France: Champagne Flashcards
What is the climate of Champagne?
Cool Continental
What are the three primary grape varieties used in Champagne and what % of each are planted in Champagne?
Pinot Noir 38%
Pinot Meunier 32%
Chardonnay 30%
True or False: Champagne is the northernmost wine region in France.
True
What is the main river that runs through Champagne?
The Marne River
What are the dominant soils of Champagne?
Chalk and Limestone
What is Liqueur de Tirage?
A combination of sugar and yeast that is added to the wine when it is put into the bottle.
What are the 5 sub-regions of Champagne?
Cote de Blancs
Vallee de la Marne
Montagne de Reims
Cote de Sezanne
Cote des Bar
What are the 7 steps of the Traditional Method?
- Base wine production
- Assemblage of cuvee
- Liqueur de Tirage/ Prise de Mousse
- Sur Lie Aging (Autolysis)
- Remuage/Riddling
- Degorgement/Disgorgement
- Liqueur d’Expedition/Dosage
What is the minimum aging time, sur lie and total, for NV and Vintage Champagne?
All Champagne must spend a minimum of 12 months sur lie.
Total:
NV = 15 months
Vintage = 36 months
What does Champagne’s Echelle des Crus rate?
The Echelle des Crus rates villages as either Premier Cru or Grand Cru.
Describe what the letters RM mean on a bottle of Champagne.
RM = Recoltant-Manipulant
This term describes a producer vinifying only his or her own estate-grown grapes.
Describe what the letters NM mean on a bottle of Champagne.
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.
What does it mean when a bottle of Champagne says “Special Club”
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.
List the Champagne dosage levels from driest to sweetest.
Brut Nature
Extra Brut
Brut
Extra-Sec
Sec
Demi-Sec
Doux
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Billecart Salmon?
Cuvee Elizabeth
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Bollinger?
La Grand Annee
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Drappier?
Charles de Gaulle
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Gosset?
Celebris
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Charles Heidsieck?
Blanc de Millenaires
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Piper Heidsieck?
Rare
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Laurent Perrier?
Grand Siecle
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Moet et Chandon?
Dom Perignon
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Perrier Jouet?
Belle Epoque
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Pol Roger?
Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Louis Roederer?
Cristal
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Ruinart?
Dom Ruinart
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Taittinger?
Comtes de Champagne
What is the Tete de Cuvee of Veuve Clicquot?
La Grande Dame
Who invented Remuage/Riddling?
Madame Clicquot
