Unit 2 - Geology, Topography and Soils Flashcards
The Region of Champagne takes its name from what Latin word and what does it mean
Campagna, meaning unforested land or open country or plain
Is the region of Champagne located on land flat?
No, the region is not flat. There are gentle to steep slopes.
Why is Champagne considered a plain or open expanse
The lack of forest
What is the Paris Basin
A large downward depression (syncline) of sedimentary rock strata
When was the Triassic period? And what rock or soil forms came about due this period
250 - 200 Million Years Ago
- Gypsum, Rock Salt, and Sandstone
What was the Jurassic period? And what rock or soil forms came about due to this period
200 - 145 Million Years Ago
- Sandstone and Limestone
What was the Cretaceous period? And what rock or soil forms came about due to this period
145 - 65 Million Years Ago
- Chalk, Clays, and Sands
What was the Tertiary period? And what rock or soil forms came about due to this period
65 - 1.8 Million Years Ago
- Sands, Marls, Lignite Clays
How big is the Paris Basin
Approximately
- 310 miles / 500 km from east to west
- 185 miles / 300 km from north to south
- Over 54,000 square miles / 140,000 square km in size
- Represents 25% of the country of France
What soil makes up 75% of the top soil in Champagne
Limestone ( including chalk and marl)
How long is the Seine River
482 miles long
What River cuts through the Aube (Cote des Bars)
Seine River
The Marne River is a tributary to what river in France
Seine River
The Marne River travels near what two major cities in Champagne
Epernay and Reims
Vallee de la Marne, Vallee de l’Ardre, Vallee de la Vesle and Vallee du Surmelin were all formed by what river and its tributaries
Marne River
The hills in the Aube sub regions were form by what rivers
Bar-sur-Aube
- Aube
- Landion
Barsequanais
- Ource
- Arce
- Laignes
- Seine
The hills of the Cote de I’Ile-de-France, Cote de la Champagne and the Cote des Bars were formed due to what?
A result of the tectonic upheaval when the Paris Basin sank at its center and shunted its northern and eastern rims upwards
What vineyards in Champagne make up the Cote de I’Ile-de-France
- Montagne de Reims
- Cote des Blancs
- Sezanne
What vineyards in Champagne make up Cote de la Champagne
- Vitry -le - Francois
- Montgueux
What vineyards in Champagne make up the Cote des Bar
- Barsequanais
- Bar-sur-Aube
The average slope in Champagne possesses what grade
12%
What slope direction gets the most intense sun exposure
- East
- Southeast
- South
The Aisne, Aube, Marne, Yonne, Barse, Eure, Orge, Yvette, Loing, Oise, Epte, and Risle rivers all feed what river in France
Seine
What are the two primary sub-soils of Champagne
Chalk and limestone-rich marl
CHAMPAGNE SIDE NOTE
All chalk is limestone, not all limestone is chalk
- The two calcium-rich rocks have very different properties
True or False: Chalk can not absorb a lot of water
False: Chalk can absorb a lot of water. It acts like a subterranean sponge effectively pulling rainwater from the surface and down to its 985 - 1,310 feet / 300 - 400 meters depths
Where is the largest portion of the chalk plains located
- Reims and Epernay
- East of Montage de Reims
- Chalons-en-Champagne
- Cote des Blancs
- Also the famous villages of Ay, Ambonnay and Verzenay
What does Dry Champagne refer too
A term used by James Wilson in regards the the area that had a lack of moisture and lack of production due to the chalk top soil
The Aube lays on top of what type of subsoil
Kimmeridgean Marl ( a limestone - clay base that retains water, but not to the detriment of plant life)
What does Wet Champagne refer too
A term used by James Wilson to describe the kimmeridgean marl that is found in the Aube
What does Champagne humide mean
Wet Champagne
What does Champagne Pouilleuse mean
Dry Champagne
What type of soil does Pinot Noir thrive in
Limestone rich marl
What characteristics does limestone rich marl give to Pinot Noir
Deep aromatic and earthy expressions
Vallee de la Marne (most of it) and Val de Reims are comprised of what type of soils
Sands, Marls, and Clay
- Although there are some pockets of chalk in a few villages on the eastern fringe where these sub - regions boarder the chalk plains
What type of wines do clay soil produce
- wines that can be mineral rich
- wines that need more significant time aging to express their true flavors and aromas
What type of wines do sandy soils produce
- wines with more overt fruit characteristics
- these wines are open and easy - drinking
What is the main soils of the Cote de Sezanne
Chalk and Clay
Do the wine regions in France follow the political borders
Not always
What are the two primary chalks of Champagne
Belemnite and Micraster
What is Belemnite Chalk?
Refers to the ancient arrow or dart like relative of today’s Squid
What is Micraster Chalk?
Composed of fossilized sea urchins - a member of the starfish family
Which chalk is more preferred? Belemnite or Micraster? And why
Belemnite
- simply due to its location. It is found mostly in the upper and middle slope levels
Where is most Belemnite chalk located
the upper and middle slope levels
- this happens to be ideal for optimal sun exposure and moisture retention
Why is mid slope vineyards in such great position
They can ensure they will get maximum water retention.
- They collect the rainwater falling from above plus the rainwater running downhill from points above it
Where is Micraster Chalk located
Where the slope begins to flatten
What type of characteristic does chalk provide for the wine
- High in acid
- Reserved Aromatics
Kimmeridgean Marl is also known as
Virgulien marl
What is Exogyra Virgule
The fossilized marine deposit that are those of a small comma shaped oyster. This is what makes up kimmeidgean marl
What is the Kimmeridgean ring
A ring of limestone - rich marl outcrops that run through England and France
- the ring leaves England at the cliffs of Dover, dips under the English Channel and rises again as the cliffs of Normandy, France
Where does the name Kimmeridgean come from
The Dorset Village of Kimmeridge in England.
- This is where the soil was first classified
What area in Champagne is apart of the Kimmeridgean ring
Cote des Bar
What is Mono - Parcelles
Houses that capitalize on their special terriors
- Example: Philipponnat’s Clos des Goisses
Launched since 1935
What is Mono - Cru
Houses that opt to focus on the fruit from one village or cru
- Example - Salon’ Cuvee “S” Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs
Launched since 1921
Who has benefited the most behind the idea of singe vineyard / single village wines and why
Grower Producers
- they embrace vintage variation
- they embrace the signature flavors of a single cru / and or a single vineyard bottling
Why is the idea of what grower producers modus operandi frowned upon by the large houses in Champagne
Because the masions or negociants believe in maintaining a house style and in blending grapes
