45. Champagne Flashcards
(101 cards)
Name the 3 most famous sub-regions of Champagne and the main grapes grown in each.
Cote des Blancs (Ch), Montagne de Reims (PN), Vallee de las Marne (PM).
Name the three modern grapes of Champagne.
Pinot Noir (PN), Pinot Meunier (PM), Chardonnay (Ch)
Compare acidity of the 3 grapes of Champagne.
Chardonnay has the highest acidity.
Name 3 additional grapes authorized for Champagne.
Pinot Blanc (w), Arbane (w) and Petit Meslier (w)
Describe the situation of first French sparkling wine.
Monks of Saint Hilaire near Limoux making Blanquettte de Limoux in the 1500’s.
When did first vineyards appear in Champagne?
1st to 4th century AD while controlled by Celtic tribes
Describe the first famous wines of Champagne region.
Red still wines from Ay in the 9th century
In what century where the champagne houses established?
18th century, starting with Ruinart in 1729
What is the climate of Champagne?
cool continental, average temperature during growing season is 16C. (FWS notes maritime influences)
When was golden age of Champagne?
started in early 20th century
What is the soil of Cote des Bar?
Champagne region with Kimmeridgean clay (limestone-rich marl, similar to Chablis and Sancerre)
What were the contributions of Dom Perignon in the production of champagne?
a) create cuvee of 3 grapes, b) recognizing the value of natural cork seals, c) recognized the usefulness of strong English glass [mnemonic: GCC - glass, cork, cuvee]
What was the contribution of Nicole Barbe Ponsardin (Veuve Cliquot) in the production of champagne?
riddling or remuage, collecting the lees in the neck of the bottle [mneumonic: VCR]
What was the contribution of Brother Jean Oudart in the production of champagne?
Tirage or bottling, adding yeast and sugar (liqueur de tirage) into still wine; developed vineyards that later came under the control of Tattinger
What is Prise de Mousse?
the seizing of the foam or second alcoholic fermentation.
What is the order of steps in making champagne?
Hand harvest and pressing;
(separate) Primary fermentation (with dissipation of CO2);
blending (Assemblage);
Secondary fermentation (addition of liqueur de tirage aka prise de mousse);
Yeast autolysis (elevation sur lattes);
Riddling (remuage);
Degorgement;
addition of liqueur d’expedition (dosage)
Corking
[mneumonic HPA-SYR-DEC]
What are the 7 sub-regions of Champagne?
Cote des Bar, Montagne de Reims, Val de Reims, Vallee de la Marne, Cote des Blancs, Cote de Sezanne, Vitry-le-Francois
What is juponne?
mushroom shaped or skirt shaped cork, young cork
What is cheville?
peg-shaped cork, usually older
What is the significance of Troye?
In the Aube region, Troye once was the capital of Champagne region. Initially not part of 1908 growing delineation, it was added to official growing region in 1927.
What kind of chalk are found in Champagne?
Two kinds of chalk, the belemnite and the micraster can be found in Champagne.
Which kind of chalk is associated with the best vineyards?
Belemnite limestone is found in the mid-slope of best vineyards. Belemnite is composed of squid relative. Micraster chalk is formed from fossilized sea urchins.
What is wet champagne area?
Cote des Bar, limestone rich marl soil type does not have water-retention capacity of chalk. This is good for Pinot Noir.
What was the contribution of Madame Pommery in the production of champagne?
Production of less sweet versions of champagne (after overthrow of Tsar)
