Fws-Champagne

Question 1

Name the 7 sub-regions of Champagne and the main grapes grown in each.

Answer 1

Cote des Bar (PN), Cote des Blancs (Ch), Cote de Sezanne (Ch), Vitry-le-Francois (Ch), Val de Reims (PM), Montagne de Reims (PN), Vallee de las Marne (PM).

Question 2

Name the two traditional grapes of Champagne thru the 16th Century.

Answer 2

Fromenteau (vin de riviere), Gouais (vin de la montagne)

Question 3

Name the three modern grapes of Champagne.

Answer 3

Pinot Noir (PN), Pinot Meunier (PM), Chardonnay (Ch)

Question 4

Compare acidity and alcohol of the 3 grapes of Champagne.

Answer 4

Ch: hi acidity, hi alcohol
PM: mod acidity, min alcohol
PN: low acidity, mod alcohol

Question 5

Name 3 additional grapes authorized for Champagne.

Answer 5

Pinot Blanc (w), Arbane (w) and Petit Meslier (w)

Question 6

Describe the situation of first French sparkling wine.

Answer 6

Monks of Saint Hilaire near Limoux making Blanquettte de Limoux in the 1500’s.

Question 7

When did first vineyards appear in Champagne?

Answer 7

1st to 4th century AD while controlled by Celtic tribes

Question 8

When were French kings crowned in the cathedral of Reims?

Answer 8

1223 through 1800’s, Louis VIII until Charles X

Question 9

Who was Clovis?

Answer 9

King of Franks that united Gaul in 5th century, converted to Christianity by Bishop Remi

Question 10

Who was St. Alpin?

Answer 10

resident of Chalons-en-Champagne who spat on Attila the Hun

Question 11

Describe the first famous wines of Champagne region.

Answer 11

Red still wines from Ay in the 9th century

Question 12

In what century where the champagne houses established?

Answer 12

18th century, starting with Ruinart in 1729

Question 13

What is the climate of Champagne?

Answer 13

dual, continental with maritime influences

Question 14

When was golden age of Champagne?

Answer 14

started in early 20th century

Question 15

What is the soil of Cote des Bar?

Answer 15

Kimmeridgean limestone-rich marl (similar to Chablis and Sancerre)

Question 16

What were the contributions of Dom Perignon in the production of champagne?

Answer 16

a) create cuvee of 3 grapes, b) recognizing the value of natural cork seals, c) recognized the usefulness of strong English glass [mnemonic: GCC - glass, cork, cuvee]

Question 17

What was the contribution of Nicole Barbe Ponsardin (Veuve Cliquot) in the production of champagne?

Answer 17

riddling or remuage, collecting the lees in the neck of the bottle

Question 18

What was the contribution of Brother Jean Oudart in the production of champagne?

Answer 18

Tirage or bottling, adding yeast and sugar (liqueur de tirage) into still wine

Question 19

What is Prise de Mousse?

Answer 19

the seizing of the foam or second alcoholic fermentation.

Question 20

What is the order of steps in making champagne?

Answer 20

Making still wine, assemblage (blending), addition of liquer de tirage, prise de mousse, elevation sur lattes, remuage (riddling), degorgement, liqueur de dosage

Question 21

What are the 7 sub-regions of Champagne?

Answer 21

Cote des Bar, Montagne de Reims, Val de Reims, Vallee de la Marne, Cote des Blancs, cote de Sezanne, Vitry-le-Francois

Question 22

What is juponne?

Answer 22

mushroom shaped or skirt shaped cork, young cork

Question 23

What is cheville?

Answer 23

peg-shaped cork, usually older

Question 24

What is the significance of Troye?

Answer 24

In the Aube region, Troye once was the capital of Champagne region. Initially not part of 1908 growing delineation, it was added to official growing region in 1927.

Question 25

What kind of chalk are found in Champagne?

Answer 25

Two kinds of chalk, the belemnite and the micraster can be found in Champagne.

Question 26

Which kind of chalk is associated with the best vineyards?

Answer 26

Belemnite limestone is found in the mid-slope of best vineyards. Belemnite is composed of squid relative. Micraster chalk is formed from fossilized sea urchins.

Question 27

What is wet champagne area?

Answer 27

Cote des Bar, limestone rich marl soil type does not have water -retention capacity of chalk. This is good for Pinot Noir.

Question 28

What was the contribution of Madame Pommery in the production of champagne?

Answer 28

Production of less sweet versions of champagne (after overthrow of Tsar)

Question 29

When is best time to drink champagne?

Answer 29

meant to be drunk within 2-3 years of release

Question 30

What rivers flank the Cote des Bar?

Answer 30

Aube and Seine River (in the Aube region)

Question 31

What is a crayer?

Answer 31

defunct Roman chalk quarry, used for storing champagne; found in Epernay and Reims

Question 32

What is meaning of label nomenclature NM?

Answer 32

negociant-manipulant, big champagne houses

Question 33

What is meaning of label nomenclature RM?

Answer 33

recoltant-manipulant, uses his own grapes

Question 34

What is meaning of label nomenclature RC?

Answer 34

recoltant-coooperateur, grower working with a co-op and later using his own label

Question 35

What is meaning of label nomenclature SR?

Answer 35

societe de recoltant, group of graper growers

Question 36

What is meaning of label nomenclature CM?

Answer 36

cooperative de manipulation, co-op cellar making wine

Question 37

What is meaning of label nomenclature MA?

Answer 37

marque auxiliaire, private label registered by any group (supermarket)

Question 38

What is meaning of label nomenclature ND?

Answer 38

negociant-distributeur, wine buyer that uses private label

Question 39

How is rose champagne made?

Answer 39

by saignee or by adding red wine to clear base wine

Question 40

Name parts of the Kimmeridgean Ring.

Answer 40

limestone rich marl, Dover, Normandy, Cote des Bar, Chablis, Auxerre, Yonne Valley, Pouily-sur-Loire, Sancerre, Quincy and Reuilly

Question 41

Name the grape in Vin de riviere. What color is it?

Answer 41

Fromenteau, red

Question 42

Name the grape in Vin de la montagne. What color is it?

Answer 42

Gouais, white

Question 43

Where are the vineyards of Massif de St-Thierry and la Vallee de l'Ardre?

Answer 43

Val de Reims

Question 44

Is all limestone chalk?

Answer 44

no

Question 45

Is all chalk limestone?

Answer 45

yes

Question 46

Which champagne regions are notable for chalk?

Answer 46

Montagne de Reims, Cote des Blancs

Question 47

Which champagne regions are notable for marl, sand and clay?

Answer 47

Vallee de la Marne, Val de Reims

Question 48

Which champagne regions are notable for limestone-rich marl?

Answer 48

Cote des Bar

Question 49

Which champagne regions are notable for chalk and clay?

Answer 49

Cote de Suzanne

Question 50

Who was Nicole Barbe Ponsardin?

Answer 50

Veuve Cliquot

Question 51

What is difference between Chalons-en-Champagne and Chalon-sur-Saône

Answer 51

Châlons-en-Champagne is the capital of both the department of Marne and the region of Champagne-Ardenne, despite being only a quarter the size of the city of Reims. Formerly called Châlons-sur-Marne, the city was officially renamed in 1998. It should not be confused with the Burgundian town of Chalon-sur-Saone, a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department. (wiki)

Question 52

In making champagne, which is first, liqueur de tirage or liqueur de dosage

Answer 52

liqueur de tirage