Sparkling Wines of the World

Question 1

What are the latitudes and climate and weather hazards of Champagne?

Answer 1

Between 48°N and 50°N
The climate is cool continental
Weather hazard include winter freeze, spring frost and rainy, cloudy weather.

Question 2

What are the soils of Champagne ?

Answer 2

Chalky soils mostly.
Providing good drainage after rain storm and still retaining water during dry periods

Question 3

What is a viticultural trend in Champagne?

Answer 3

Sustainable practices and reduction of man-made fertilizers and pesticides.

Question 4

What are the 5 sub-regions of Champagne?

Answer 4

Montagne de Reims
Vallée de la Marne
Côte des Blancs
Côte de Sézanne
Côte des Bar

Question 5

How many Premier Cru and Grand Cru Villages are in Champagne?

Answer 5

44 Premier Cru Villages
17 Grand Cru Villages

Question 6

What are the varieties of Champagne and where do they grow?

Answer 6

Chardonnay (Côte des Blanc & Sézanne)
Pinot Noir (Montagne de Reims & Côte des Bars)
Meunier (Vallée de la Marne)

Question 7

What is the role of each grape in a Champagne Blend?

Answer 7

Chardonnay: Lightness, Acidity, Floral & Citrus
Pinot Noir: Body and structure
Meunier: Fruity flavors for early drinking styles

Question 8

Why is Meunier preferred in the Vallée de la Marne?

Answer 8

Because it buds later than Chardonnay & Pinot Noir.
Meunier is preferred in Vallée de la Marne because the Valley is particularly susceptible to spring frost.

Question 9

How is Champagne made?

Answer 9

Traditional Method

Question 10

What is the minimum ageing of Non-Vintage & Vintage Champagne before market release?

Answer 10

NV: 15 months, 12 of which must be on the lees.
Vintage: 36 months (no extra requirement on lees)
In practice, the best wines can be aged 6 to 10 years

Question 11

What are 3 famous French AOC for Crémant?

Answer 11

Crémant d’Alsace
Crémant de Bourgogne
Crémant de Loire

Question 12

What method is used for Crémant?

Answer 12

Traditional Method
Minimum 9 months on lees

Question 13

What are 2 famous sparkling producing AOC in the Loire?

Answer 13

Saumur (white and red from local varieties including Chenin, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc)
Vouvray (Chenin Blanc)

Question 14

Although Cava is a DO covering a number of different areas across Spain (including Navarra, Rioja and Valencia), where is the production concentrated?

Answer 14

In the Catalan vineyards around the town of Sant Sadurni d’Anoia

Question 15

What are the 3 indigenous grapes used for white Cava?

Answer 15

Macabeo (Viura)
Xarel.lo
Parellada

Question 16

What are 2 grapes used for the production of rosado Cava

Answer 16

Garnacha & Monastrel

Question 17

What international varieties are used in Cava?

Answer 17

Chardonnay & Pinot Noir

Question 18

What is the method used for Cava?

Answer 18

Traditional Method with
9 months on lees

Question 19

How can Cava be different from Champagne?

Answer 19

Less acidic & easy to drink, approachable
Less toasty (but exceptions exist)

Question 20

What is the grape and region of Asti?

Answer 20

Moscato (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains)
Asti DOCG is in Piemonte

Question 21

How does Asti taste like?

Answer 21

Pronounced perfume of peach and flowers
Sweet, low alcohol
No autolytic character
Not suitable for ageing

Question 22

Where is made Prosecco DOC?

Answer 22

North-East Italy (Veneto & Friuli)

Question 23

What is a higher level of Prosecco?

Answer 23

Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG
Named after 2 towns. Vineyards are on steep limestone hills north west of Venice

Question 24

What do the terms Cartizze & Rive indicate?

Answer 24

Exceptional Vineyard sites

Question 25

What is the grape of Prosecco?

Answer 25

Glera
Producing fresh aromas of green apple and melon

Question 26

What is the normal Prosecco method?

Answer 26

Tank Method

Question 27

Where is Sekt from, and how is it made?

Answer 27

Germany, mostly Tank Method.

Question 28

What is the difference between SEKT & DEUTSCHER SEKT?

Answer 28

The base wine for SEKT can come from France or Italy
The base wine for DEUTSCHER SEKT must come from grapes grown in Germany
Both are made sparkling in Germany

Question 29

Where is the very best German Sekt made and what is the grape?

Answer 29

Deutscher Sekt bA (Riesling based from Mosel)
Sometimes from single vineyards

Question 30

Where are the 3 sources for premium grapes destined to sparkling in Australia?

Answer 30

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the cooler regions of Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills and Tasmania.

Question 31

Where are the 3 sources for premium grapes destined to sparkling in Australia?

Answer 31

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the cooler regions of Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills and Tasmania.

Question 32

Where would producers of inexpensive sparkling using tank or carbonation source their grapes?

Answer 32

Warmer regions such as Riverina

Question 33

What is a sparkling that is unique to Australia?

Answer 33

Sparkling Shiraz, which can be made from Carbonation, Tank or Traditional Method.
Gernarally full-bodied with red berry fruit, smooth tannins and some residual sugar. Cabernet and Merlot are sometimes used too.

Question 34

What region of NZ produces the most PN & Chardonnay-based Traditional Method Sparkling?

Answer 34

Marlborough
Sauvignon-Blanc based sparkling are also produced.

Question 35

How do South-African producers called the Traditional Method?

Answer 35

METHODE CAPE CLASSIQUE with 9 to 12 m. on lees
Chardonnay & Pinot Noir based

Question 36

What are 2 American AVA famous for premium quality sparkling wines?

Answer 36

Los Carneros AVA & Anderson Valley AVA
Traditional Method (PN & Chard)
Extended time on lees, complex flavors

Question 37

Where would Californian producers of inexpensive sparkling source its grapes from? What method would be used?

Answer 37

Grapes from warmer, high-yielding region as the Central Valley
Produced using Tank or Carbonation Methods
These would be simple and medium sweet in style.