Sekt

Question 1

first fully documented German sparkling wine

Answer 1

was produced in 1826 by Georg Kessler though there was earlier written reference of German sparkling as early as 1783. Kessler was employed by Madame Clicquot and on his advice Clicquot purchased a german wine estate. in 1826 Kessler established GC Kessler (oldest sekt house in Germany still in existence)

Question 2

First German to make sparkling wine

Answer 2

Heidsieck in 1785

Question 3

German influence in Champagne

Answer 3

Champagne houses hired a lot of Germans in 19th centrury

Question 4

Three Reasons Champagne Houses hired Germans

Answer 4

1) French for the most part spoke only French
2) French Aristocracy considered commerce lowly
3) French thought Germans had fastidious mind and legible hand

Question 5

Germans in Champagne

Answer 5

Bollinger
Deutz
Heidsieck
Krug
Lanson
Mumm
Roederer
Taittinger

Question 6

Onset of Sekt

Answer 6

1850s term Sekt became widely used. Early 20th century Sekt taking off but begins to be taxed. Tax slows growth then wars. Taxes relaxed in 1950s and sales began to climb reaching over half a billion bottles in 1990.

Question 7

what is sekt

Answer 7

sekt is a low grade of no individual character. made from underripe grape (unsuitable for other purposes) with heavy dosage (trocken) as cosmetic

Question 8

Riesling Sekt

Answer 8

riesling cannot produce classic brut style wine because subtle effects of autolysis and post-disgorgement aromas overwhelmed by powerful varietal character. Since yeast contact has minimal impact on varietal character bottle fermentation really has no advantage over tank method

Question 9

Rose Sekt

Answer 9

100% Pinot Noir