Sparkling Wines of the World Flashcards
What are the latitudes and climate and weather hazards of Champagne?
Between 48°N and 50°N
The climate is cool continental
Weather hazard include winter freeze, spring frost and rainy, cloudy weather.
What are the soils of Champagne ?
Chalky soils mostly.
Providing good drainage after rain storm and still retaining water during dry periods
What is a viticultural trend in Champagne?
Sustainable practices and reduction of man-made fertilizers and pesticides.
What are the 5 sub-regions of Champagne?
Montagne de Reims
Vallée de la Marne
Côte des Blancs
Côte de Sézanne
Côte des Bar
How many Premier Cru and Grand Cru Villages are in Champagne?
44 Premier Cru Villages
17 Grand Cru Villages
What are the varieties of Champagne and where do they grow?
Chardonnay (Côte des Blanc & Sézanne)
Pinot Noir (Montagne de Reims & Côte des Bars)
Meunier (Vallée de la Marne)
What is the role of each grape in a Champagne Blend?
Chardonnay: Lightness, Acidity, Floral & Citrus
Pinot Noir: Body and structure
Meunier: Fruity flavors for early drinking styles
Why is Meunier preferred in the Vallée de la Marne?
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.
How is Champagne made?
Traditional Method
What is the minimum ageing of Non-Vintage & Vintage Champagne before market release?
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
What are 3 famous French AOC for Crémant?
Crémant d’Alsace
Crémant de Bourgogne
Crémant de Loire
What method is used for Crémant?
Traditional Method
Minimum 9 months on lees
What are 2 famous sparkling producing AOC in the Loire?
Saumur (white and red from local varieties including Chenin, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc)
Vouvray (Chenin Blanc)
Although Cava is a DO covering a number of different areas across Spain (including Navarra, Rioja and Valencia), where is the production concentrated?
In the Catalan vineyards around the town of Sant Sadurni d’Anoia
What are the 3 indigenous grapes used for white Cava?
Macabeo (Viura)
Xarel.lo
Parellada
What are 2 grapes used for the production of rosado Cava
Garnacha & Monastrel
What international varieties are used in Cava?
Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
What is the method used for Cava?
Traditional Method with
9 months on lees
How can Cava be different from Champagne?
Less acidic & easy to drink, approachable
Less toasty (but exceptions exist)
What is the grape and region of Asti?
Moscato (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains)
Asti DOCG is in Piemonte
How does Asti taste like?
Pronounced perfume of peach and flowers
Sweet, low alcohol
No autolytic character
Not suitable for ageing
Where is made Prosecco DOC?
North-East Italy (Veneto & Friuli)
What is a higher level of Prosecco?
Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG
Named after 2 towns. Vineyards are on steep limestone hills north west of Venice
What do the terms Cartizze & Rive indicate?
Exceptional Vineyard sites
What is the grape of Prosecco?
Glera
Producing fresh aromas of green apple and melon
What is the normal Prosecco method?
Tank Method
Where is Sekt from, and how is it made?
Germany, mostly Tank Method.
What is the difference between SEKT & DEUTSCHER SEKT?
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
Where is the very best German Sekt made and what is the grape?
Deutscher Sekt bA (Riesling based from Mosel)
Sometimes from single vineyards
Where are the 3 sources for premium grapes destined to sparkling in Australia?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the cooler regions of Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills and Tasmania.
Where are the 3 sources for premium grapes destined to sparkling in Australia?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the cooler regions of Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills and Tasmania.
Where would producers of inexpensive sparkling using tank or carbonation source their grapes?
Warmer regions such as Riverina
What is a sparkling that is unique to Australia?
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.
What region of NZ produces the most PN & Chardonnay-based Traditional Method Sparkling?
Marlborough
Sauvignon-Blanc based sparkling are also produced.
How do South-African producers called the Traditional Method?
METHODE CAPE CLASSIQUE with 9 to 12 m. on lees
Chardonnay & Pinot Noir based
What are 2 American AVA famous for premium quality sparkling wines?
Los Carneros AVA & Anderson Valley AVA
Traditional Method (PN & Chard)
Extended time on lees, complex flavors
Where would Californian producers of inexpensive sparkling source its grapes from? What method would be used?
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.
