Chapter 9: Champagne Flashcards
Three leading grape varieties of Champagne
- Chardonnay 2. Pinot Noir 3. Meunier (Pinot Meunier)
Four minor grape varieties of Champagne
- Pinot Blanc 2. Pinot Gris 3. Petit Meslier 4. Arbane
Two leading soil types of the Champagne Region
- Chalk 2. Limestone (Limestone Marl)
Leading soil type of the Côte des Bar
Kimmeridgian marl
Five main zones of the Champagne region
- Montagne de Reims 2. Vallée de la Marne 3. Côte des Blancs 4. Côte de Sézanne 5. Côte des Bar
Leading grape of the Côte des Blancs and Côte de Sézanne
Chardonnay
Leading grape of the Côte des Bar
Pinot Noir
Leading grape of the Vallée de la Marne
Meunier
Leading grape of the Montagne de Reims
Pinot Noir (although a good deal of Chardonnay and Meunier is planted here as well)
Three pressings of juice (terms used in Champagne)
First: Cuvée Next: Taille Last: Rebêche
Typical use(s) for the juice from the first pressing (the Cuvée)
Used in the production of premium Champagne
Typical uses for the juice from the second pressing (the Taille)
Primarily used for sweeter wines, such as demi-sec or extra dry Champagne
Typical uses for the juice from the third pressing (the Rebêche)
- Still (non-sparkling) wines 2. Ratafia de Champagne 3. PGI 4. Spirits 5. Vinegar
Minimum bottle aging for Champagne AOC
15 months total, including at least 12 months on the lees
Minimum bottle aging for Vintage Champagne
36 months total, including at least 12 months on the lees
Récoltant Manipulant, or RM
Grower Champagne
Historic classification scheme for the vineyards (villages) of Champagne
Échelle des Crus
CIVC
Le Comité Interprofessionel du vin de Champagne
Producer of Clos de Mesnil
Krug
Producer of ‘Vielles Vignes Françaises’
Bollinger
Number of grand cru villages in Champagne
17
Number of premier cru villages in Champagne
42
Still wines (base wines) to be used in the production of Champagne
Vins clairs
Rosé-only appellation for non-sparkling wines produced in a small area at the southern edge of the Champagne region
Rosé des Riceys AOC
Regional appellation for non-sparkling wines produced in Champagne
Coteaux Champenois AOC
Cédric Bouchard and Jacques Selosse are well-known for this style of Champagne:
Grower Champagne (RM)
