Regions

Question 1

Weirdo Chablis taste description

Answer 1

Oyster shell kelp yogurt

• cork dork, attributed to Morgan

Question 2

Champagne history and features

- what part of France is it?

Answer 2

Northernmost wine area in France, and one of the northernmost wine regions in the world

Question 3

Alsace
- Where is it?
- What’s the closest region in Germany?
- Capital of Alsace?
- How divided?
- Geographic feature?
- Describe climate?
- What are the permitted grapes, and what’s the white/red distribution?
- What are the appellations?
- What are the dessert wines?
- What are the names of the blends and what do they mean?
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Answer 3

Northeasternmost part of France, right above Switzerland. Just west of the Rhine river

Close to Baden in Germany

Capital is Strasbourg

Divided into haut-Rhin and bas-Rhin, though the bas-Rhin is northernmost. Haut-Rhin has high elevation.

Vosges Mountains to the West create orographic precipitation that protects Alsace from getting too much rain. Region is therefore sunny.

Climate is very cool and dry.

9 white grapes and 1 red grape permitted: Riesling, gewurtztraminer, muscat, pinot blanc, Chasslas, Auxerrois, Pinot gris, Sylvaner, Klevener de Heilegenstein, Pinot Noir. Plus Chardonnay is allowed for Crémant d’Alsace.

Appellations are simple: Alsace AOC, Grand Cru d’Alsace AOC, and Crémant d’Alsace AOC.

Blends - Edelzwicker (any blend); Gentil (50% noble grapes), Pinot (contains a pinot).

Dessert wines are Vendange Tardive (like auslese), and selection de grand nobles (similar to beerenauslese) , which is botrytised (nobles - pourriture noble).

Question 4

Champagne history and features

- When did Dom Perignon work, and what was his mandate?

Answer 4

Dom Perignon started his project in 1668 to take the bubbles out of the wine. He really innovated by changing the way grapes were pressed and selected. Also created prejudice towards blanc de noirs because he thought they had more sugar. Didn’t really invent méthode traditionnel.

Question 5

Champagne history and features

- What was Veuve Clicquot’s most important innovation?

Answer 5

Veuve invented the riddling rack. She also invented champagne as a lifestyle drink.

Question 6

Champagne history and features

- Who invented the brut champagne, and when?

Answer 6

Brut champagne (dry) was invented by Perrier Jouet in 1848. First non-sweet champagne.

Question 7

Champagne history and features

- How did the English figure into development of sparkling wine?

Answer 7

Accidental sparkling wine (due to fermenting residual sugar in bottles) became fashionable in the UK in the mid 1600s and Brits started adding sugar to bottles around that time. Merritt documented the idea of second fermentation in 1662.