France - Champagne Flashcards
Can you call a sparkling wine Champagne if it’s not from Champagne, France?
No, of the wine isn’t made from Champagne, France it legally can’t be called champagne. It can be called mèthode traditionalle or mèthode classique
Yeast goes dormant at what temp?
50 degrees Fahrenheit
What is the method of champagne used to make sparkling wine from Champagne, France?
Mèthode Champenoise
What are the two separate fermentations involved in Mèthode Champenoise?
- Creating a still wine (Vin Clair)
2. In a bottle create and trap carbonation
What is the soil type of Champagne?
Limestone with undertones of clay, sand and marl
Where is Champagne located?
NorthEastern France - 90 miles from Paris
What is assemblage?
Process of blending done by the cellar master to make a house blend
What are the two main rivers of Champagne?
Velse River - Montage de Reims
Marne River - Valle de la Marne
What is the weather type of Champagne, France?
Cold, wet, and damp
What are the two main cities in the region of Champagne?
Reims
Èpernay
What region in champagne does the city of Reims reside in
Montage de Reims
What region is closest to the city of Epernay?
Valle de la Marne
If a champagne is 100% Chardonnay which region was it probably produced in?
Côte de Blancs
If a champagne is 100% Pinot Noir which region was it probably produced in?
Montage de Reims
What are the two forms of pressing champagne grapes?
Cuveè - first pressing
Taille - second pressing, add with cuveè to make vintage or nonvintage champagne
What are the 5 regions of Champagne?
North to south
- Montage de Reims
- Valle de la Marne
- Côte de Blancs
- Côte de Sèzanne
- The Aube
What are the Grand Cru villages of Montage de Reims?
Sillery
Puisieulx
Mailly - Champagne
Verzenay
Beaumont - sur - velse
Verzy - added in 1985
Louvois
Bouzy
Ambonney
What are the Grand cru villages of Valle de la Marne?
Aÿ - Champagne
Tours -sur - Marne - red grapes only
What are the Grand Cru villages of Côtes de Blancs?
North to South
Chouilly - white only, added in 1985
Oiry - added in 1985
Cramant
Avise
Oger - added in 1985
Le- Mensil-sur-Oger - added in 1985
What is Remuage?
This is the process where the bottle is lightly shaken (either by hand or machine) in a way to gather the spent lees in the bottle towards the neck of the bottle
When no sugar is added and the wine is bone dry it is called?
Brut Nature
A minimal amount of sugar is added that is barely perceivable, causing the wine to be dry. This is the most popular style of Champagne produced?
Brut
Some sugar is added, making the wine off dry. The second most popular style of Champagne?
Extra Dry or Extra Sec
What are Champagne vineyards called?
Houses
What grape is a clone of Pinot Noir?
Pinot Meinsiur
What characteristic does Chardonnay have in sparkling wines?
Finesse
What characteristic does Pinot Meunièr have in Sparkling wine?
fruit character
What role Characteristic does Pinot Noir have in sparkling wines?
Weight and Structure
Primary grapes used to make Champagne in Montage de Reims?
Pinot Noir
Pinot Meunier
Primary grapes used to make Champagne in Valle de la Marne?
Pinot Meunier
Primary grape used to make Champagne in the Cote de Blancs?
Chardonnay
Primary grape used in the Côte de Sezanne to make Champagne?
Chardonnay
Primary grape used to make Champagne in the Aube?
Pinot Noir
The dead deposit of dead yeast or residual yeast and other particles that precipitate, or are carried by the action of “fining”, to the bottom of a vat of wine after Fermentation and aging is called?
Lees
What is the most common champagne style?
Non Vintage
Expelling the sediments from the title after Remuage is called?
Disgorgement
What grape accounts for the largest acreage in Champagne?
Pinot Noir
What is the most southerly region in Champagne?
The Aube
Which of the following methods involves a single fermentation that begins in tank but concludes in the bottle?
Mèthode Ancestrale
If a champagne is Blanc de Noir it is 100% what?
Black grapes but mainly Pinot Noir
If a champane is Blanc de Blanc it is 100% what?
Chardonnay
Louis Roederer produces the prestige cuveè “Dom Perignon”?
False - the Tete de Cuveè for Louis Rederdor is Cristal
The number of grams of sugar added after disgorgement is called?
Liqueur D’expedition also known as Dosage
What is another name for Dosage?
Liqueur D’Expedition
What is Liquer de Tirage?
Before the second fermentation the addition of wine, sugar and yeast
What are the steps of Method Champenoise?
Harvest
Pressing Grapes
Fermentation
Assemblage - Making Still Wine
Liqueur de Tirage
Second Fermentation
Aging
Riddling
Degorgement
Liqueur D’ Expedition (Dosage)
Recorking
How many bottles are on a Pupitre?
60 bottles
How many bottles does a Gyropallete hold?
504 bottles
What is the minimum aging for nonvintage wine?
15 months
What is the minimum aging for Vintage wine?
36 months
What is the name of the type of sparkling wine of it has a residual sugar level of 0-12 grams per liter?
Brut
What is the name of the type of sparkling wine of it has a residual sugar level of 0-3 grams per liter / no added Dosage?
Brut Nature / Non Dose
What is the name of the type of sparkling wine of it has a residual sugar level of 12-17 grams per liter?
Extra Dry
What is the name of the type of sparkling wine of it has a residual sugar level of 17-32 grams per liter?
Sec
What is the name of the type of sparkling wine of it has a residual sugar level of 32-50 grams per liter?
Demi - Sec
What is the name of the type of sparkling wine of it has a residual sugar level of 50 + grams per liter?
Doux
What is the largest champagne bottle size on the market
Solomon 18 L / 24 bottles
What are some common Champagne aromas?
Apple
Toast
Citrus
Yeast (Bread Dough)
Hazelnuts / Walnuts
What is the oldest sparkling Champagne House?
Ruinart - established in 1729 as a sparkling wine house
Who developed the formula for secondary Fermentation?
A pharmacist named Andre Francois along with Jean - Antoine Chaptal (chaptalization researcher)
Who created the first brut champagne?
Pommery in 1874
What is special about Champagne labeling?
They are the only appellation that is not required to state AOP/AOC on the label
How and why was the CIVIC created?
It was formed during Nazi occupation in 1941 by Count Robert Jean de Vogue of Moët to protect the interest of the Champenois from the Nazis
What was the first vintage of Dom Perignon?
1921
What is belemnite chalk?
Derived from cephalopods
What is micraster chalk?
Derived from sea urchins - common in the Valley
What is the most dominant soil type in the Aube?
Clay
What pruning methods are allowed in Champagne?
Cordon de Royat
Chablis
Valle de la Marne
Guyot (single and double)
What grapes other than the major 3 are permitted in Champagne?
Pinot Blanc Vrai
Abrane
Pinot Gris
Petit Meslier
What is the pressing limit enforced by the CIVIC since 1993?
102 L per 160kg of grapes
2,550L per 4,000kg of grapes (size of coequard press) also called a Marc
What does blocage and deblocage mean?
Blocage - the reserve of wine stocks for use in future vintages
Deblocage - the release
What is a matriculation number?
A number assigned to each producer by the CIVIC
What does NM mean on a Champagne label?
Negoicant Manipulant
- a house that purchases grapes or base wine. They may also own their own vineyards
What does RM mean in a bottle of champagne?
Recoltant Manipulant
- A grower producer who makes wine from estate fruit 96% must come from their own vineyards
What does CM mean?
Cooperative Manipulant
- A grower cooperative that produces a wine under one brand
What does RC mean?
Recoltant Cooperateur
A grower whose grapes are vinified at a co-operative but is labeled as their own brand
What does SR mean?
Societe de Recoltants
- a firm, not a co-operative, of growers often related who pool their resources to vinify their wines and market them under several brands
What does ND mean?
Negociant Distributer
- a middleman company, that distributes Champagne that they did not make
Where was Dom Pérignon cellar master
The Abbey of Hautvillers from 1668 til 1715
What does pétillant mean
Semi Sparkling
What does Demi Mousseux mean
Crémont
What is the oldest champagne house still in operation today
Gosset - established in 1584, was founded as a still wine producer
Who is Madame Barbe - Nicole Ponsardin
The Vueve Cliquot
What did Madam Barbe Nicole Ponsardin pioneer once she took over the house of Cliquot
The development of the pupitre
What was the name of the first Brut champagne produced by Pommery in 1874
Pommery Nature
What region was removed from champagne in the realigning of Champagne in 1908
The Aube (Cote de Bars)
When was The Aube reinstated as a full Region of champagne
1927
When was champagne enshrined into the AOC / AOP
1936
What is the Commission de Châlons
Founded in 1936 in Champagne as a consortium of growers and merchants to develop quality standards and regulate pricing
What are some of the wars that have taken place in or around Champagne
Hundred Years War
16th Century Religious Conflicts
Thirty Years War
World War I
World War II
How many villages are authorized to grow grapes for Champange
357
Pinot Noir is the prominent grape in what districts in Champagne
Montage de Reims
Côte des Bars (The Aube)
Chardonnay is the dominant grape of what districts in a Champange
Côte de Sézanne
Côte des Blancs
Pinot Meunier is the primary grape for what District in Champange
Vallée de la Marne
What directions are the slopes facing in Côte des Blanc
Southeast
East
Who can recieve Cru status in Champagne
Cru status is awarded to entire villages in Champagne , rather than individual vineyards or properties
How many Grand Crus are in Champagne
17
How many premier Crus are in Champagne
42
What does the CIVIC regulate
- Size of harvest
- Authorizes blocage and deblocage
- Safeguards the protected designation of Champange
What is the percentile system by which villages or Crus of champagne appellations are rated
Échelle de Crus
If a village achieved the maximum échelle (“scale”) of 100 in Champagne what was it classified as
Grand Cru
If a village achieved an échelle of 90 to 99 they are classified as
Premier Cru
What were the only Premier Cru Villages with a 99% ranking
Mareuil - sur - Ay - Vallée de la Marne
Tauxières - Montage de Reims
Cuis - Cote Des Blanc
Villages in Champagne with a rating below 90 were classified as
Crus
Large Champange houses such as :
Möet et Chandon
Louis Roederer
Vueve Clicquot Ponsardin
Tattinger
Pol Roger
Perrier - Jouët
Mumm
Laurent - Perrier
All fall under what type of champagne produced
Négociant Manipulant
What is a MA
Marque d’Acheteur - a buyers own brand, often a large supermarket chain or resturant that purchases Champagne and sells it under its own label
The vin de cuveè while pressing accounts for the first __________ liters of Juice
2,050 liters
The vin de taille when pressing grapes for champagne accounts for following __________ liters, following the extraction of the vin de cuveè juices
500
During the primary fermentation of the still wine during the making of champagne, what type of barrels are used
Stainless Steel
Oak - some used but new wood is used as well
What is the heart of the Méthode Champenoise process
The second fermentation
What is Prise de mousse
French for Second fermentation
What type of bottle cap is used during the second fermentation
A crown cap
What is a bidule
A plastic capsule that captures the sediment during Remuage
How long does the second fermentation process last
Up to 8 weeks
During the second fermentation the carbon dioxide creates a pressure inside the bottle of _______ to ______ atmosphere
5 to 6 atmospheres
What is it called when each bottle is briskly shaken in order to prevent the sediment from sticking to the sides of the bottle
Pointage
What is dégorgement à la glace
The dulling the neck of bottles into a freezing brine solution
What is dégorgement à la volée
An older method of disgorgement
The same as dégorgement à la glace except the release of the sediments doesn’t take place in frozen liquid
What is in the mixture of dosage
Sugar syrup and wine
What is the minimum months non vintage champagne can be aged
15 months
What is the minimum months vintage champagne can be aged
36 months
What is a piccolo
A quarter champagne bottle
187 ml
What is a Demi
A half bottle of champagne
375 ml
What is the size of the standard champagne bottle
750 ml
What is a magnum
2 bottles - 1.5 ml
What is a jeroboam
3L - 4 bottles
What is a Rehoboam
4.5 L - 6 bottles
When was Rehoboam discontinued
In 1989
What is Methuselah
6L - 8 bottles
What is Salmanazar
9L - 12 bottles
What is Balthazar
12L - 16 bottles
What is a Nebuchadnezzar
15L - 20 bottles
What is a Solomon
18 L 24 bottles
What is the maximum amount of a years harvest may be sold as vintage Champagne
80%
Comtes de Champagne is the Tete de Cuveè for what house
Tattinger
Cristal is the Tete de Cuveè for what house
Louis Roederer
Grand Siècle is the Tete de Cuveè for what house
Laurent - Perrier
Belle Épique is the Tete de Cuveè for what house
Perrier - Jouët
Cuveè Sir Winston Churchill is the Tete de Cuveè for what house
Pol Roger
Dom Ruinart is the Tete de Cuveè for what house
Ruinart
La Grande Dame is the Tete de Cuveè for what house
Vueve Clicquot
What are Coteaux Champenois and Rosé de Riceys
The still wine appellations within Champagne
What type of wines are made in Coteaux Champenois
Red wine 🔴
White wine ⚪
Rosé ⚪🔴
What is the leading grape for wines are made in Rosé de Riceys
Pinot Noir
Where is Les Ricey
A Cru village in the Aube
How many AOPs produce Crémont wines produced by in the traditional method and what are they
7
Crémant de Bordeaux
Crémant de Bourgonge
Crémant de Loire
Crémant de Limoux
Crémant de Die
Crémant du Jura
Crémant d’Alsace
What are the 3 appellations in Loire Valley that use the traditional method
Vouvray
Montlouis - sur - Loire
Saumur
What are the appellations in Savoie that use traditional method
Vin de Savoie
Seyssel
Where in Italy are the best traditional sparkling wines produced
Lombardy
Franciacorta DOCG
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico
True or False
All Spanish Cava is made in the traditional method
True
True or False
All German Sekt is made in the traditional method
False - only the highest quality
Where is the White Cliffs of Dover and what type of sparking wine do they make
United Kingdom
Traditional method
Nyetimber
Ridge view Estate
These are top producers of what and they are from where
Sussex (United Kingdom) and method traditional sparkling wines
What is the leading house of method traditional in South Africa and what do they call their method
Graham Beck - Cap Classique
What is the oldest form of the sparkling winemaking procedure
Méthode Ancestrale
Is liqueur de triage neccrssary in Méthode Ancestrale
No, the yeast continues to ferment the remaining sugars in the bottle, giving the wine its sparkle
Is dosage allowed in Méthode Ancestrale
No
Who invented the Charmat method
Eugene Charmat in 1907 in France
How many atmospheres does sparkling wine reach in the charmat Method
5 atmospheres
What is the cheapest method of sparkling winemaking
Carbonation - simply injecting carbon dioxide into the still wine
What is the name of the still wine that makes champagne
Vin Clair
What does atmospheric pressure mean
A measure of atmospheric pressure:
1 atmosphere = 15 pounds per square inch
The average internal pressure of a bottle of Champagne is six atmospheres
Keep Gringing!
Don’t give up!
What are the 5 departments of Champagne
Aisne Aube Seine et Marne Haut Marne Marne
Which department accounts for the most planting of vines in Champagne
Marne at 66%
How many villages make up champagne
330 villages
How many grand crus are their in Champagne
17
How many premier crus are there in Champagne
42
What directions do most slopes face in Champagne
Predominantly south, east and southeast- facing slopes
Pinot Noir is dominant in what areas in Champagne
Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Bar.
Meunier is dominant in what areas of Champagne
Vallée de la Marne
Chardonnay is the dominant grape of what area in Champagne
Cote Des Blancs
What percentage of Pinot Noir is grown in Champagne
Pinot Noir makes up 38%
What percentage of Meunier is grown in Champagne
Meunier makes up 32%
What percentage of Chardonnay is grown in Champagne
Chardonnay makes up 30%
What are some classic flavours of champagne
Toast Baked Bread Biscuits Pastries Grilled Nuts
What are the 3 legal stages where you can use sugar in Champagne
- Chaptalisation (ours during the still wine process)
- Liqueur de tirage
- Liqueur d’expédition
What is Boues de ville (also known as Gadoues)
The dominant fertilizer used in Champagne from the 1960’s til 1998
The fertilizer was a combination of trash, plastic and crushed glass
What is the dominant fertilizer soil addition in champagne
Wood Chips
What is a geological blend
A blend that is based on grapes that come from a similar soil instead using a variety of terriors to make a house style
Pascal Agrapart is known for using this style in champagne
What is the Maillard Reaction
A process involving the interactions of amino acids with the addition of sugar in the wine
This reaction is what gives champagne those traditional aromas and flavors of bread, yeast and dough
What is the disadvantage of using wood chips as a fertilizer
Changes the nitrogen balance of the soil
The chips smother the soil
Negatively impacts life in the soil
Can bring new fungi that are not indigenous to the region
What are some advantages of using wood chip fertilizers
They give the soil more structure
Help minimizes erosion
And allows the vineyard workers to drive trackers across the vineyard in wet weather
What is Massal Selection
Seeks to identify vines that produce the finest grapes
Note: French wine growing term for the practice of replanting new vineyards with cuttings from exceptional old vines from the same (or nearby) property.
What is Réseau Matu
A network created to monitor grape ripening
Note: (ripening observation network). Consisting of volunteer professionals – winegrowers, vineyard managers, House managers, etc – the Réseau Matu monitors ripening in 404 vineyard plots that represent the Champagne vineyard as a whole.
- based upon their testing they create a harvest schedule for these selected vineyards
Who invented the Pupitre
Madam Barbe Nicole Cliquot Ponsardin
Cellermaster Antoine De Müller
Who invented the Muselet
Adolphe Jacquesson
What is a Muselet
The wire cage that holds the champagne cork firmly and stops it from being pushed out by the gas pressure in the bottle
What is Sucre - Oenomètre
Created in 1836
A device that allows winemakers to measure the amount of sugar in their wines quickly and simply
Who invented the Sucre - Oenomètre
Jean Baptiste François
What is Prisse de Mousse
Created in 1831
The quantity of sugar required for the secondary fermentation in the bottle
Also known as Reduction François
Rich, powerful, and blended champagnes are the characteristics of what region in champagne
Montagne de Reims
Fruity, easy drinking Pinot Meunier are the characteristics of what region in champagne
Vallee de la Marne
Elegant and zippy chardonnay are the characteristics of what region in champagne
Cote de Blanc
Soft and easy drinking pinot noir are the characteristics of what region in champagne
The Aube
What bodies of water are located to the northwest of the region of champagne
North Sea and the English Channel
How much sunlight does the region of champagne receive a year
1,650 hours of sunlight annually
What is the average temperature a year in champagne
52 degrees
How many acres of vines are in Champagne
84,000 acres
What is method perpetualle
a solera style system used in champagne where winemakers store in a single barrel a particular vineyard over the course of years to create the perfect cuvee
What three rivers are apart of the Montagne de Reims
Ardre , Velse, and Marne River
Massif de St Thierry
Vesle et Ardre
Grande Montagne de Reims
Monts de Berru
These are the sub regions for what region in champagne
Montagne de Reims
What sub region in Montagne de Reims is located northwest of the city of Reims and is known for its sandy soils
Massif de Saint Thierry
What is the name of the road in Montagne de Reims that goes from north to south that acts like a dividing line between Reims and Epernay
D951
What is the small area east of Reims that is isolated and is on a little known hill known chalk capped by sand, limestone, and clay
Monts de Beru
What are the characteristics of the Mountain wines made in Montagne de Reims
They are more rigidly structured
What are the characteristics of River wines made in the Montagne de Reims
More expansive breadth due to the soils and climatic conditions in location closer to the Marne River
What are some characteristics of wines from Bouzy
High ripeness, full bodied wines due to warmer terrior, south facing slopes,
What is the soil type of Bouzy
a hard bedrock of chalk with a variety of different top soils
Riceys -Haut, Riceys Haute - Rive, Riceys - Bas are three small villages that form what appellation in THE AUBE?
Rose des Riceys
What was the most planted grape in the Aube prior to World War II
Gamay
the sub regions of:
- Bar sur Aubois
- Bar Sequanais
- Montgueux
make up what area in Champagne
Cote de Bar (The Aube)
Cedrid Bouchard Marie - Courtin Dosnon Fleury Bertrand Gautherot {Vouette et Sorbee} Oliver Horiot Jacques Lassaigne Serge Mathieu Ruppert - Leroy
These are the leading growers from what region in champagne
The Cote des Bar (The Aube)
What event caused belemnite fossils to be found in the soils of champagne
Ancient Earthquakes
What does the belemnite chalk do for the vineyards
it moderates the soil temperature as it absorbs the heat throughout the day and gradually releases it at night
Good for Drainage of water
What is the main top soil in The Aube is
Kimmeridgian Clay with a surface layer of gravelly limestone
What are does kimmeridgian clay do for the vineyard
Drains the soil very well but not as good as effective as chalk
Minerality, Salinity and stone describes the taste of what type of wines from where in Champagne
The Aube
Chalkiness describes the taste of what type of wines from where in Champagne
Marne
What is the average annual temperature in Champagne
50 degees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius)
Epernay sets exactly at what parallel
49th Parallel
Side note - same latitude as Vancouver , BC and farther north than Paris, Vienna, Beijing, and pf Japan.
Weather in Champagne is similar to where in the United States
Pacific Northwest United States
What is the vine training style used for Chardonnay
Chabis
What is the vine training style used for Pinot Noir
Cordon de Royet
What is the vine training style used for Meunier
Vallee de la Marne
What advantage does adding wood chips to the soil do for the vineyards
- gives the soil more structure
- Minimizing erosion
- Also allows vineyard workers to drive trackers across the vineyards during wet weather
What region in champagne has:
- 29,500 planted acres
- 5221 growers
Grape production break down
Pinot Meunier 61%
Pinot Noir 23%
Chardonnay 16%
Vallée de la Marne
What region in champagne has:
- 20,500 planted acres
- 3,944 growers
Grape production breakdown
Pinot Noir 41%
Pinot Meunier 34%
Chardonnay 25%
Montage de Reims
Coteaux Sud d’Epernay Grand Vallée de la Marne Condé Vallée de la Marne Rive Gauche Vallée de la Marne Rive Droite Vallée de la Marne Ouest
Are all the sub regions of what area in Champagne
Vallée de la Marne
From east to west
Bisseuil Mareuil - sur - Aÿ Avenay - Val - d’Or Mutigny Aÿ Dizy Champillon Hautvillers Cumières
These are the premier cru villages of what region in Champagne
Vallée de la Marne
What sub region of Vallée de la Marne has:
- number of villages:9 ( all the premier crus)
- vineyard area: 4,517 acres (1,828 hectares)
- Grape varieties:
65% Pinot Noir
19% Chardonnay
19% Pinot Meunier - known for: Expansive, full bodied champagnes, most notably from Pinot noir, although some excellent Chardonnay can be grown here, too.
The Grande Vallée
What house makes the famous Clos de Goisses
Philipponnat
What village is Clos de Gloisses located
Mareuil-sur-Aÿ
What year and who purchased Clos de Goisses
1935 by Pierre Philipponnat
What are some fun facts about Clos des Gloisses
- one of the first single vintage champagnes ever produced
- originally started as a chardonnay based wine but after 1964 has become a pinot noir dominate wine
- has been produced since 1935
- only has been omitted in 12 vintages from 1935 - 1988. After 1988 has been produced every year
When was the first vintage of Clos de Gloisses
1935
Mareuil - sur - Aÿ is located exactly in the Grand Vallée
Located along the northern bank of the Marne River east of Épernay
Grand Vallée is considered where exactly location wise
Everything east of Cumières
Which way do most of the vineyards face in Grand Vallée de la Marne
South facing slopes overlooking the plains
What is the dominant soil type in Grand Vallée de la Marne
Blend of clay and chalk soils
What famous house sources their pinot noir from the famous site of Clos Saint Hilaire
Billecart - Salmon
What are some characteristics of the style of Pinot Noir that comes from Clos Saint Hilaire
Powerful, Assertive, ripe fruit and broad richness due to its clay soils
Where is Clos Saint Hilaire located
Mareuil Sur Äy
What grape makes up 90% of the vines in Ay
Pinot Noir
What directions do the vineyards face in Ay
South
What is the main soil type soil found in Ay and it’s characteristics
Cretaceous chalk and Sedimentary Slope wash
- subtle, complex , powerful and finesse
What is the most prominent champage house in Ay
Bollinger (James Bond favorite)
Where is the vineyards of Chaudes Terres and Clos Saint Jacques located
Ay
Chaudes Terres and Clos Saint Jacques grows what grapes and what makes them so unique
Pinot Noir
- They have parts that have not been effected by Phylloxera
What houses uses the ungrafted Pinit Noir for its Tete de Cuve
Bollinger - Vieilles Vignes Françaises
What is La Côte Faron
A steep south facing vineyard in Ay that produces Pinot Noir
What is Ay La Côte Faron
A single vineyard champagne produced by Anselme Selossse since 1994
- 100% Pinot Noir
- original name was “ Contraste” until 2003
- made in the solera style
What is Vauzelle Terme
A famous vineyard located on the western edge of Ay
Planted in 1980
Chalky Soil
Organically Farmed
- also a famous single vineyard champagne “Ay Vauzelle Terme” produced by the Chiquet brothers ( Laurent and Jean Herve) of Jacquesson
What grapes makeup Vauzelle Terme
100% Pinot Noir
When was the first vintage of Vauzelle Terme produced
1996
What is the latest vintage of Vauzelle Terme
2008
Where is the La Leon site located
Across the road from Vauzelle Terme
Who uses Le Leon Pinot Noir for its famous Cuvee 1522
Philipponnat
Le Leon grapes are known to give what type of characteristics
Spicy and Peppery
What is the soil type of Dizy
Clay, Marl and addition some chalk
- soil is more similar to Vallee de la Marne than the Grand Vallee
What is the dominant grape of Dizy
40% Pinot Noir
37% Chardonnay
23% Meunier
What are the top two houses in Dizy
Gaston Chiquet and Jacquesson
What village is always the first village to ripen in Marne
Cumieres
Harvest in Marne typically begins where
Cumieres
What directions do the slopes face in Cumieres
South and Southeast
What village in Vallee de la Marne wines tend to be generous and forward, yet the chalky soils also give them a great deal of tension
Cumieres
What is the primary grape of Cumieries
Pinot Noir
Rene Geoffroy vineyards are primarly located in what village
Cumieres but their estate is located in Ay
Where is the famous producer Georges Laval located
Cumieries
What producer from Cumieres grows Pinot Noir on the vineyard named Les Longues Violes
Georges Laval
Les Chenes produces some of the best Chardonnay for what producsr?
Georges Laval
Les Chenes has what type of flavor profile
Very ripe, chalky, and always creates rich wines
What direction do the slopes of Les Chenes go
South and southwest
This area is known for:
- river wines wurg ample body abd broad, generous flavors. Meunier is the main grape, is a hardy grape variety tolerant of colder climate. It is also predominant due to the growing area’s frost prone conditions and heavy clay topsoil, which deepens as you move west
The Vallee de la Marne
This area in Champagne has:
81 villages
21,958 acres of vines (8,886 hectares)
Grape Varieties: 72% Meunier, 16% Pinot Noir, 12% chardonnay
Vallee de la Marne
What are some differences between Grand Vallee and Vallee de la Marne
Soil types - Grand Vallee the vineyards along the Marne River east Cumieres are chalkier and more suitable for pinot noir as for Vallee de la Marne the soil becomes richer in clay, with chalk typically buried well below the topsoil.
Grape Varieties: Grand Vallee: Pinot Noir & Vallee de la Marne: Menuier
The Riv Gauche to the southside and the Riv Droite to the north side make up what bank system in what area in Champagne
Vallee de la Marne
This river in Vallee de la Marne has vineyards have south facing exposure with alot of sun and provides better ripening for the grapes
Rive Droite
This vineyard in the Vallee de la Marne vineyards have north facing slopes that typically retain more acidity and creates a more balanced wine
Rive Gauche
What is known to be the biggest problem with the vineyards in Vallee de la Marne and why
Botrytis due to the very cool weather and the slow draining of the clay rich soils, as well as the constant fog in the valley.
What famous producers grows grapes in Vallee de la Marne in vineyard of Les Crayères and what grapes grow there
Benoit Tarlant and he grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
What is the unusual soik type for Les Crayeres and why is it unusual
Chalk and cause typically in the Vallee de la Marne chalk is usually not a top soil it usually us buried under the rich clay soils
What is the prestige cuvee of Tarlant called
Cuvee Louis named after Benoit Tarlant great grandfather
- it is a blend of pinot noir and chardonnay
The village of Leurigny of the Vallee de la Marne is famous for supplying meunier to what famous Grand Marque
Krug
This village in Vallee de la Marne has the following:
- relatively chalky soils
- lies in the valley and gets grear exposure from the sun
- it’s hills are oriented east - southeast
Festigny
Harvest typically begins in what month
Mid September
Why is the decision to harvest very important in Champagne
If you pick too early - you risk underripeness or unpleasantly green flavors
If you pick too late - you risk acidity falling to rapidly
If the weather is wet - you risk potentially getting rot on your grapes
A standard press in Champagne holds how many grapes on average and a fixed quantity is known as a ________?
8,000 pounds ( 4,000 kilograms)
Marc
The most common champagne press producer is ___________?
Coquard
The first 100 liters of juice produced in the press is called __________ and why is it discarded?
Autopressurage - due to the dust and impurities from the surface of the grapes
Each action of the press going down is known as
Serre
The first 3 serres are known as what?
Cuvee
Note:
(not the same term as the blend that makes champagne)
( refers to the first and finest portion of the pressing)
What is the total quantity of juice obtained from the cuvee (pressed)
2,050 liters
What is the 4th thru 6th serre known as
Taille
A taille has a total quantity of _________ juice obtained from the pressing
500 liters
Describe the style of juice that is created from the taille
the taille produces juice with a coarser press with more skin contact
What is the name of the pressing that isn’t allowed to make wine but instead used to male potable or industrial alcohol
Rebeche
What two pressings are usually used to make champagne
Cuvee and Taille
What are some characteristics of the Cuvee (pressing)
Has finesse and is capable of greater longevity
What are some characteristics of the Taille (pressing)
Ripe
Clean
Known to have fruity aromas, that can soften a blend and allow it to show well at an early age
What is the typical type oak used for the barrels that store the Vin Clair
French Oak
What is malolactic fermentation
a bacterial reaction that converts malic acid (green apple like ) to a softer creamier lactic acid
Creates a creamy and buttery flavor
At what temperature is the vin clair stored after blending and why
25 degrees F (-4 degrees Celsius)
- must be held at that temperature for 24 hours or more to precipitate tartrate crystals, which prevents their formation in the bottles later
What is sugar to atmospheric ratio for liqueur de tirage
4 grams of sugar = 1 atmospheric of pressure
what is the standard atmospheric pressure amount for champagne
6
how many grams of sugar are typically added in liqueur de tirage
24 grams of sugar
Using the pruning method of Chablis in Champagne how many spur buds are allowed for Arbanne, Chardonnay, Meunier, and Petit Meslier
5
Using the pruning method of Chablis in Champagne how many spur buds are allowed for Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grid and Pinot Noir
4
The Vallee de la Marne pruning method can only be applied to what grape
Meunier
What is the only approved grey grape in Champagne
Pinot Gris
What type of sugar is used in Liqueur d’Expédition
The sugar used is either beet sugar, cane sugar or rectified concentrated grape must (MCR)
What is the maximum alcohol volume allowed for champagne
13%
How many hectares of vines are present within the terroir of the Champagne AOC
33,500 hectares
Is the maloactic fermentation process compulsory in Champagne
No - Malolactic Fermentation converts malic acid into lactic acid and it can occur during or after alcoholic fermentation. The winemaker can choose whether to complete or arrest the process,depending on the type of characteristics that he or she wishes to add to the champagne
Does pressure in a champagne bottle increase or decrease with a change in temperature?
The pressure is greater than 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) than 12 degrees Celsius (54 degrees Fahrenheit)
Note: The pressure inside a champagne bottle increases with a rise in temperature, which is why a warmer bottle of champagne will lose more wine in opening than a chilled bottle.
What color grapes can be used for Champagne AOC
White, Black, and Grey grapes
Note: 4 white grapes, 2 black grapes, 1 grey grape varieties are recognized for the Champagne Appellation
Who planted the first vineyards in the Champagne Region
The Romans of the 5th century.
Note: The Roman invaders planted the first vineyards in the north east of France at the beginning of the 5th century or earlier
Secondary Fermentation is obligatorily carried out in which size bottles?
All bottles sizes between and including the half bottle and the jereboam.
Note: Secondary Fermentation is obligatory in all bottle sizes between and including a piccolo (Half Bottle) and a 3L Jereboam. It is then possible to use the Champagne present in these bottles to fill the greater or smaller size formats
Can wood chippings be used in making Champagne?
No, the use of wood chippings is not permitted in Champagne.
Note: Using wood shavings or chippings to alter the characteristics of a wine is not allowed in Champagne
How many litres of wines does a traditional Champagne barrel contain?
205 litres
Note: The traditional Champagne barrel contains 205 litres, whereas a Bordeaux barrel contains 225 litres and a Burgundy barrel contains 228 litres
What is the maximum distance separating 2 rows of vines in a Champagne vineyard?
1.5 metres (4.9 feet)
Note: Planting and vines density are both regulated by the Champagne appellation and the maximum distance allowed between two rows of vines is 1.5 metres (4.9 feet)
Jetting is a technique that can be used in which Champagne process?
Disgorgement
Note: Jetting is a modern technique used during the disgorgement process to reduce the quantity of air present between the level of the Champagne in the bottle and the cork, by temporarily increasing the volume of the liquid to force the air out the bottle
Grapes are considered to be ripe for harvesting when the minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume has reached which level?
9% volume
Note: The Champagne AOC has established that grapes can be considered to be ripe when there are 143g of sugar per litre of grape must and the natural alcoholic strength by volume has reached 9%
How much pressure does a bottle of Champagne lose during the disgorging and corking process?
Approximately 1 atmosphere
Note: The prise de mousse will create approximately 6 atmospheres of pressure within the bottle. Around 1 atmosphere will be lost at disgorgement, so the final product will have a pressure of about 5 atmosphere
When the Echelle du Crus creates the grand cru system. How many original grand cru’s were named
12
What year did the Echelle du Crus expand the number of Grand Crus in Champagne
1985
Name the region or regions that the villages were added to the Echelle du Cru Grand Cru system
Cotes de Blanc and Montage de Reims
Name the villages that were added to the Echelle du Crus Grand Cru system
Chouilly, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Oiry and Verzy
What percentage of vines have 100% Grand Cru status
9%
The Aisne department accounts for what percentage of Vines in Champagne
10%
The Marne department accounts for what percentage of Vines in Champagne
66%
The Seine-et-Marne department accounts for what percentage of Vines in Champagne
Less than 1%
The Aube department accounts for what percentage of Vines in Champagne
23%
The Haute - Marne department accounts for what percentage of Vines in Champagne
Less than 1%
Champagne vines are planted at what Altitude
90 to 300 metres ( 295 to 984 feet)
Champagne AOC wines may only be produced
from the fruit of vines in their
third year of growth
two years after planting
Wnat is the maximum spacing of individual vines in Champagne
0.9 - 1.5 metres (2.95 - 4.9 feet)
The total spacing between individual vines and rows in Champagne can’t be more than
2.5 metres ( 8 feet)
How is the date of harvesting decided?
It depends on the ripeness of the grapes
Pinot Noir and Meunier has aromas of
Exotic Fruits (Mango), Citrus Fruits (Mandarin) White and yellowed fleshed fruits, Floral Notes (rose and violets), Red and black berries , and spices
Chardonnay has aromas of
Citrus fruits (lemon), Exotic Fruits (lychee), White Blossom
A champagne of 2/3 years of age will have what type of aromas
A wealth of fresh aromas from different families of vegetal, orange flowers, red berries, mineral notes, pear, citrus fruit, white blossom
A champagne of 6/8 years of age will have what type of aromas
Maturity brings rounder, more intense aromas: Ripe fruits, honey, pastries, candied fruit, dried fruits, cooked fruits, vanilla, and milk caramel
A champagne of 8 years or greater with age will have what type of aromas
The complexity of mature Champagne is expressed through dense aromas: gingerbread, toast, quince, walnuts. mocha, undergrowth
Champagne vine roots can penetrate to a depth of:
7 meters (22 feet)
Vineyards were first planted in Champagne in?
The 3rd Century, in the period of the Roman Empire
Which of the main grape varieties is the most precocious?
Chardonnay
What is the orgin of the name “Meunier”?
The white down underside of the leaves
If you look at the cross - section of a Champagne grape berry what color is the pulp?
White
Topping / Shoot trimming commences?
After trellising in summer
What is the duration of the flowering period in Champagne?
10 days
What is the planting density in Champagne
8000 vines per ha
Champagne wine is exclusively produced from the juice extracted from?
The Pulp
What are the 3 dimensions of blending a non vintage Champagne?
- Different grape varieties
- “Crus”
- Years
When the cellar master is working on the blend, he must anticipate what the most?
The wine’s development, particularly after the “prise de mousse”
Why must Champagne bottles be stored away from the light?
To avoid the off flavors caused by lightstrike
How should you cellar your Champagne bottles after purchase
On their sides or upright
What is the ideal temperature for cellaring your Champagne bottles
Around 10 degree C ( 48 degee F)
Too much humidity in your wine cellar can?
Encourage the growth of mold on the corks and the labels
The onset of ripening, when the grapes change color
Veraison
The stage when the grapes ripen
Maturation
The stage following bloom when the berries begin to form
Fruit set
The stage when the vine makes grapes in bid to reproduce itself
Flowering
The stage when the buds swell and burst open, marking the beginning of new green growth
Budburst
The stage when the green shoots turn brown and lignify, building up reserves
Hardening off
What is the Champagne growers’ worst fear
Spring Frost
In the 17th century, Champagne wine was known as?
Vin des Coteaux (wine of slopes)
Which grape variety is best adapted to heavy - textured subsoil derived from marl, clay, and sandstone
Meunier
What effect does the northern latitude of the Champagne region have on the wines produced there?
It produces low sugar, high acid wines
Why is the sloping, steep terrain in Champagne so conducive to grape growing?
It promotes sun exposure (and with it photosynthesis) and good drainage
What is the main effect on the grapes when the vines receive too much water?
The berries swell too much, sometimes resulting in unbalanced wines
French Appelaation d’Origine Controlee is a certification system that guarantees, in the case of Champagne
Origin and respect for all the rules applying to vinegrowing and winemaking
The VDC acronym stands for:
Viticulture Durable en Champagne (sustainable viticulture in Champagne)
By 2025, the Champagne AOC aims to reduce its carbon emissions by?
25%
Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne is?
A voluntary initiative
In 2010, the weight of a Champagne bottle was reduced by?
65g
How were the inhabitants of Champagne called at the time of the Gauls?
Remi
In the Middle Ages, winemaking was essentially the preserve of?
The religious orders
Champagne wines first became effervescent because?
Effervescence is a natural process, most notably when fermentation is halted in winter then resumes in Spring
When was sought to foster the effervescence in Champagne wines?
In the late 17th Century
Champagne rocketed to success because?
It was the preferred wine of the monarchy and the European nobility
When did Phylloxera spread to Champagne in?
1890
What is Phylloxera
An aphid
In what period did Champagne invest a pressing method for making white wine from black grapes
The second half of the 17th Century
World War I cost the Champagne region?
40% of its vineyard area
Who owns most of the Champagne vineyard area?
The growers
When was the first Champagne Cooperative established
1921
What is it that sets the Champagne wine region apart from others?
The organization of the Champagne industry itself, consisting of the Growers who produce the grapes on the one hand and on the other hand the Houses who make and market two thirds of the wine
What percentage of gobal vineyard acreage is currently represented by the Champagne production zone?
0.5%
What percent of the value of all sparkling wines consumed globally is represented by Champagne?
36%
Approximately how many countries buy Champagne from France?
More than 190
The Champagne winegrowing region currently generates an annual turnover of almost?
5 billion euros
Roughly how many bottles of Champagne are sold each year?
Around 300 million
The baptism of Clovis marked the point of departure for cornonation of the Kings of France in Reims. When did Clovis baptism take place?
496
Approximately how many kilos of grapes are required to produce one bottle of Champagne
1.2 kg
When were the “Champagne Slopes, Houses, and Cellars” added to the UNESCO World Heritage list?
4 July 2015
The Champagne industry today consists of?
16,000 Growers
340 Houses
140 Cooperatives
How many bottles of bubbly are said to lie slumbering in the Champagne cellars?
More than one billion bottles, or equivalent of three shipments
What are the 3 major exports countries? Rank them from Number 1-3
- USA
- United Kingdom
- Japan
The Cote des Blancs region derives its name from:
The Chardonnay grape predominance
The yield from a single vine represents the equivalent of how many bottles of Champagne
1
What is the name of the wire cage with metal cap that holds Champagne corks in place
Muselet
What is the proper way to asses the color of a Champagne wine?
Tilt the glass over a white background
Champagne wine is best enjoyed in?
A glass with a bulbous body and narrow neck
What is the best way to cool a Chamapagne bottle?
Place the bottle in an ice bucket for 20 to 30 minutes
What is the origin of primary aromas such as white flowers or cherries in a Champagne wine?
The grape variety
the terrior
work in the vineyard
In wine tasting terms, what is meant by length
The flavors persistence on the palate
Acidity in Champagne wine is often a sign of
Freshness and “youthful” characteristics
The ideal temperature to serve Champagne is
8-10 degree C (45-50 degree F)
What senses come into play when tasting Champagne wines?
Hearing Sight Smell Taste Touch
What type of Champagne pairs well with Cavier
Preparation: Au Naturel
Blanc de Blancs Brut Vintage
What type of Champagne pairs well with oysters, lobsters, and sea urchins
Preparation: Au Naturel or in Aspic
Brut Nature mainly from Chardonnay, or Brut Blanc de Blancs
What type of Champagne pairs well crayfish, langoustines, scallops
Preparation: Au Naturel or Poached
Blanc de Blanc Brut Vintage
What type of Champagne pairs well with Starters, Fished Based Entrees
Preparation: Warm or Cold
Brut Blanc de Blanc
What type of Champagne pairs well with warm oysters
Preparation: In creme fraiche sauce
Brut Vintage
What type of Champagne pairs well with Fish
Preparation: Poached of Grilled
Brut Blanc de Blanc
What type of Champagne pairs well with Fish
Preparation: With Butter or Cream
Brut Non Vintage (traditional blending) or Brut Blanc de Noirs
What type of Champagne pairs well with Salmon
Preparation: Smoked, In Aspic, marinated or sushi
Brut Blanc de Blanc
What type of Champagne pairs well with Foie Gras
Preparation: Au Naturel or on Toast
Vintage, mainly from black grapes, or Brut Blanc de Blancs of older vintage or aged in oak
What type of Champagne pairs well with Poultry
Preparation: Roast or in a white sauce
Brut Blanc de Noirs or Brut mainly from black grapes
What type of Champagne pairs well with Red or White meat
Preparation: Grilled or with a sauce
Brut non vintage (traditional blending)
What type of Champagne pairs well with White meat
Preparation: Curried, Colombo-style or in a tagine
Rose Brut Vintage
What type of Champagne pairs well with Truffles
Blanc de Noirs or Brut of older vintage, mainly from black grapes
What type of Champagne pairs well with Game
Preparation: Stew, with Mushrooms or chestnuts
Vintage or Rose Blanc de Noirs, Brut of older vintage or aged in Oak
What type of Champagne pairs well with Creamy Cheese
Brut Blanc de Blancs
What type of Champagne pairs well with strong flavoured, blue - veined cheese
Blanc de Noirs or Brut Vintage mainly from black grapes
What type of Champagne pairs well with Goat’s cheese, blue cheese, or strong flavoured cheese
Demi Sec Vintage Rose
What type of Champagne pairs well with desserts
Preparation: Based on Cream, Marzipan, Pistachios or fruits
Demi-Sec white or rose, or Champagne of older vintage
Who invented the Muselet and in what year
AdolpheJacquessonin 1844
Who invented the first vintage style champagne and in what year
Veuve Clicquot in 1810
Who invented the first Rosè champagne
Ruinart
What does Oeil de Perdrix mean and how is it made?
It’s a rose style wine from champagne. It means “eye of the partridge”. It’s style is made by allowing the skins from red grapes to come into contact with the juice producing a pale pink or very delicate amber color.
The aromas are detected and delveop?
Initially on the nose, then on the palate
Avenal -Val-d'Or Bezannes Billy-le-Grand Chamery Chigny-les-Roses Cormontreuil Coulommes-la-Montagne Ecueil Jouy-les-Reims Les Mesneux Ludes Montbre Mouzon-Leroux Pargny-les-Reims Rilly-la-Montagne Sacy Sermiers Taissy Tauxieres-Mutry Trepail Trois Puits Vaudemanges Ville-Dommange Villiers-Allerand Villiers-aux-Noeuds Villiers-Marmery Vrigny
These are premier cru’s from what region
Montage de Reims
Emmanuel Brochet: Les Haut Chardonnay Emmanuel Brochet: Les Hauts Meunier Chartogne - Taillet : Les Barres Egly - Ouriet: Les Vignes de Vringy Marie - Noelle Ledru: Cuvee du Goulte Jerome Prevost: Les Beguines
These are some Iconic Wines from what region?
Montage de Reims
Barnaut Andre Beaufort Bourdaire - Gallois Marc Chauvet Paul Clouet Roger Coulet Roger Coulon Hure Freres Hugues Godme Benoit Lahaye Jean Lallement Benoit Marguet Miniere F&R Mouzon - Leroux Thomas Perseval Perseval - Farge Guillaume Sergent Pehu - Simonnet SoutiranPloyez-Jacquemart Pascal Redon Eric Rodez Camille Saves
These are famous growers from what region
Montagne de Reims
L. Aubry Fils Henri Billiot Francis Boulard Emmanuel Brochet Chartogne - Taillet Andre Clouet R.H Coutier Paul Dethune Egly -Ouriet David Leclapat Marie - Noelle Ledru J Lassalle Margaine Jerome Prevost (La Closerie) Savart Vilmart & Cie
These are the leading growers for which region?
Montage de Reims
Avenay-Val-d'Or Bisseuil Champillon Cumieres Dizy Hautvilliers Mareuil-sur-Ay Mutigny Pierry
These are the Premier Crus’ from what region
Vallee de la Marne
Bereche et Fils Gaston Chiquet Gatinois Geoffory Henri Goutorbe Marc Herbert Laherte Freres Georges Laval Christophe Mignon Mousse Fils R. Pouillon Tarlant
These are the leading growers from what region
Vallee de la Marne
Francoise Bedel Bourgeois - Diaz Didier - Ducos Bruno Gobillard Grumier Michel Loriot Lamiable Henri Mandois Jose Michel Charles Orban Franck Pascal Ruelle Pertois Jean - Marc Seleque
These are growers from what region
Vallee de la Marne
Bereche et Fils: Reflet d'Antan Billecart - Salmon - Le Clos Saint - Hilaire Bolligner - Vielles Vignes Francaises Georges Laval - Chenes Georges Laval - Les Hautes - Cheveres Jacquesson - Ay Vauzelle Terme Krug - Clos d'Ambonnay Philipponnat - Clos des Goisses Tarlant - BAM!
These are Iconic wines of what region
Vallee de la Marne
Bergeres - les - Vertus Val-des-Marais Coligny Cuis Grauves Vertus Villeneuve-Renneville-Chevigny Voipreux Etrechy
These are the Premier Cru’s of what region
Cote Des Blancs
Agrapart Etienne Calsac Claude Cazals Guy Charlemagne Pascal Doquet Veuve Fourny Pierre Gimonnet Larmandier-Bernier A.R Lenoble Jean Milan Pierre Moncuit Pierre Peters Jacques Selosse Ulysse Collin Varnier - Fanniere J.L Vergnon Waris-Hubert
These are leading growers from what region
Cote Des Blancs
Franch Bonvile Le Brun Servenay Corbon Demiere - Ansiot Diebolt-Vallois Jose Dhondt Dhondt - Grellet Doyard Pierre Callot Vincent Couche Gimonnet - Gonet Grongnet Eric Isselee Legras & Haas Alexandre Lenique Lilbert Fils Robert Moncuit Perrot - Batteux Michel Rocourt Saint Chamant Hubert Soreau Suenen Thierry Triolet Vazart-Coquart Vauversin
These are growers from what region
Cote Des Blanc
Agrapart et Fils: Cuvee Venus
Jacquesson: Avize Champ Cain
Larmandier - Bernier: Les Chemins d’ Avise
Pierre Peters: Cuvee Especiale Les Chetillons
Salon: Cuvee S
Krug: Clos de Mesnil Jacques Selosse: Substance
Ulysse Collin: Les Enfers
These are iconic wines of what region
Cote Des Blancs
Vincent Couche Colette Bonnet Devaux Charles Dufour R. Dumont & Fils Nathalie Falmet Pierre Gerbais Coessens Largillier Moutard Piollot Pere et Fils Jean Velut Val Frison
These are growers from what region
L’Aube (Cote de Bar)
Cedric Bouchard: Creux d’Enfer
Jacques Lassaigne: Millesime
Marie Courtin: Concordance
Vouette et Sorbee: Fidele
These are iconic wines from what region
The Aube (Cote de Bar)
Why is the year 1936 important to Champagne
June 29, 1936, champagne has enjoyed a Protected Designation of Origin label (orAppellation d’Origine Contrôlée, abbreviated as AOC).
Its production is limited to the 35,000 hectares that make up the region of Champagne — home to 635 municipalities spread across thedépartementsof Marne, Aisne, Aube, Seine-et-Marne and Haute-Marne — and subject to a strict list of specifications.
Thanks to the 1936 decree, only sparkling wines produced in the Champagne region have the right to display the name “champagne” on their labels.
What producers uses Les Sables? Where is it located and what grape is grown there?
Benoit Tarlant
- Village of Oeuilly in Grand Vallee de la Marne
- 1 acre
- Ungrafted Chardonnay from the 1950’s
What is the name of the single vintage champagne produced from Benoit Tarlant at Les Sables? What year was the first production
La Vigne d’Antan
First Vintage: 1999
What is the western most premier cru in Champagne
Cumieres
What village marks the most western point on the Vallee de la Marne
Saacy -sur-Marne
What is the soil type of the Les Sables vineyard?
Sand and calcareous marl
What grape is the village of Festingy and Leuvrigny known to produce
Meunier
The Flagot River in the Grand Vallee de la Marne flows by what two major villages
Festigny and Leuvigny
What are some famous producers from Festigny
Apollonis and Christophe Mignon (also has vines in Le Breuil)
Describe the wines of Festigny
Fruit Forward
Describe the wines of Le Breuil
Acidic, well structured not as ripe
Mareuil is divided into 3 hamlets, what are they?
- Port -a-Binson
- Cerseuil
- Mareuil-le-Port
What producer grows Meunier in the vineyard of Les Misy in Port-a-Binson
Bereche et Fils
When was the first vintage of the Bereche es Fils “Rive Gauche”
2007
Cuisles, Baslieux-sous-Chatillon, Cuchery, Belval-sous-Chatillon makes up a valley that centers around what body of water
Belval Stream
Cuisles, Baslieux-sous-Chatilon, Cuchery, Belval-sous-Chatillon are all villages that what producers grows vines
Mousse Fils
Besides Mousse Fils what other producer grows vines in Baslieux-sous-Chatillon
Franck Pascal
What is Trelou-sur-Marne known for
Being the first place in Marne where phylloxera was found
How long is Cotes des Blancs ?
12 miles long from north to south
What is the northern most Grand Cru in the Cotes des Blancs?
Oiry
What is the southern most Grand Cru in the Cotes des Blancs?
Les Mesnil Sur Oger
What is Butte de Saran
A forest covered hill in the Cotes Des Blancs where Chouilly and Oiry are located.
What is similar about Cramant, Avize, Oger, and Les Mensil sur Oger
All their vineyards are planted on an actual slope on a hill
What is the flavor profile for the Grand Cru villages of Oiry and Chouilly
Delicacy and perfumed aromatics
What is the flavor profile for the Grand Cru villages of Cramant, Avize, Oger, and Les Mesnil Sur Oger
Richness, structure and depth
Most vineyards in the Cote de Sezanne were planted when?
1960’s
What is the grape breakdown for the Cote de Sezanne
Chardonnay - 64%
Pinot Meunier - 21%
Pinot Noit - 15%
What is the profile of the grapes from the Cote de Sezanne
Do to their southern location, the grapes are usually more riper , resulting in a fatter, more exotically flavored wine
What does couer de terrior mean
Heart of the Terroir
What is the flavor profile for wines made in Avize
Power, structure and roundness
Avize is yellow - orange, based on ripe citrus, grapefruit, apricot, and mandarin orange
Large - full bodied wine
What is the flavor profile for wines made in Cramant
Complexity, completeness, and for its contrast of body and liveliness
Mature with brown tones
Sweet spices, cinnamon, licorice and green tea. Its a autumnal wine
What is the flavor profile for wines made in Le Mesnil
Puissance and needs alot of time to mature
Also grey in color with austere, stony and much more limestone than chalk.
What is the flavor profile for wines made in Chouilly
Very minerally and citrusy, giving freshness. Its fruit is almost exotic, pineapple like
What is the flavor profile for wines made in Oger
Color of wine is white
Delicate aromas of red fruit and tangerine
What villages in Cotes Des Blancs have a higher clay content
Oiry, Chouilly, Cramant, and Avise
Between what two villages does the soil change from a higher clay content to more traditional chalk in the Cotes Des Blancs
Avize to the north and Oger to the south
What is the best house in Cuis for champagne production
Pierre Gimonnet
What is the flavor profile for wines that come from Cuis
Acidity, fruit and structured focused.
Very valuable in a blend
What direction do the vineyards in Cuis face?
North or Northeast
Vineyards in the Cotes Des Blancs traditionally face east
Where is Montaigu and Les Aventures and where are they located
the two main lieu - dits in Chouilly
What two villages were the first Grand Crus of the Cotes Des Blancs
Cramant and Avize
In the 19th century the Cotes Des Blancs was known as
Cote d’Avize
What is the area size of Avize
662 acres or 268 Hectares
What is the area size of Cramant
892 acres or 361 Hectares
What is the slope position for most of the vineyards inAvize
Midslope
Billacart - Salmon Louis Roederer Taittinger Dom Perignon Charles Heidsieck's Blanc de Millenaires Veuve Clicquet La Grande Dame
These wines or houses use a portion of their blanc de blanc blends from what Grand cru in the Cotes Des Blancs
Avize
What is the soil type of Avize
Clay and chalk (differs from each vineyard)