagne?
Micraster
What is the dominant soil type in the Aube?
Clay
Name the 3 principal grapes of Champagne. Which is the most planted?
Pinot Noir (most planted) Chardonnay Meunier
Name the 4 accessory varietals authorized for Champagne AOP.
Pinot Blanc Vrai
Arbane
Pinot Gris
Petit Meslier
Name 4 vine training methods found throughout Champagne.
Cordon de Royat
Chablis
Vallée de la Marne
Guyot (simple, double)
Name the 5 regions of Champagne, and their dominant grape.
Montagne de Reims - Pinot Noir Vallée de la Marne - Meunier Côte des Blancs - Chardonnay Côte de Sezanne - Chardonnay Côte des Bars (Aube) - Pinot Noir
How many villages are rated “Grand Cru” in Champagne?
17
In what 3 regions are all of Champagne’s Crus found?
Montagne de Reims
Vallée de la Marne
Côte des Blancs
How many villages in Champagne are recognized as “Premier Cru”?
42
Name 5 producers of Special Club Champagne.
Pierre Peters Paul Bara Henri Goutorbe Pierre Gimmonet Gaston Chiquet
What two villages received a score of 99% under the former Echelle des Crus? What region(s) are they found in?
Maureil-sur-Aÿ (Vallée de la Marne)
Tauxières (Montagne de Reims)
How many grand cru villages are found in the Montagne de Reims?
9
How many grand cru villages are found in the Côte de Blancs?
7
True/False: Champagne is not required to state Appellation Contrôlée/Protégée on the label.
True
It is the only region in France permitted to do so.
What are the press yields permitted in Champagne?
102 liters/160 kg
2,550 liters/4,000 kg
The first 2,050 liters from pressing is called…?
Vin de Cuvée
The last 500 liters from pressing is called…?
Vin de Taille
What is Rebéche and what is it used for?
A 3rd pressing comprising 1-10% of the total press yield in Champagne. Sold off for distillation, may not be used for Champagne.
What are vin clairs?
High-acid base wines used to create the blend of Champagne before 2nd fermentation is started.
What method is used to produce sparkling rosé wines in Champagne?
Blending
What is a bidule?
A plastic cap inserted in the neck of the bottle to collect lees during remuage.
Where was the gyropallate invented, and how many bottles can it hold?
Spain, 502
How many bottles can be held in a pupitre?
120
What is the 18L bottle called in Champagne? Bordeaux?
Solomon; Melchior
What percentage of a year’s harvest may be sold as Vintage Champagne?
80%
In what year was the Special Club concept introduced?
1971
How many producers are members of the Club Trésors?
29
What is the permitted RS of Brut Nature wines?
0-3 g/L
What is the dosage of Extra Brut?
0-6 g/L
What is the dosage of Brut?
0-12 g/L
What is the dosage of Extra Sec?
12-17 g/L
What is the dosage of Sec?
17-32 g/L
What is the dosage of Demi-Sec?
32-50 g/L
What is the dosage of Doux?
+50 g/L
How many grand cru villages are in Montagne de Reims?
9
List the grand cru villages of the Montagne de Reims.
Sillery, Puisieuix, Beaumont-Sur-Vesle, Verzenay, Mailly-Champagne, Verzy, Louvois, Bouzy, Ambonnay
How many grand cru villages are in Vallée de la Marne?
2
List the grand cru villages of the Vallée de la Marne.
Aÿ, Tour-sur-Marne
Tours-sur-Marne is rated grand cru for [red/white] grapes.
Red
How many grand cru villages are in Côtes des Blancs?
6
List the grand cru villages of the Côte des Blancs.
Chouilly, Oiry, Cramant, Avize, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
How many villages were awarded grand cru status after 1985?
5
What villages achieved grand cru status after 1985?
Verzy (Montagne de Reims), Chouilly, Oiry, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (Côte des Blancs)
Top Vintages 2000-2010.
2002, 2008
Top vintages of the 1990s.
1990, 1996
Top vintages of the 1980s.
1981, 1982, 1985, 1989
Top vintages of the 1970s
1971, 1975, 1976, 1979
