Sparkling Wines of the World - WSET L3 in Wines Flashcards
What are the five sub-regions of Champagne?
Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne, and Côte des Bar.
What is the climate of Champagne?
Cool continental, with challenges like frost, winter freeze, and high rainfall.
What are the main grape varieties used in Champagne?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier.
How does Chardonnay contribute to Champagne?
Adds light body, high acidity, and floral and citrus flavors.
What is a Prestige Cuvée in Champagne?
The finest wine in a producer’s range, often made from the best grapes and vintage years.
Where is most Cava produced?
In Catalonia, around Sant Sadurní d’Anoia.
What grape varieties are traditional for Cava?
Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada.
What is the minimum lees aging for Cava?
Nine months.
How does Cava differ from Champagne in flavor?
Cava tends to have less autolytic character and is often fresher and fruitier.
What is the primary grape variety used in Prosecco?
Glera.
Where is Prosecco DOCG located?
Conegliano-Valdobbiadene in Veneto, Italy.
What method is used for Prosecco production?
The tank method, emphasizing fresh, fruity flavors.
What are the typical flavors of Prosecco?
Green apple, pear, and floral notes.
What is Cartizze in Prosecco?
A sub-region producing Prosecco of exceptional quality.
What grape is used in Asti DOCG?
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.
What is the style of Asti sparkling wine?
Sweet, low alcohol, with pronounced floral and fruity aromas.
How is Asti produced?
Using the Asti method, a single fermentation in a pressurized tank.
What is Crémant?
French sparkling wine made outside of Champagne using the traditional method.
What are three key Crémant regions?
Crémant d’Alsace, Crémant de Bourgogne, and Crémant de Loire.
What is the minimum lees aging for Crémant?
Nine months.
Where is Sekt primarily produced?
Germany.
What is Deutscher Sekt?
Sekt made exclusively from German-grown grapes.
What grape is often used for premium Deutscher Sekt?
Riesling.
What is Méthode Cap Classique (MCC)?
South African sparkling wine made using the traditional method.
What are the primary grapes for MCC?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
What is the minimum lees aging recommended by the Cap Classique Producers Association?
12 months.
Where are premium sparkling wines made in Australia?
Cool regions like Tasmania, Yarra Valley, and Adelaide Hills.
What style of sparkling wine is unique to Australia?
Sparkling Shiraz, typically full-bodied with red berry flavors.
What methods are used for Australian sparkling wines?
Traditional, tank, and carbonation methods.
What are New Zealand’s primary grapes for sparkling wine?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Where is the majority of New Zealand’s sparkling wine produced?
Marlborough.
What is the style of sparkling Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand?
Fruity and aromatic, often made using the tank or carbonation method.
Where are the best sparkling wines produced in the U.S.?
Cooler regions like Los Carneros and Anderson Valley in California.
What method is used for premium American sparkling wines?
The traditional method, with extended lees aging.
What style of sparkling wine is common in the Central Valley?
Inexpensive, fruity wines made by tank method or carbonation.
How does Champagne differ from Cava?
Champagne has higher acidity and more pronounced autolytic flavors due to longer lees aging.
What distinguishes Prosecco from Champagne?
Prosecco is lighter, fruitier, and less autolytic due to the tank method.
How does Crémant compare to Champagne?
Crémant is often less complex but more affordable.
What is yeast autolysis?
The breakdown of yeast cells during lees aging, adding flavors of bread, biscuit, and toast.
How many villages in Champagne have Premier Cru and Grand Cru status?
44 and 17 respectively.
What is the difference between Grand Cru and Premier Cru in Champagne?
Grand Cru represents the highest quality vineyards, while Premier Cru is slightly below in classification but still excellent.
How many appellation is in Champagne?
One, Champagne AOC.
Who receives Premier Cur and Grand Cru in Champagne?
The whole village, not individual vineyards. It is not a appellation system.
What is the climate of Champagne?
Cool continental, with low average temperatures and high risk of frost.
How does Pinot Noir contribute to Champagne?
Provides body, structure, and flavors of red fruit.
How does Meunier contribute to Champagne?
Adds fruitiness and helps wines mature more quickly, especially in cooler areas.
Where are Chardonnay vineyards typically located in Champagne?
Primarily in Côte des Blancs and Côte de Sézanne.
Where are Pinot Noir vineyards primarily located in Champagne?
Montagne de Reims and Côte des Bar.
Where is Meunier predominantly grown in Champagne?
Vallée de la Marne, due to its resistance to frost.
What is “Cuvée” in Champagne production?
The first and highest quality juice extracted during pressing.
What is “Taille” in Champagne production?
The second pressing juice, often used for less premium wines.
What are the key styles of Champagne?
Non-vintage, vintage, rosé, blanc de blancs, blanc de noirs, and Prestige Cuvée.
What distinguishes Prestige Cuvée in Champagne?
It is a producer’s top-quality wine, often made from the best grapes and aged extensively.
Which grape varieties are not allowed in Alsace Crémant?
Gewürztraminer and Muscat are not permitted. Chardonnay is permited.
Name appellations that produce Cremant in Loire?
Saumur made from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Vouvray made from Chenin Blanc.
What is the Cava DO, and where is it produced?
Cava DO is a Spanish sparkling wine made using the traditional method, primarily produced in Catalonia.
What is the alcohol level of Asti sparkling wines, and how are they best enjoyed?
Asti typically has an alcohol level of around 7% ABV and is best enjoyed young and fresh.
What is Cartizze, and what does Rive mean in Prosecco?
Cartizze is a premium Prosecco sub-region, and Rive indicates single-vineyard Prosecco from steep hillsides.
What is the difference between Sekt and Deutscher Sekt?
Sekt can be made from imported grapes, while Deutscher Sekt must be made exclusively from German-grown grapes.
What are the key U.S. regions known for traditional method sparkling wines?
Los Carneros, Anderson Valley.
