Champagne Flashcards

Question

How long must Special Club champagnes be aged on the lees before release?

Answer 1

B. Tirage The addition of the liqueur de tirage (a mixture of sugar, yeast, and wine) to the base wine, followed by bottling and sealing to initiate secondary fermentation. A. Prise de mousse The secondary fermentation in the bottle, during which carbon dioxide is produced, creating the wine's signature bubbles. D. Remuage The gradual riddling of the bottles to collect the yeast sediment (lees) in the neck of the bottle. C. Dégorgement The removal of the sediment by freezing the neck of the bottle and ejecting the frozen plug of lees. E. Liqueur d’expédition The addition of the dosage (a mixture of wine and sugar) to adjust the sweetness level before final corking and labeling.

Answer 2

b) Avize d) Le Mesnil-sur-Oger e) Oger

Answer 3

For a collector seeking wines with long-term aging potential, the 2013 vintage is the clear choice. Its high acidity, cool-climate precision, and classic structure ensure that the wines will evolve beautifully over time, gaining complexity and depth. The 2018 vintage, while excellent in its own right, is better suited for earlier enjoyment due to its riper fruit profile and softer acidity.

Answer 4

a) The Clos du Mesnil vineyard is located in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, situated in the Côte des Blancs. This village is renowned for its exceptional Chardonnay, producing wines with remarkable precision, minerality, and aging potential. b) The Clos du Mesnil vineyard is 1.84 hectares (4.5 acres) in size. It is a walled vineyard (clos), which is rare in Champagne, and its small size allows for meticulous care and attention to detail in both viticulture and winemaking. c) Terroir Expression: Clos du Mesnil: Focuses on the pure expression of a single vineyard, single grape variety (Chardonnay), and single vintage. It is a terroir-driven wine that reflects the unique characteristics of the Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru vineyard in a specific year. Grande Cuvée: Represents the art of blending, combining wines from over 120 parcels, multiple vintages (up to 20+ years), and all three Champagne grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier). It aims to achieve a consistent, complex, and harmonious style year after year. Production Philosophy: Clos du Mesnil: Produced in extremely limited quantities, often fewer than 15,000 bottles per vintage, due to the vineyard's small size and the strict selection process. Grande Cuvée: Produced on a much larger scale, showcasing Krug’s blending expertise and house style. Style and Profile: Clos du Mesnil: Offers a laser-focused, mineral-driven profile, with exceptional precision, tension, and aging potential. It is a wine of singularity and purity. Grande Cuvée: Rich, layered, and complex, with a broader flavor profile that combines freshness, richness, and depth from the blend of multiple components. Aging Potential: Both wines have extraordinary aging potential, but Clos du Mesnil is often regarded as a collector’s wine, capable of evolving for decades due to its high acidity and terroir-driven structure.

Answer 5

28 (as of 2023)

Answer 6

4: Paul Bara. Gaston Chiquet. Henri Goutorbe. Salmon

Answer 7

Fromenteau

Answer 8

The Montagne de Reims is a plateau with vineyards planted on its slopes and foothills, benefiting from excellent exposure to sunlight. The chalk subsoil is a defining feature, particularly on the mid-slopes, where it is most concentrated. The topsoil varies across the region, with a mix of clay, sand, and marl depending on the vineyard's location and elevation.

Answer 9

The Côte des Blancs is a south-facing escarpment, providing optimal sunlight exposure for ripening Chardonnay. The chalk subsoil dominates the region, particularly on the mid-slopes, where it is most concentrated. The topsoil is thin, allowing the vines to penetrate deep into the chalk layers, which enhances the expression of terroir.

Answer 10

The Marne River plays a significant role in shaping the region's soils, with alluvial deposits dominating the valley floor and clay-limestone more prevalent on the slopes. The diverse topography creates microclimates that influence ripening and grape variety suitability. The chalk subsoil is present in some areas, particularly on the higher slopes, but is less dominant compared to other Champagne sub-regions.

Answer 11

Composition: Derived from marine fossil deposits, particularly the remains of extinct squid-like creatures called belemnites. Rich in calcium carbonate and highly porous. Characteristics: Excellent drainage: Prevents waterlogging while retaining sufficient moisture for vines during dry periods. Heat retention: Reflects sunlight and stores warmth, aiding ripening in the cool Champagne climate. Promotes deep root penetration, allowing vines to access water and nutrients from lower layers. Impact on Wine: Contributes to the signature minerality, precision, and finesse of Côte des Blancs wines. Enhances acidity, which is crucial for the aging potential of Blanc de Blancs Champagnes.

Answer 12

Composition: Formed from fossilized sea urchins called micrasters, found in deeper subsoil layers. Similar to belemnite chalk but slightly less porous. Characteristics: Provides consistent water supply to the vines, even in dry conditions. Found in lower-lying areas of the Côte des Blancs. Impact on Wine: Adds roundness and subtle richness to the wines, complementing the minerality of belemnite chalk.

Answer 13

Composition: A mix of clay and limestone, often found in patches or at the base of slopes. Characteristics: Retains more water than chalk, providing a steady supply of moisture. Rich in nutrients, supporting healthy vine growth. Impact on Wine: Adds structure and body to the wines, balancing the high acidity of Chardonnay.

Answer 14

Composition: Found in certain areas, particularly on the valley floor and near the riverbanks. Characteristics: Drains quickly, preventing waterlogging in wetter areas. Warms up faster, promoting early ripening of grapes. Impact on Wine: Produces lighter, more aromatic wines with less structure. Particularly beneficial for Pinot Meunier, which ripens earlier than Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.

Answer 15

Composition: A mix of sand, silt, and clay deposited by the Marne River over time. Characteristics: Found primarily on the valley floor, these soils are fertile and retain moisture. Impact on Wine: Produces fruit-forward, approachable wines, often with less complexity but great drinkability.

Answer 16

Percentage of Plantings: ~30% of Champagne vineyards. Primary Role: Adds elegance, finesse, and acidity to blends; the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs Champagnes. Soil Preferences: Chalk (Belemnite and Micraster): Found in the Côte des Blancs (e.g., Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize). Chalk provides excellent drainage, retains moisture during dry periods, and reflects sunlight, aiding ripening. Enhances minerality, precision, and high acidity, hallmarks of Chardonnay in Champagne. Clay-Limestone (Marl): Found in some areas of the Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne. Adds roundness and richness to Chardonnay, balancing its natural acidity.

Answer 17

Percentage of Plantings: ~38% of Champagne vineyards. Primary Role: Provides structure, body, and red fruit flavors; the dominant grape in Blanc de Noirs Champagnes. Soil Preferences: Chalk (Belemnite): Found in the Montagne de Reims (e.g., Bouzy, Verzenay, Ambonnay) and Aube (Côte des Bar). Chalk enhances drainage and promotes deep root penetration, resulting in wines with structure, minerality, and aging potential. Clay-Limestone (Marl): Found in the Aube and parts of the Montagne de Reims. Retains moisture and nutrients, producing richer, fuller-bodied Pinot Noir with ripe fruit flavors.

Answer 18

Percentage of Plantings: ~32% of Champagne vineyards. Primary Role: Adds fruitiness, softness, and approachability to blends; thrives in cooler, wetter areas. Soil Preferences: Clay-Limestone (Marl): Found in the Vallée de la Marne (e.g., Châtillon-sur-Marne, Cumières). Retains water, which is beneficial for Meunier in wetter climates, producing fruit-forward, approachable wines. Sandy Soils: Found near riverbanks and lower slopes in the Vallée de la Marne. Warms quickly, promoting early ripening, which is ideal for Meunier’s shorter growing cycle. Produces lighter, aromatic wines with less structure.

Answer 19

A. 4 (Remuage: Riddling bottles to collect sediment in the neck). B. 1 (Dégorgement: Removal of sediment from the bottle). C. 2 (Liqueur d’expédition: Sugar and wine added to adjust sweetness). D. 3 (Prise de mousse: Secondary fermentation that creates bubbles).

Answer 20

Purpose: To prevent tartrate crystals from forming in the bottle. Stage: Typically performed after the first fermentation, before bottling for secondary fermentation.

Answer 21

Autolysis is a critical process in Champagne production that occurs during the lees aging phase, following the secondary fermentation in the bottle. It refers to the breakdown of dead yeast cells (lees) over time, releasing compounds that significantly influence the wine's texture, flavor, and complexity.

Answer 22

A Champagne house or producer that purchases grapes, must, or base wine from growers to produce Champagne. NMs may also use grapes from their own vineyards, but they rely heavily on sourcing fruit from multiple growers.

Answer 23

A grower-producer who grows their own grapes and produces Champagne exclusively from their own vineyards. The producer must use at least 95% of their own grapes, with only a small allowance for purchased fruit (if needed).

Answer 24

Ruinart (1729)

Answer 25

The oldest producer in Champagne is Gosset, founded in 1584. It is widely recognized as the oldest wine house in Champagne, though it originally produced still wines (both red and white) before the region became famous for sparkling wine.

Champagne Flashcards

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