France: Champagne Flashcards

1
Q

What is the climate of Champagne?

A

Cool Continental

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2
Q

What are the three primary grape varieties used in Champagne and what % of each are planted in Champagne?

A

Pinot Noir 38%
Pinot Meunier 32%
Chardonnay 30%

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3
Q

True or False: Champagne is the northernmost wine region in France.

A

True

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4
Q

What is the main river that runs through Champagne?

A

The Marne River

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5
Q

What are the dominant soils of Champagne?

A

Chalk and Limestone

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6
Q

What is Liqueur de Tirage?

A

A combination of sugar and yeast that is added to the wine when it is put into the bottle.

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7
Q

What are the 5 sub-regions of Champagne?

A

Cote de Blancs
Vallee de la Marne
Montagne de Reims
Cote de Sezanne
Cote des Bar

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8
Q

What are the 7 steps of the Traditional Method?

A
  1. Base wine production
  2. Assemblage of cuvee
  3. Liqueur de Tirage/ Prise de Mousse
  4. Sur Lie Aging (Autolysis)
  5. Remuage/Riddling
  6. Degorgement/Disgorgement
  7. Liqueur d’Expedition/Dosage
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9
Q

What is the minimum aging time, sur lie and total, for NV and Vintage Champagne?

A

All Champagne must spend a minimum of 12 months sur lie.
Total:
NV = 15 months
Vintage = 36 months

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10
Q

What does Champagne’s Echelle des Crus rate?

A

The Echelle des Crus rates villages as either Premier Cru or Grand Cru.

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11
Q

Describe what the letters RM mean on a bottle of Champagne.

A

RM = Recoltant-Manipulant

This term describes a producer vinifying only his or her own estate-grown grapes.

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12
Q

Describe what the letters NM mean on a bottle of Champagne.

A

NM = Negociant-Manipulant

This term describes a producer that incorporates grapes that have been purchased from others in their vinification process. They may also be using their own fruit.

P.S.. all the big champagne houses are NMs.

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13
Q

What does it mean when a bottle of Champagne says “Special Club”

A

Special Club is a distinction awarded to a single wine from quality vintages.

It must be made 100% from the awarded vineyard, produced, and aged at the estate.

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14
Q

List the Champagne dosage levels from driest to sweetest.

A

Brut Nature
Extra Brut
Brut
Extra-Sec
Sec
Demi-Sec
Doux

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15
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Billecart Salmon?

A

Cuvee Elizabeth

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16
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Bollinger?

A

La Grand Annee

17
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Drappier?

A

Charles de Gaulle

18
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Gosset?

A

Celebris

19
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Charles Heidsieck?

A

Blanc de Millenaires

20
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Piper Heidsieck?

A

Rare

21
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Laurent Perrier?

A

Grand Siecle

22
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Moet et Chandon?

A

Dom Perignon

23
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Perrier Jouet?

A

Belle Epoque

24
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Pol Roger?

A

Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill

25
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Louis Roederer?

A

Cristal

26
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Ruinart?

A

Dom Ruinart

27
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Taittinger?

A

Comtes de Champagne

28
Q

What is the Tete de Cuvee of Veuve Clicquot?

A

La Grande Dame

29
Q

Who invented Remuage/Riddling?

A

Madame Clicquot