Fws-Champagne Flashcards
Name the 7 sub-regions of Champagne and the main grapes grown in each.
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).
Name the two traditional grapes of Champagne thru the 16th Century.
Fromenteau (vin de riviere), Gouais (vin de la montagne)
Name the three modern grapes of Champagne.
Pinot Noir (PN), Pinot Meunier (PM), Chardonnay (Ch)
Compare acidity and alcohol of the 3 grapes of Champagne.
Ch: hi acidity, hi alcohol
PM: mod acidity, min alcohol
PN: low acidity, mod alcohol
Name 3 additional grapes authorized for Champagne.
Pinot Blanc (w), Arbane (w) and Petit Meslier (w)
Describe the situation of first French sparkling wine.
Monks of Saint Hilaire near Limoux making Blanquettte de Limoux in the 1500’s.
When did first vineyards appear in Champagne?
1st to 4th century AD while controlled by Celtic tribes
When were French kings crowned in the cathedral of Reims?
1223 through 1800’s, Louis VIII until Charles X
Who was Clovis?
King of Franks that united Gaul in 5th century, converted to Christianity by Bishop Remi
Who was St. Alpin?
resident of Chalons-en-Champagne who spat on Attila the Hun
Describe the first famous wines of Champagne region.
Red still wines from Ay in the 9th century
In what century where the champagne houses established?
18th century, starting with Ruinart in 1729
What is the climate of Champagne?
dual, continental with maritime influences
When was golden age of Champagne?
started in early 20th century
What is the soil of Cote des Bar?
Kimmeridgean limestone-rich marl (similar to Chablis and Sancerre)
What were the contributions of Dom Perignon in the production of champagne?
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]
What was the contribution of Nicole Barbe Ponsardin (Veuve Cliquot) in the production of champagne?
riddling or remuage, collecting the lees in the neck of the bottle
What was the contribution of Brother Jean Oudart in the production of champagne?
Tirage or bottling, adding yeast and sugar (liqueur de tirage) into still wine
What is Prise de Mousse?
the seizing of the foam or second alcoholic fermentation.
What is the order of steps in making champagne?
Making still wine, assemblage (blending), addition of liquer de tirage, prise de mousse, elevation sur lattes, remuage (riddling), degorgement, liqueur de dosage
What are the 7 sub-regions of Champagne?
Cote des Bar, Montagne de Reims, Val de Reims, Vallee de la Marne, Cote des Blancs, cote de Sezanne, Vitry-le-Francois
What is juponne?
mushroom shaped or skirt shaped cork, young cork
What is cheville?
peg-shaped cork, usually older
What is the significance of Troye?
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.
What kind of chalk are found in Champagne?
Two kinds of chalk, the belemnite and the micraster can be found in Champagne.
Which kind of chalk is associated with the best vineyards?
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.
What is wet champagne area?
Cote des Bar, limestone rich marl soil type does not have water -retention capacity of chalk. This is good for Pinot Noir.
What was the contribution of Madame Pommery in the production of champagne?
Production of less sweet versions of champagne (after overthrow of Tsar)
When is best time to drink champagne?
meant to be drunk within 2-3 years of release
What rivers flank the Cote des Bar?
Aube and Seine River (in the Aube region)
What is a crayer?
defunct Roman chalk quarry, used for storing champagne; found in Epernay and Reims
What is meaning of label nomenclature NM?
negociant-manipulant, big champagne houses
What is meaning of label nomenclature RM?
recoltant-manipulant, uses his own grapes
What is meaning of label nomenclature RC?
recoltant-coooperateur, grower working with a co-op and later using his own label
What is meaning of label nomenclature SR?
societe de recoltant, group of graper growers
What is meaning of label nomenclature CM?
cooperative de manipulation, co-op cellar making wine
What is meaning of label nomenclature MA?
marque auxiliaire, private label registered by any group (supermarket)
What is meaning of label nomenclature ND?
negociant-distributeur, wine buyer that uses private label
How is rose champagne made?
by saignee or by adding red wine to clear base wine
Name parts of the Kimmeridgean Ring.
limestone rich marl, Dover, Normandy, Cote des Bar, Chablis, Auxerre, Yonne Valley, Pouily-sur-Loire, Sancerre, Quincy and Reuilly
Name the grape in Vin de riviere. What color is it?
Fromenteau, red
Name the grape in Vin de la montagne. What color is it?
Gouais, white
Where are the vineyards of Massif de St-Thierry and la Vallee de l’Ardre?
Val de Reims
Is all limestone chalk?
no
Is all chalk limestone?
yes
Which champagne regions are notable for chalk?
Montagne de Reims, Cote des Blancs
Which champagne regions are notable for marl, sand and clay?
Vallee de la Marne, Val de Reims
Which champagne regions are notable for limestone-rich marl?
Cote des Bar
Which champagne regions are notable for chalk and clay?
Cote de Suzanne
Who was Nicole Barbe Ponsardin?
Veuve Cliquot
What is difference between Chalons-en-Champagne and Chalon-sur-Saône
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)
In making champagne, which is first, liqueur de tirage or liqueur de dosage
liqueur de tirage
