Champagne

Question 1

What are the primary grapes used in the production of champagne?

Answer 1

Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Pinot Meunier

Question 2

For how long have wines from the Champagne region been known?

Answer 2

Since before medieval times

Question 3

In what part of France is the Champagne region?

Answer 3

Northeast

Question 4

Who were the first to plant vines in the Champagne region?

Answer 4

The Romans

Question 5

By when was the Champagne region cultivated?

Answer 5

By the 5th century, possibly earlier

Question 6

Dom Perignon invented Champagne. True or False?

Answer 6

False

Question 7

What is the oldest recorded sparkling wine?

Answer 7

Blanquette de Limoux

Question 8

Who invented Blanquette de Limoux?

Answer 8

Benedictine monks

Question 9

Where was Blanquette de Limoux invented?

Answer 9

Abbey of Saint Hilaire, near Carcassonne

Question 10

When was Blanquette de Limoux invented?

Answer 10

1531

Question 11

What was Champagne first called?

Answer 11

The Devil’s Wine (le vin du diable)

Question 12

Why was Champagne called the Devil’s Wine at first?

Answer 12

It’s pressure caused corks to jolt off and bottles to explode

Question 13

In the 19th century Champagne was noticeably ……… than the Champagne of today.

Answer 13

sweeter

Question 14

The trend towards drier Champagne began when…

Answer 14

Perrier-Jouët decided not to sweeten his 1846 vintage prior to exporting it to London.

Question 15

The designation Brut Champagne, the modern Champagne, was created for whom?

Answer 15

The British

Question 16

The designation Brut Champagne was created when?

Answer 16

1876

Question 17

Under the auspices of what organisation is the Champagne community organised?

Answer 17

Comite Interprofessionel du Vin de Champagne

Question 18

Give 3 examples of the rules and regulations put in place by the Champagne growers to protect their economic interests.

Answer 18

1. Codification of the most suitable growing places
2. Codification of the most suitable grapes
3. A lengthy set of requirements specifying most aspects of viticulture

Question 19

Must champagne be exclusively made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier or Chardonnay?

Answer 19

No

Question 20

Give 4 examples of the requirements in relation to viticulture put down by the Champagne growers.

Answer 20

1. Pruning
2. Vineyard Yield
3. Degree of Pressing
4. Time that the wine must remain on its lees before bottling

Question 21

The name Champagne is legally protected by which treaty?

Answer 21

The Treaty of Madrid (1891)

Question 22

The Treaty of Madrid reserves the name Champagne for what?

Answer 22

The sparkling wine produced by the eponymous region

Question 23

In how many countries is the name Champagne protected?

Answer 23

Over 70

Question 24

Which are the most recent countries to sign agreements with Europe over the use of the name Champagne?

Answer 24

Canada, Australia and Chile

Question 25

What is sparkling wine called in Spain?

Answer 25

Cava

Question 26

What is sparkling wine called in Italy?

Answer 26

Spumante

Question 27

What is sparkling wine called in South Africa?

Answer 27

Cap Classique

Question 28

An Italian wine made from the Muscat grape uses the DOCG ....

Answer 28

Asti

Question 29

An Italian wine made from the .... grape uses the DOCG Asti

Answer 29

Muscat

Question 30

What is a common sparkling wine in Germany?

Answer 30

Sekt

Question 31

Can other French regions use the name Champagne?

Answer 31

No

Question 32

What sparkling wines do Burgundy and Alsace produce?

Answer 32

Cremant

Question 33

The village of Champagne, Switzerland has traditionally produced ...

Answer 33

A still wine

Question 34

Since when did viticulture date in the village of Champagne, Switzerland?

Answer 34

1657

Question 35

In an accord with ...., the Swiss government conceded in 1999 that by 2004 the village of Champagne would phase out use of the name Champagne.

Answer 35

the EU

Question 36

In an accord with the EU, ...... conceded in 1999 that by 2004 the village of Champagne would phase out use of the name Champagne.

Answer 36

The Swiss government

Question 37

In an accord with the EU, the Swiss government conceded in ... that by 2004 the village of Champagne would phase out use of the name Champagne.

Answer 37

1999

Question 38

In an accord with the EU, the Swiss government conceded in 1999 that by ... the village of Champagne would phase out use of the name Champagne.

Answer 38

2004

Question 39

By how much did sales of the wine produced by Champagne, Switzerland fall once it stopped using the Champagne name?

Answer 39

From 110,000 to 32,000 bottles

Question 40

When did the villagers of Champagne, Switzerland resolve to fight against the restriction against the use of the Champagne name?

Answer 40

April 2008

Question 41

The villagers of Champagne, Switzerland resolved to fight against the restriction against the use of the Champagne name after what?

Answer 41

A Swiss open-air vote

Question 42

How many Champagne houses are there in the Champagne region?

Answer 42

Over 100

Question 43

How many vigneron (vine-growing producers) are their in the Champagne region?

Answer 43

About 19,000

Question 44

What are most champagnes made out of?

Answer 44

A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (e.g. 60%/40%)

Question 45

Blanc de Blanc champagnes are made from...

Answer 45

100% Chardonnay

Question 46

What are Champagnes made from 100% Chardonnay called?

Answer 46

Blanc de Blanc

Question 47

Blance de Noir is made from...

Answer 47

Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier

Question 48

What is champagne made from Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier called?

Answer 48

Blanc de Noir

Question 49

In which 2 sizes of bottles is Champagne mostly fermented?

Answer 49

Standard bottles (750 ml) or magnums (1.5 litres)

Question 50

Which bottle size is considered superior for Champagne?

Answer 50

Magnums

Question 51

Why are magnums considered a superior bottle for Champagne?

Answer 51

1. Less oxygen in the bottle | 2. Volume to surface area favours the creation of appropriately sized bubbles

Question 52

A recent joint study by ... showed moderate consumptions of Champagne may help the brain cope with the trauma of stroke, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease

Answer 52

the University of Reading and University of Cagliari

Question 53

A recent joint study by the University of Reading and University of Cagliari showed moderate consumptions of Champagne may help the brain cope with the trauma of ....

Answer 53

Stroke, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease