Zraly Test Champagne Flashcards
What do Champagne, Port and Sherry have in common?
They are all blended wines and the shipper is responsible for all phases of production - you buy based on the reputation and reliability of the shipper
Where is the region of Champagne located in France and what are the 4 main areas within the region?
1.5 hours NE of Paris Valley of the Marne Mountain of Reims Cotes des Blancs Cote des Bar
What are the 3 grapes of Champagne and what percent is planted of each?
Pinot Noir - 38%
Pinot Meunier - 35%
Chardonnay - 27%
What are the 3 major types of Champagne and how are they different?
- Nonvintage/multiple vintage - blend of 2 or more harvests (60-80% current vintage and 20-40% from previous vintages
- Vintage - from a single vintage
- “Prestige” Cuvee - from a single vintage with longer aging requirements
What is the process of making Champagne called?
Methode Champenoise - not allowed in EU or outside of Champagne
How long must a NV Classic Champagne be aged?
15 months
How long must a Vintage Champagne be aged?
3 years
What is Liqueur de Tirage?
after the blending process the winemaker adds a blend of sugar and yeast to begin the wine’s second fermentation. Wine is placed in its permanent bottle with temporary cap.
What does “riddling” mean?
After secondary fermentation wine bottles are placed in A frame racks, necks down, and each bottle is given a slight turn while gradually tipping the bottle further downward until it is almost completely upside down with sediment resting in the neck of the bottle
What does “degorgement” mean?
Top of the bottle is dipped in a brine solution to freeze it, then the temporary cap is removed and out fly the frozen sediments propelled by the Carbon Dioxide
What does “dosage” mean?
Combination of wine and cane sugar is added to the bottle after degorgement - determines if Champagne will be sweeter or drier
What are the 4 levels of dryness/sweetness determined by the level of dosage?
Brut: Dry
Extra Dry: Semidry
Sec: Semisweet
Demi-sec: Sweet
What is a “Blanc de Blanc” Champagne made from?
100% Chardonnay
What is a “Blanc de Noir” Champagne made from?
100% Pinot Noir
How many PSI are in a bottle of Champagne?
close to 90lbs per square inch
6 atmospheres of pressure = 3 times the amount of pressure in a car tire