Legal Flashcards
Grapes for Coteaux Champenois
Chardonnay, Meunier, Pinot Noir, Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris
Date of Champagne AOC
1936
Date of Coteaux Champenois AOC
1974
Date of Ratafia de Champagne IGP
2015
What is Ratafia?
Must is taken from the first 116 liters of juice from the rebêche, fortified with 90% champagne grape spirit. Final alc 16-22%, RS 110g/l.
Aged for 10mo, option for oxidative or reductive.
May be labeled as ‘Vieux’ if aged in <10hL oak vats for 3yrs.
‘Tres Vieux’ if aged in <10HL oak vats for 8yrs.
What is Marc de Champagne?
Distilled eu-de-vie crafted from marc of pressed AOC Champagne grapes. Min. 40% abv.
Min. 3mo age. ‘Vieillie’ = 24mo in <10hL oak vats.
What is Fine Champenoise?
Distilled eu-de-vie made by distilling wine made from AOC Champagne grapes. Min. 40% abv.
Blanche = aged in neutral vessel 3mo. Viellie = 24mo in <10hL oak vats.
How many liters is the Cuvée?
2050 L.
How many liters is the Premiére Taille?
500 L after the Cuvée.
Aging requirements
Champagne = 12mo on lees, 15mo in cellar total from tirage, Jan 1, to release (NV).
Vintage Champagne = 36mo from tirage to release.
How much of the harvest can be used for vintage champagne?
Max 80%, to account for the taille.
What is the DPLC?
Dépassement du Plafond Limite de Classement; production over and above the legal limit, intended for vinegar or marc du champagne production. Must leave the winery by Dec 15th of the next year.
What is a Marc?
Legally defined press batch, 4,000kg, 25.50hL of juice
NM
Négociant-Manipulant; big houses. incorporates purchased grapes.
RM
Récoltant-Manipulant: growers. Can purchase up to 5%, mainly for rosé.
