FWS Champagne Flashcards
What type of climate influences Champagne?
Continental climate with maritime influences
What are the sub-regions of Champagne?
- Montagne de Reims (NE)
- Vallée de la Marne (NW)
- Côte des Blancs (Central)
- Côte des Bar (SE)
What significant event occurred in Champagne in 1650?
Exceptional cold halted fermentation, restarting in Spring, causing slight effervescence
What wooden tools were used in the 1600s to release gas during Champagne production?
Wooden whisks called ‘Mossers’
What advancements in the 17th century helped master sparkling wine production?
- Stronger glass bottles
- Uniform bottle neck openings
- Use of cork for air-tight seal
Who is credited with advancing the blending of grapes in Champagne?
Dom Pérignon in the 1670s
When was the first intentional Champagne produced?
1695-1698
What was the first Champagne house established?
Ruinart in 1729
What discovery did Louis Pasteur make in 1857 that impacted Champagne production?
The action of yeast enabling winemakers to fine-tune fermentation
What does the House style in Champagne aim to achieve?
Blending for consistency and to minimize risk of crop loss
What are mono-parcelle and mono-cru Champagnes?
Champagnes that produce terroir-driven bottlings from single vineyard or single village
What is unique about the cooperative structure in Champagne?
Champagne has the most cooperatives of all French wine regions
How does Champagne regulate annual yields?
Based on market demand to ensure price stability
What historical event marked the decline of the Roman Empire in relation to Champagne?
Clovis, King of the Franks, united the future country of France
What term can sparkling wines outside the Champagne region not use?
Champagne or ‘Méthode Champenoise’
What is the geological composition of Champagne’s soils?
- Chalk
- Limestone rich Marl
- Sand and Clay
What is the Echelle des Crus?
A ranking system for different terroirs in Champagne on a scale of 80-100%
What grape varieties are commonly used in Champagne?
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
- Meunier
- Pinot Gris
What is the impact of global warming on Champagne?
Temperatures up 1.2°C, flowering and harvest shifted 10-14 days forward
What is the difference between Vintage and Non-Vintage Champagne?
Vintage is crafted from fruit grown in a stated vintage; Non-Vintage uses multiple vintages
What is a Prestige Cuvée?
Champagne house’s highest-quality bottlings
What is a Special Club in Champagne?
Peer-reviewed outstanding vintages from the ‘Club Trésors de Champagne’
What is the term for still wines produced in Champagne?
Côteaux Champenois AOC
What does NM stand for in Champagne production?
Négociant-Manipulant: a producer who incorporates grapes purchased from others
What is the first step in the Champagne method of production?
Hand-harvested bunches to avoid pigmentation, oxidation, and bitter phenolics
What occurs during the Tirage process in Champagne production?
Bottling and adding liqueur de tirage to start the second fermentation
What is the Liqueur de dosage used for?
To replace the lost wine after disgorgement
What are the classifications of sweetness levels in Champagne?
- Brut Nature: 0-3g/l
- Extra Brut: 0-6g/l
- Brut: 0-12g/l
- Extra Sec: 12-17g/l
- Sec: 17-32g/l
- Demi-Sec: 32-50g/l
- Doux: 50g/l
What are the two fermentation methods mentioned?
- Méthode Champenoise: 2 distinct fermentations
- Rural / Méthode Ancestrale: 1 fermentation with a pause
Champagne map
