Sparkling Wines Flashcards
After how many years are the effects of autolysis greatest in a bottle of champagne after sitting on its lees following secondary fermentation? Minimal?
Greatest after at least 5 years
Minimal for less than 18 months
How does autolysis improve the molecular structure of Champagne?
Mouthfeel is improved through the release of polysaccharides and peptides
Oxidation is inhibited through the release of glutathione and reducing enzymes and the production of certain mannoproteins reduces tartrate precipitation and improves protein stability.
Additionally there is an increase in amino acids, which may be the precursor of those flavor characteristics associated with Champagne such as acacia, biscuity or bready notes, and other complex aromas of bottle aging.
What 5 rules does Bollinger follow when producing their wines?
1) A majority of grapes used come from the house’s own vineyards
2) Pinot Noir makes up the majority
3) Barrel fermentation of base wines
4) Reserve wines are aged in magnums
5) Bottle aging up to 3 times longer than required even for the NV Special Cuvée
What was the first vintage of Bollinger R.D.? What is the min time on the lees this wine spends?
1952; min 8 years on lees
What major Champagne owns Ayala as of 2005?
Bollinger
Why is Cristal always wrapped in orange paper?
For the purposes of filtering out UV light that would otherwise be difficult to manage due to Cristal being bottled in clear glass.
What are the sweetness levels and rs in g/L for Champagne?
Brut Nature: 0-3g/L Extra Brut: 0-6g/L Brut 0-12g/L Extra Dry: 12-17g/L Sec: 17-32g/L Demi-Sec: 32-50g/L Doux: 50+g/L
What was Jean-Baptiste Francois’ contribution to the modern Champagne production method?
He identified the precise quantity of sugar to induce a second fermentation in the bottle without inducing an explosive force.
What do each of the main 3 grapes of Champagne contribute to the finished wine?
Pinot Noir: Structure and depth of fruit
Chardonnay: Austerity and elegance in youth but longevity with age.
Meunier: early-maturing richness and fruitiness.
What are the 7 grapes permitted for the production of Champagne?
Pinot Noir Pinot Meunier Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris Chardonnay Arbanne Petit Meslier
What is the max press yield for Champagne?
102L per 160kg of grapes
What is the max yield for Champagne in kg?
10,400kg/ha
What is a marc?
Unit of measurement in Champagne used that is the equivalent of 4,000kg of grapes
What are the 3 different parts of a press volume for Champagne?
Vin de Cuvée: First 2,050L
Vin de Taille: Next 500L
Rebeche: Final pressing used exclusively for the production of distillation
What are the two still wine appellations of Champagne?
Rosé des Riceys AOP
Côteaux Champenois AOP
What four communes have been traditionally best for red Côteaux Champenois AOP?
Bouzy
Aÿ
Cumières
Ambonnay
What is the inaugural vintage of Dom Ruinart?
1959
What is the inaugural vintage of Krug Clos de Mesnil?
1979
What is the inaugural vintage of Elisabeth Salmon?
1988
What is the inaugural vintage of Krug Clos d’Ambonnay?
1995
What is the inaugural vintage of Krug Rosé?
1983
What is the inaugural vintage of Salon “Cuvée S” Le Mesnil?
1949
What is every vintage of Salon?
1921, 1925, 1928 1934, 1937 1943, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1959 1961, 1964, 1966, 1969 1971, 1973, 1976, 1979 1982, 1983, 1985, 1988 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008
What is the inaugural vintage of Salon?
1921
What is the inaugural vintage of Clos St. Hilaire?
1995
In what year was the CIVC established and in what year did it stop setting the price for grapes that were bought by Champagne Houses/Merchants from the growers?
Established in 1941; stopped fixing prices for grapes in 1990.