Sparkling Wine Flashcards
Describe champagne wine.
Traditional method, hand picked (whole bunches of healthy grapes)
Strict pressing: 1st liquid (purest juice) = cuvee, remainder = tailee
Weather varies significantly, blending very important, small parcels often used
What are the ageing requirements for NV and vintage champagne?
NV: minimum 15 months (including 12 months on lees)
Vintage: minimum 36 months (including 12 months on lees)
What is a prestige cuvee Champagne?
The finest wine in the house range
Describe the Champagne wine growing region.
One appellation, including 44 premier cru and 17 grand cru
Whole village is rated for cru (not vineyards)
Cool continental climate (winter freezes, sprint frosts, rainy & cloudy weather)
Grapes planted on slopes to minimize frost
Chalky soils have good drainage and retain water in dry period
What are the 5 sub-regions of Champagne, and what grapes do they specialize in?
Vallee de la Marne - Meunier Montagne de Reims - Pinot Noir Cote des Bar - Pinot Noir Cote des blancs - Chardonnay Cote de Sezanne - Chardonnay
Describe Asti sparkling wine.
Made in Piemonte, Italy Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains: distinct grape flavor, rose, peach Made with Asti method Sweet, low alcohol, no lees Drink as soon as possible
Describe Cava sparkling wine.
Numerous regions inside Spain
Made with traditional method
Spends minimum of 9 months on lees
Main grapes: Macabeo, Xanel-lo, Parellada
Dry, medium acid, different yeast from champagne, NV
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are also allowed but are controversial
Describe Processco sparkling wine.
Made in Veneto and Friuli, Italy
Prosecco DOC and Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG
Green apple, melon
Made with tank method
Any sweetness is from interfering with fermentation (by chilling and filtering)
Consumed young
Describe sparkling wines in South Africa.
Traditional method, called Methode Cap Classique
Grapes from throughout Western Cape
Best use Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
What is the Cap Classique Producers Association?
Organization for South African sparking wine
Membership is not required (producers can still use label without being a member)
Members: minimum lees ageing is 12 months
Non-members: minimum lees ageing is 9 months
Describe sparkling wines in the USA.
Majority from California Los Carneros AVA, Anderson Valley AVA Premium wines use traditional method Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Extended time on lees (ex. 5 years)
Inexpensive wines use tank method or carbonation
Fruity, medium sweet to sweet
Come from warmer regions such as Central Valley
Describe sparkling wines in New Zealand.
High quality Traditional method Classic champagne grapes Made in all regions except Auckland Marlborough: Highest volume Sauvignon Blanc also made with carbonation or tank method
Describe sparkling wines in Australia.
Cool to moderate regions: Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills, Tasmania
Usually Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Inexpensive wines from Riverina
Tank or carbonation method, fruity, range of sweetness
Sparkling reds also popular
Cab. Sauv, Merlot
Full body, smooth tannins, residual sugar, red fruit
Describe Sekt sparkling wines.
Tank method
Base wines generally from France or Italy
Deutschersekt: grapes from Germany
Best made with Riesling
Deutschner Sekt bA: all grapes from 1 quality region
Wines from single vineyard are rare
Germany has the highest per capita consumption of sparkling wines in the world
Describe sparkling wines from Saumur.
Local grape varieties, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc
Sparkling red with Cabernet Franc also made
Traditional method
Minimum 9 months on lees
