Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

CMS - Intro Somm > Champagne and World Sparkling Wines - CMS Intro Somm > Flashcards

Champagne and World Sparkling Wines - CMS Intro Somm Flashcards

(76 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Where is the Champagne region located?

A

About 90 miles northeast of Paris in northern France

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What type of climate does the Champagne region have?

A

Cool continental

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

At what parallel is the Champagne region located?

A

49th parallel

Champagne has no natural protection from the Atlantic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is notable about the weather in the Champagne region?

A

Often cloudy and unpredictable

Such conditions contribute to it being one of the coolest wine growing regions in the world.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Champagne is one of the coolest wine growing regions in the world. True or False?

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What type of soil does Champagne have?

A

Limestone and chalk

These soils provide good drainage while also retaining moisture.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the key characteristics of the soils in Champagne?

A
  • Vine roots can dig deep in these soils, which provide good drainage while also retaining moisture
  • Maintain a relatively constant temperature throughout the year.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the main white and red grape varieties used in Champagne?

A

* White: Chardonnay
* Red: Pinot Noir, Meunier.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What persistent threats do growers in Champagne face?

A

Rain, frost, and hail.

This is due to the northern location

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the primary focus of vinification in Champagne?

A

Blends.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are most Champagne wines a blend of?

A
  • Grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier)
  • Sub-regions, villages and vineyards
  • Vintages
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does méthode champenoise refer to?

A

A specific way of creating sparkling wine encoded in regional wine laws.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What must all wines labeled as Champagne be?

A

Sparkling and made using méthode champenoise.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is méthode classique?

A

The term used for méthode champenoise when making sparkling wines outside of Champagne.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How are grapes pressed for traditional method sparkling wines?

A

Grapes are pressed quickly and gently to avoid retaining color and prevent oxidation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What characteristics does the base wine of a traditional method sparkling wine have?

A
  • Light in color
  • Low in alcohol
  • High acidity

Fermentation can occur in stainless-steel tanks or oak barrels.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the process of assembling the blend of Champagne called?

A

Assemblage of the “Cuvée”

Champagne can be a blend of grapes, vintages (seen on the label as non-vintage), regions, villages, or vineyards.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the difference between the Liqueur de tirage and the Liqueur d’expédition?

A
  • Liqueur de tirage is a syrupy mixture of yeast and sugar added to the base wine of traditional method sparkling wine to induce secondary fermentation.
  • Liqueur d’expédition is a mixture of wine and sugar added to the bottle after disgorgement.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is added to the base wine of traditional method sparkling wine to induce secondary fermentation?

A

Liqueur de tirage

This is a syrupy mixture of yeast and sugar.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What happens during secondary fermentation?

A

Yeast metabolizes the sugar, creating a small amount of alcohol and carbon dioxide (CO2)

The CO2 is trapped in the bottle, creating bubbles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is sur lie aging?

A

Aging the wine on the lees in the bottle

Imparts aromas and flavors reminiscent of yeast, dough, and fresh-baked-bread.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How long must Champagne age on the lees by law?

A

At least 12 months

This is part of the minimum 15 months of total aging required.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the purpose of riddling (remuage)?

A

Removal of sediment in order to have a clear wine

Each bottle is gently turned to gradually move the lees into its neck.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is a pupitre?

A

A wooden A-frame wine rack that holds 60 bottles; used for riddling by hand

It was first created by Widow Cliquot from her dining room table expressly for this purpose.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
How long does riddling take if done by hand?
About 8 weeks ## Footnote Each bottle is hand-turned.
26
What is a gyropalette?
A machine that can hold 504 bottles for riddling ## Footnote It takes approximately 8 days to complete the process.
27
What is the process of disgorging (dégorgement)?
Removal of sediment from the bottle neck ## Footnote Each bottle’s neck is frozen in an ice bath to eject the yeast. This can be done by hand or, as is more often the case, by machine.
28
What is added to the bottle after disgorgement?
Liqueur d’expédition ## Footnote This is a mixture of wine and sugar.
29
What determines the sweetness level of Champagne?
The amount of sugar added during dosage ## Footnote This affects the style of the Champagne.
30
What are the steps in the traditional method of making sparkling wine
1. Making the Base Still Wine 2. Assemblage of the "Cuvée" -- Assembling the Blend 3. Secondary Fermentation -- Creating the Bubbles 4. Sur Lie Aging 5. Riddling (Remuage) -- Removal of Sediment Part 1 6. Disgorging (Dégorgement) -- Removal of Sediment Part 7. Dosage ## Footnote All steps happen in the same bottle.
31
What is the next step after creating the base wine for traditional method sparkling wines?
The base wine is bottled with the liqueur de tirage and sealed with a crown cap for secondary fermentation
32
What is autolysis?
After the liqueur de tirage has induced secondary fermentation, the yeast cells gradually break down.
33
What are the Champagne sweetness levels and style categories?
* Brut Nature (Non Dosé) -- Bone Dry * Extra Brut -- Very Dry * Brut -- Dry * Extra Dry -- Off Dry * Sec -- Semi Sweet * Demi Sec -- Sweet * Doux -- Very Sweet
34
Name the three Champagne sub-regions.
* Vallée de la Marne * Côte des Blancs * Montagne de Reims
35
What is the minimum aging period for Non-Vintage (NV) Champagne?
15 months ## Footnote At least 12 months must be spent on the lees.
36
What is the minimum aging period for Vintage Champagne?
36 months ## Footnote Many producers exceed this minimum aging period.
37
What does 'on the lees' refer to in the context of Champagne aging?
The sediment left after fermentation ## Footnote Aging on the lees can enhance the wine's flavor and complexity.
38
What is the Champagne appellation?
Champagne AOP ## Footnote Sparkling wine made via the méthode Champenoise
39
What does Blanc de Blancs refer to?
100% Chardonnay Champagne
40
What is Blanc de Noirs?
Champagne made with only the dark grapes Pinot Noir and Meunier
41
What is a Single Vineyard Champagne?
A noted single vineyard on the label
42
Define Clos or Mono Parcel in Champagne production.
A noted single parcel in a vineyard under a single ownership
43
What is a Cuvée Prestige or Tête de Cuvée in the context of Champagne?
The top-end bottling of a particular Champagne house or producer ## Footnote Typically represents the best grapes and meticulous production techniques.
44
What are the top-end bottlings of a particular Champagne house or producer called?
Cuvée Prestige or Tête de Cuvée
45
What are Négociants in Champagne production?
Champagne producers who buy grapes, juice, or finished wine and bottle the wine under their own name or label ## Footnote They may not own vineyards but play a significant role in the Champagne market.
46
What are Growers in Champagne production?
Champagne producers that make wine from grapes grown in vineyards they own
47
What are the styles of Champagne
* Rosé * Blanc de Blancs * Blanc de Noirs
48
What causes wide vintage variations in wine quality?
Huge weather extremes result in quality variations from season to season and year to year.
49
Are vintage Champagnes produced every year?
No, there are a limited number of vintage wines in a decade. ## Footnote Vintage wines are produced in years deemed exceptional for grape growing.
50
Are most Champagnes vintage or non-vintage wines?
Non-vintage
51
What are the top recent red vintages of Champagne?
* 2005 * 2008 * 2012 * 2013 * 2015
52
What are the top recent white vintages of Champagne?
* 2006 * 2007 * 2009 * 2010 * 2011 * 2014
53
What are the advantages of Méthode Champenoise?
* Extended lees contact * Intense lees flavor
54
What are 4 examples of sparkling wines made from Méthode Champenoise?
* Champagne * Crémant * Cava * Franciacorta
55
What are the steps of the transfer method for sparkling wine?
1. Base wine is bottled 2. Sugar and yeast added 3. Second fermentation 4. Yeast autolysis 5. Bottles emptied into large tanks under pressure 6. Filtered 7. Dosage 8. Rebottled
56
What are the advantages of the transfer method for sparkling wine?
* Lees contact * Eliminates the need for riddling
57
How are transfer method sparkling wines typically sold?
Large- and small- format bottling of Champagne and other sparkling wines
58
What are the steps of the Tank/Charmat Method for sparkling wine?
1. Base wine is sealed in pressurized tank 2. Sugar and yeast added 3. Second fermentation in tank 4. Filtered under pressure 5. Dosage under pressure
59
What are the advantages of the Tank/Charmat Method for sparkling wine?
* Saves time! Fermentation finishes in 4 – 5 days * No costly riddling or disgorging * Best process for aromatic varieties
60
What are 3 examples of sparkling wines made with the Tank/Charmat Method?
* Prosecco * Moscato d’Asti * Lambrusco
61
What is a Crémant?
A term used for all French sparkling wines grown outside Champagne that are produced by the méthode champenoise ## Footnote The law requires that the method must be identified on labels as méthode classique.
62
Name three examples of Crémant.
* Crémant de Bourgogne * Crémant d’Alsace * Crémant de Loire
63
Crémant is produced using which method?
Méthode champenoise ## Footnote This method is also referred to as méthode classique on labels.
64
Fill in the blank: Crémant is a term used for all French sparkling wines grown outside _______.
Champagne
65
What sparkling wine comes from Asti DOCG (Piedmont)?
Moscato d’Asti
66
Which method is used to produce Moscato d’Asti?
Charmat/tank method
67
What region is Prosecco from?
Veneto
68
How is Prosecco made?
Charmat/tank method
69
Which region is known for Lambrusco?
Emilia-Romagna
70
What method is used to produce Lambrusco?
Charmat/tank method
71
What is the production method for Franciacorta DOCG?
Méthode classique ## Footnote Often referred to in Italian as the metodo classico or metodo tradizionale.
72
Which grape varieties are used in Franciacorta?
Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco ## Footnote These varieties are also used in traditional Champagne.
73
What are the main Italian sparkling wines and their regions?
* Asti DOCG (Piedmont) * Prosecco (Veneto) * Lambrusco (Emilia-Romagna) * Franciacorta DOCG (Lombardy)
74
What is the designation of origin for Cava?
Cava DO (Catalonia)
75
What method is used to produce Cava?
Classic Method
76
Which grape varieties are used in Cava production?
* Xarel-lo * Parellada * Macabeo

CMS - Intro Somm (24 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions