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WSET Level 3 > Sparkling wines of the world > Flashcards

Sparkling wines of the world Flashcards

1
Q

Name the 5 sub-regions within Champagne.

A

Montagne de Reims, Vallee de la Marne and the Cote des Blancs (three most famous). Cote de Sezanne lies 30km SW of Epernay and the Cote des Bar is 100km SE.

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2
Q

Describe the climate of Champagne.

A

cool continental climate - spring frosts, winter freeze and cloudy, rainy weather. Even in the warmest years, sugars remain low and acids remain high.

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3
Q

What do growers do in Champagne to minimise the risk of frost?

A

Plant vineyards on slopes.

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4
Q

Describe the soil type in Champagne.

A

Chalk - good drainage but also retains enough water during dry periods.

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5
Q

Name the 3 grape varieties grown in the Champagne region.

A

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier

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6
Q

Which regions in Champagne is Chardonnay most planted?

Describe the style of Chardonnay in Champagne.

A

Chardonnay is more widely planted in Cote des Blanc and Cote de Sezanne.

Style: lighter bodied than in Burgundy and has high acidity with floral and citrus fruit character.

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7
Q

Which regions in Champagne is Pinot Noir most planted and what is the style?

A

Montagne de Reims and Cotes des Bar.
Style: Wines with greater body and provides structural backbone to blends. It can also give blends a red fruit character.

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8
Q

Which region in Champagne is Pinot Meunier most planted?

A

Valle de la Marne because it buds late and this protects it from the spring frosts.
Style: fruity flavours to a blend which is important for wines that are supposed to be enjoyed young.

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9
Q

Which winemaking method is used in Champagne

A

Traditional Method

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10
Q

What is the cuvee in Champagne?

A

The first pressed juice which is the purest. The best Champagnes will be made using solely the cuvee.

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11
Q

What is the remaining juice called after pressing?

A

Taille

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12
Q

Why is blending so important when making Champagne?

A

In order to achieve a similar house style each year because the weather is so varied.

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13
Q

Describe the ageing requirements for non-vintage and vintage Champagne.

A

Non vintage wines: minimum 15 months including at least 12 months on the lees
Vintage wines must be matured for minimum 36 months

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14
Q

Describe the styles of Champagne

A
  • Non vintage wines are usually lighter in body with more fresh fruit flavours
  • Vintage wines are made during the best years and are often more concentrated and display more toasty, biscuity notes from longer lees ageing.
  • Rose Champagne can be made in a non-vintage or vintage style. They can develop aromas from autolysis and red berry notes.
  • Blanc de Blancs are light to medium bodied with citrus primary fruit
  • Blanc de Noirs are fuller in body and have more red fruit flavours.
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15
Q

Describe the style of a Prestige Cuvee.

A

These are often closed and austere in their youth and can benefit from several years of cellaring.

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16
Q

What does Crémant mean?

A

A term used to refer to sparkling AC’s in France.

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17
Q

What are the three most popular Crémant AC’s in France?

A

Crémant d’Alsace, Crémant d’Bourgogne and Crémant de Loire

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18
Q

What is the second most popular sparkling wine region in France?

A

The Loire Valley - Saumur and Vouvray

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19
Q

Describe sparkling Saumur.

A

It can be made from a range of local varieties as well as Chardonnay, with Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, is an important ingredient in the best wines. Sparkling red wines are made using Cabernet Franc.

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20
Q

Describe sparkling Vouvray.

A

It is made in greater volume than still Vouvray and most is made solely from Chenin Blanc. Chenin Blanc has naturally high acidity which makes it well suited to sparkling wine production. It doesn’t taste as bready and biscuity as Chardonnay or Pinot Noir and the autolytic character tends to be more smoky and toasty.

21
Q

Describe the style used in making sparkling Vouvray and Saumur and how many months are spent on the lees.

A

Both are made using the traditional method and spend minimum of 9 months on the lees.

22
Q

Where is Cava permitted to be made?

A

Most comes from the Catalan vineyards centred around the town of Sant Sadurni d’Anoia.
Navarra, Rioja and Valencia are also permitted to make Cava.

23
Q

Describe the method used for making Cava.

A

The traditional method and must spend a minimum of 9 months on the lees.

24
Q

Name the grape varieties used for making Cava.

A

Macabeo (Viura), Xarel-lo and Parellada (white wines)

Garnacha and Monastrell (rose wines)

25
Q

Describe the style of Cava.

A

Style: Dry, medium acidity with some character from yeast autolysis. Lower acidity makes Cava an approachable, easy drinking style. Few producers make premium Cavas that undergo extensive lees ageing.

26
Q

Where is Asti made? What grape variety is used?

A

The Asti DOCG is located in Piemonte in NW Italy. It is made from Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains using the Asti Method.

27
Q

Describe the style of sparkling wine from Asti.

A

Style: grapey character. The best examples have pronounced fruity aromas of peach and grape overlaid with floral notes. Sweet, low in alcohol (7%) and is made without any autolytic characters. Should be drunk young and doesn’t benefit from age.

28
Q

Describe where Prosecco comes from and the two regions.

A

NE Italy
Two regions Prosecco DOC (covers a large part of Veneto and Friuli) and the higher quality Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG.

29
Q

What two terms indicate a wine from an exceptional vineyard site?

A

Cartizze and Rive

30
Q

What grape variety is used in Prosecco DOC and Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG?

A

Glera. It used to be called Prosecco but was changed to protect the integrity of these two regions.

31
Q

Which method is used to make Prosecco?

A

Tank method

32
Q

Describe the style and residual sugar levels of Prosecco.

A

The wines have medium acidity with fresh aromas of green apple and melon. It is made in Brut, Extra-dry and Dry style.
In Prosecco, residual sugar is usually a result of stopping the fermentation by chilling and filtering.
The wines are meant to be consumed young and don’t benefit from further ageing.

33
Q

Which country has the highest per capita consumption rate of sparkling wine?

A

Germany and most of this is Sekt.

34
Q

How is Sekt made?

A

Tank method - The base wines come from France or Italy.

35
Q

What is Deutscher Sekt?

A

Sparkling wine only made from grapes grown in Germany. The best is made from Riesling.

36
Q

What is the superior appellation label in Germany for Sekt?

A

Deutscher Sekt bA.

Some premium Sekt wines will be made using the traditional method.

37
Q

What regions in Australia produce sparkling wines that are complex, elegant and made in a traditional method?

A

Cool and moderate regions such as the Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills and Tasmania produce sparkling wines that are made in a traditional style and are complex and elegant from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

38
Q

Where are inexpensive white sparkling wines made in Australia?

A

Inexpensive sparkling wines are produced in warmer regions such as Riverina. They are fruity in style and come in a range of sweetness levels. Many different varieties are used.

39
Q

Even though their popularity is in decline, what grapes are used in sparkling red wines from Australia?

A

Shiraz and as well as some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

40
Q

Describe the style of inexpensive red sparkling wines from Australia.

A

Inexpensive red sparkling wines are made using the tank or carbonation method. These tend to be full-bodied with red berry fruit, smooth tannins and some residual sugar.

41
Q

Where are grapes for sparkling wines grown in New Zealand.

A

All regions except Auckland. Marlborough produces the highest volumes. The North Island produces a richer style and winemakers will often take advantage of this by making cross regional blends.

42
Q

What methods are used to make sparkling Sauvignon Blanc in NZ?

A

Tank or carbonation methods - to retain intense aromas and flavours of this grape variety.

43
Q

How are sparkling wines labelled in South Africa using the traditional method?

A

Methode Cap Classique.

44
Q

Where do the best sparkling wines come from in South Africa?

A

Fruit comes from the Western Cape and the best wines are made using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Best sites are on hillside slopes with SE aspect or near the coast.

45
Q

In order to be a part of the Cap Classique Producers Association, how long must they age their wine on the lees?

A

A minimum of 12 months.

46
Q

In order to label a bottle of sparkling from South Africa as Cap Classique, how many months must the wine age on the lees?

A

9 months.

47
Q

Which area in the USA produces the best sparkling wines?

A

California produces the majority of sparkling wine. The best come from cooler sites such as Los Carneros AVA and Anderson Valley AVA.
-Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Typically aged on the lees for an extended time.
The best wines are complex with high acidity.

48
Q

Where are inexpensive sparkling wines made in the USA

A

Central Valley - fruity and often medium-sweet to sweet in style.

WSET Level 3 (46 decks)

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