Champagne Flashcards
Learn the history, local geography + topography, major grapes, and vinification method + steps for this iconic region. (58 cards)
What are the 3 main grape varietals used to make Champagne?
- Chardonnay (white)
- Pinot Noir (red)
- Meunier (red)
Where is the region of Champagne located in relation to Paris?
~90 miles (144km) northeast of Paris
What is the climate of Champagne?
Does anything influence this climate?
Cool continental
The Atlantic Ocean has been known to influence the region.
On what parallel is the Champagne region located?
49th parallel
What are the soils of Champagne?
- Chalk
- Limestone
It is not uncommon to find fossils from ancient sea beds in the soils of Champagne.
Photo taken April 2015
What 2 benefits do Champagne winegrowers have with their limestone and chalk soils?
- They’re permeable with good drainage; roots can grow quite deep;
- They retain a fairly constant temperature throughout the year
What are the weather threats Champagne faces?
- Rain
- Spring frost
- Summer hail
Are most champagnes bottled as single varietals or as blends?
Why?
Blends
- Weather in Champagne varies greatly from vintage to vintage, and the region’s northerly latitude makes it difficult to ripen grapes consistently. In order to produce a harmonious Champagne from year to year, blending is prioritized.
TRUE or FALSE:
Champagne can be composed of many different vineyard sites.
True
Different vineyard sites add different characteristics to the finished wine, from acidity to ripeness to fruit flavors.
TRUE or FALSE:
Champagne is allowed to be made from a single vintage.
True
In theory, Vintage champagnes are only produced in the best vintages – usually ~4-5 times per decade. Vintage champagnes are meant to show the favorable characteristics of the vintage and are never blends of different vintages (they’re always 100% from that declared vintage).
What winemaking method is used to make Champagne?
Méthode champenoise
What are synonyms for méthode champenoise?
-
Méthode classique
- term used for wines made outside the Champagne region but are made the same way as champagne
- Classic method
- Traditional method
- Méthode Traditionelle
What is the 1st step in making Méthode Champenoise?
Making the base wine.
- grapes pressed quickly to avoid skin contact and oxidation;
- grape must go through primary fermentation resulting in a low alcohol, high acid, lightly colored wine. This is your base wine.
What is the 2nd step of making Méthode Champenoise (after creating the base wine)?
Blending, aka assemblage
- once the base wine is made, the winemaker will blend the different base wines (different vintages, villages, etc.)
What step in Méthode Champenoise comes after blending?
Secondary fermentation
-
the blended base wine is bottled with liqueur de tirage (a mixture of yeast + sugar);
- the tirage ignites the secondary fermentation (because the yeasts will eat the sugar, creating CO2 and alcohol);
- bottle gets a crown cap (bottle cap), is laid on its side, and secondary fermentation begins;
- the CO2 created by the tirage is trapped and dissolves in the wine.
What are the 2 things tirage creates?
- CO2
- (a little bit of) Alcohol
What step in Méthode Champenoise comes after tirage?
Aging on the lees
- As the yeast cells from the tirage expire, they settle onto the bottom of the bottle;
- The wine rests on these expired yeast cells, called lees, for at least 12 months.
What is autolysis?
- A process when yeasts decompose;
- These dead yeast cells release proteins and flavor compounds redolent of bread;
- This sur lie aging will create flavors of biscuit, brioche, and toast.
Champagne must spend a minimum of ____ months aging sur lie and at least ____ months of total aging prior to release.
12 mos sur lie
15 mos prior to release
What is the name of the process that moves lees from the bottle to the neck post aging?
Riddling
- it’s the first part of the process of removing the spent lees
What is the French term for riddling?
Remuage
Describe the process of riddling.
- Each bottle is turned about 45º every day to gently cajole the lees into the neck of the bottle;
- Riddling is done until the bottle is standing upside down and all lees have settled into the bottle’s neck.
Is riddling done by hand or machine?
Riddling can be done by hand OR machine
What does riddling achieve in a bottle of Champagne?
Riddling results in a clear wine without any sediment or haziness.
