France - Champagne

Question 1

What is the soil of the Champagne region?

Answer 1

Limestone and chalk

Question 2

What is methode champenoise?

Answer 2

Method of making champagne within the champagne region? All done within the bottle.

Question 3

What is methode classique?

Answer 3

Method of making sparkling wine outside of the champagne region

Question 4

What are the 3 grapes of the champagne region?

Answer 4

Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Meunier

Question 5

What is the cuvee?

Answer 5

The blend of grapes in champagne

Question 6

What is the liquer de tirage?

Answer 6

Yeast and sugar added to the bottle of champagne on secondary ferment to create CO2 in the bottle

Question 7

By law how much time must champagne spend on the lees?

Answer 7

at least 12 months

Question 8

How long does non vintage champagne and vintage spend aging?

Answer 8

minimum of 15 months -NV

minimum of 36 months - V

Question 9

What are the three sub regions of Champagne?

Answer 9

Montagne de Reims
Vallee de la Marne
Cote de Blancs

Question 10

What are the three methods of making sparkling wine?

Answer 10

Methode champenoise /classique- in the bottle
Transfer method - filtering and riddling in tanks
Tank method - all done in tank

Question 11

What are some recent vintage years for champagne?

Answer 11

2005, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015