Chapter 6 - Geology Flashcards
Name three important geological periods for the Champagne region.
- Paleogene (Tertiary)
- Cretaceous (Upper)
- Cretaceous (Lower)
- Jurassic (Upper)
What are the Cretaceous periods that are important for champagne?
- Campanian
- Santonian
- Turonian
In which period are the Belemnite fossils found?
Campanian
In which period are the Micraster fossils found?
Santonian
What is Chalk?
Limestone: sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate. From algae and marine organisms.
What are some benefits of the Upper Cretaceous chalk?
- Water management: draining and retaining.
- Reflection of light and heat, aiding ripening.
- Alkaline soils, producing acidic wines.
What are the important Jurassic periods for the Côtes des Bar?
- Tithonian - Portlandian Limestone
- Kimmeridgian - Kimmeridgian Marl
What type of terroir does Mongueux have?
Turonian chalk with Paleogene topsoils.
What benefits do slopes provide for vine growing?
- Optimal exposure to sunlight
- Facilitate good drainage.
- Provide a Tertiary soil mix through “geological geometry” (James Wilson)
Where is the Champagne region geologically?
In the Paris Basin.
What are the deposits in the Paris Basin in the Triassic period?
Gypsum, Rock Salt, Sandstone.
What are the deposits in the Paris Basin in the Jurassic period?
Sandstone, Limestone.
What are the deposits in the Paris Basin in the Cretaceous period?
Chalk, Clays, Sands
What are the deposits in the Paris Basin in the Tertiary period?
Sands, Marls, Lignite Clays.
How big is the Paris Basin?
54,000 square miles.
25% of France.
When was the Paris Basin formed?
250-270 million years ago
Are the soils of Champagne sedimentary?
Yes.
What vineyard areas are contained within the Côte de L’Île-de-France?
- Côte des Blancs
- Montagne de Reims
- Sézanne
What vineyard areas are contained on the Côte de la Champagne?
- Vitry-le-François
- Montgueux
What vineyard areas are found on the Côte des Bar?
- Barséquanais
- Bar-sur-Aube
Which is is more intense for sunlight?
A. The plain
B. East, southeast, or south facing slopes
B. East, southeast, south facing slopes.
When was most of the topsoil deposited in Champagne?
At the end of the last Ice Age.
What are the two primary sub-soils?
- Chalk
- Limestone-rich marl.
How many litres of water can chalk hold per cubic meter?
300-400 litres
When was the chalk of Champagne formed?
During the Cretaceous period, 145-65 million years ago.
What is the chalk plain in Champagne called?
- “Dry Champagne” - James Wilson
What subsoil is found in the Aube?
Kimmeridgean marl. A limestone-clay base.
In which other vineyard areas are the Kimmeridgean soils found?
- Chablis
- Loire Valley (Sancerre etc).
What soils are found in the Vallée de la Marne and the Val de Reims?
Sands , clays and marls. Some pockets of chalk.
What type of wines can clay soils produce?
Mineral-rich. More time is needed ageing the wine to express the full flavour/aromas.
What type of wine can sandy soil produce?
Wines with more overt fruit flavours and aromas. They can be ready to drink sooner.
What soils are in the vineyards of the Côte de Sézanne?
A mix of chalk and clay.
Paleogene soils intersect Campanian chalk (Belemnite and Micraster).
What fossil is found in Belemnite chalk?
A dart-like relative of today’s squid.
What fossil is found in Micraster chalk?
Sea-urchins.
Is Belemnite chalk better than Micraster chalk for growing vines?
No. One is not “better” than another. There are no significant mineral or physical differences between them.
Why has the two types of chalk ended up in different positions in the vineyards?
The fracturing of the soil as result of earth upheavals positioned the two types of chalk layers in different parts of the slopes. Belemnite at the upper to mid-slope which is ideal for moisture retention and sun exposure.
Where is the Micraster chalk found
Where the slope begins to flatten.
What fossil is found in Kimmeridgean marl?
A type of oyster.
How many river valleys are there in the Barséquanais?
Five.
L’Arce
L’Ource
La Seine
La Laignes
La Sarce
All creating slopes of different exposures
How many river valleys are there in the Bar-sur-Aubois?
Two river valleys
L’Aube
Le Landlon
Cooler than the Barséquanais
Name the important Paleogene (Tertiary) periods for the Champagne region?
- Oligocene - Rupelian
- Eocene - Bartonian.
Lutetian.
Ypresian. - Paleocene - Thanetian
Where are Sparnacian soils found?
They are widespread across the Montagne de Reims and the Vallee de la Marne. (54.4 to 55.5 million years old)
Sparnacum was the latin name for Epernay.
What geological period are Sparnacian soils from?
Yprasian.
Clays, sands, limestones and a large amount of lignite.
