Chap 42: Sparkling Wines of the World Flashcards
(136 cards)
1
Q
How many appellations are there in the Champagne region?
A
One
2
Q
What is the one appellation in the Champagne region?
A
Champagne AC
3
Q
How many villages within Champagne have premier cru status?
A
44
4
Q
How many villages within Champagne have grand cru status?
A
17
5
Q
What are the crus in Champagne?
A
The entire village rather than a specific vineyard
6
Q
What are the production restrictions in the crus of Champagne?
A
There are no additional requirements
7
Q
Why is a Champagne wine coming from a cru not necessarily a sign of consistent quality?
A
As a cru is an entire village, not every plot will have the same potential
8
Q
How many sub-appellations are there within Champagne?
A
Five
9
Q
What are the three most famous sub-regions of Champagne?
A
Montagne de Reims
Vallée de la Marne
Côte des Blancs
10
Q
Where in Champagne is the Côte de Sézanne?
A
Approximately 30 kilometres south-west of Épernay
11
Q
Where is the Côte des Bar?
A
Over 100km to the south-east of Épernay
12
Q
What is the climate of Champagne?
A
Cool continental
13
Q
What are the biggest climatic threats a Champagne producer has to face?
A
Winter freeze, spring frost and rainy, cloudy weather
14
Q
What makes the Champagne region ideal for sparkling grape growing?
A
Even in the warmest years, grape sugar levels remain very low and acid levels are very high
15
Q
How is the threat of frost minimised in Champagne?
A
Most vineyards are planted on slopes
16
Q
What is the dominant part of soils of Champagne?
A
Chalk
17
Q
What is the main quality of chalk as a soil constituent?
A
They provide good drainage after rain storms but retain a sufficient quantity of water in dry periods
18
Q
What is a new focus for Champagne producers?
A
They are now fully committed to sustainable agriculture and have ambitious targets to reduce their use of man-made fertilisers and pesticides
19
Q
What are the three grape varieties used in Champagne?
A
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Pinot Meunier
20
Q
Where in Champagne is Chardonnay most widely planted?
A
Côte des Blancs and Côte de Sézanne
21
Q
Describe Chardonnay from Champagne (body, acidity, flavor)
A
Lighter-bodied than in Burgundy
High acidity
Floral and citrus fruit character
22
Q
Where in Champagne does Pinot Noir dominate?
A
Montagne de Reims and Côte des Bar
23
Q
Describe wines from Pinot Noir in Champagne
A
produces wine of greater body and provides the structural backbone to most blends
24
Q
Where in Champagne does Meunier predominate? Why?
A
Vallée de la Marne, because it buds late, protecting it from the spring frosts that occur more frequently in this region
25
What does Meunier contribute to a blend in Champagne?
Fruity flavours & especially important for wines that are made to be enjoyed while young
26
Describe harvesting in Champagne
Grapes must be hand-picked to allow selection in the vineyard and retain whole, healthy bunches
27
Describe pressing in Champagne
Highly controlled:
* Cuvee = the first liquid to come off the press (contains purest juice)
* Taille = the second press
28
What is the role of pressing in the best Champagnes?
The best will be made solely from the cuvée
29
What vessels are used to ferment Champagnes?
Stailess steel, oak barrels or a mixture of the two
30
Which processes are used in Champagne making after the initial fermentation?
MLF/oak ageing may or may not be used, depending on house style
31
Why is blending so important in Champagne?
Because weather can vary so significantly from year to year
32
How may a greater number of blending options be made available to a Champagne producer?
By a producer fermenting in small parcels
33
How will large Champagne producers achieve their house style year after year?
They will use dozens of wines in their blends
34
What is length of ageing (including time on lees) dependent on in Champagne?
The style of wine being made
35
What are the ageing requirements for non-vintage wines in Champagne?
They must be aged for a minimum of 15 months with at least 12 months on the lees
36
What are the ageing requirements for vintage wines in Champagne?
36 months with at least 12 months on the lees
37
What is the reality of wine ageing in Champagne?
Winemakers frequently age their wines for longer than the minimum requirements
38
What are the consistent flavour features between all styles of Champagne?
High acidity and autolytic flavours
39
What are the general characteristics of non-vintage Champagne wines relative to their vintage counterparts?
Generally lighter in body with more fresh fruit flavours
40
Describe the finest examples of non-vintage Champagne
Some complexity from the use of reserve wines
41
When are vintage Champagnes made?
Only in the best years
42
What are the characteristics of vintage Champagne relative to their non-vintage counterparts?
Often more concentrated
| More toasty and biscuity notes from longer time on lees
43
Is Rosé Champagne usually vintage or non-vintage?
Can be either
44
Describe the best rosé Champagnes
They delicately balance aromas from autolysis with subtle fruity red berry notes
45
Describe Blanc de Blancs wines
Light-to-medium bodied with citrus primary fruit, can be more austere in youth but can age for a long time
46
Describe Blanc de Noirs wines
Fuller in body, but can age more quickly
47
What does Prestige Cuvée usually represent in Champagne?
The finest wines in a producer's range
48
Describe Prestige Cuvée wines in Champagne
Often but not always vintage
Made from the best parcels of grapes
Often closed and austere in youth, so requiring several years cellaring before consumption
Command premium prices
49
What is by far the most popular sweetness level of Champagne?
Brut
50
What is the rising trend in sweetness styles of Champagnes?
Brut nature
51
What proportion of the market do Brut nature wines represent?
Very small
52
What does the term crémant apply to?
A number of french sparkling wine ACs
53
What are the the most important crémant wines?
Crémant d'Alsace
Crémant de Bourgogne
Crémant de Loire
54
How are crémant wines made and what are their ageing requirements?
Traditional method and must spend a minimum of nine months on lees
55
Which grapes generally speaking, are used to make crémant wines?
Those used to make local still white wines
56
What are the laws regarding permissible grapes in Alsace for crémant wines?
Aromatic grapes such as Muscat and Gewurztraminer cannot be used, where Chardonnay can
57
What is the next biggest centre of sparkling wine production in France after Champagne?
The Loire Valley
58
What are the three major appellations for making sparkling wine in Loire Valley?
Crémant de Loire
Saumur
Vouvray
59
From which varieties can sparkling Saumur be made?
A range of local varieties as well as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc
60
What are important ingredients in the best sparkling wines of Saumur?
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc
61
What second style of sparkling is made in the Loire Valley? Where and with what?
Sparkling rose in Saumur, with Cabernet Franc
62
What style of wine is made in highest volumes in Vouvray?
Sparkling wines
63
What is the vast majority of sparkling wine made from in Vouvray?
Solely from Chenin Blanc
64
What is the character of Chenin Blanc in sparkling wine? (acidity, flavor)
Naturally high acidity
Doesn't take on as much of a bread, biscuity character as Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, and the Autolytic character when present is more smoky and toasty
65
What method is used to make sparkling Saumur and Vouvray?
Traditional method
66
What is the ageing requirement for Saumur and Vouvray?
A minimum of nine months on lees
67
What makes Cava an unusual DO?
It covers a number of different, non-contiguous, geographic areas across Spain
68
Where does the vast majority of Cava come from?
The Catalan vineyards centred on the town of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia
69
Besides the vineyard of Catalunya, which other areas are notable centres of Cava production?
Navarra, Rioja and Valencia
70
How is Cava made? What are the ageing requirements?
Traditional method & minimum of nine months on the lees
71
Name traditional grape varieties used in Cava
Macabeo/Viura, Xarel-lo and Parellada for whites & Garnacha and Monastrell for rosés
72
Describe most Cavas (sweetness, acidity, flavor)
Dry
Medium acidity
Some character from yeast autolysis (though the character of the autolytic flavours can differ from the bread and toast of Champagne)
73
What has recently been added as permitted grape varieties for Cava? What do they add?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir - some have found that they add an extra level of fruit and acidity
74
What is the controversy surrounding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as permitted grape varieties in Cava?
Some producers believe it detracts from Cava's point of difference
75
How is most Cava released?
As non-vintage, ready to drink on release from the winery
76
What is a key point of flavour difference between Cava and Champagne? What is the result?
Cava often has a lower acidity than that of Champagne, giving Cava a more approachable and easy-drinking style
77
What is the role of lees-ageing with Cava?
There are a few producers who make premium Cavas that have undergone extensive lees-ageing
78
Where is the Asti DOCG?
In Piemonte, north-west Italy
79
What is Asti DOCG made from?
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
80
What method is used to make Asti DOCG?
The Asti Method
81
What is the main flavour of Asti DOCG?
A pronounced grapey character associated with the variety Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
82
Describe the flavours/profile of Asti DOCG (flavor, sweetness, alcohol)
Pronounced fruity aromas of peach and grape, overlaid with floral notes
Sweet
Low in alcohol (approx 7% abv)
Made without autolytic characters (which would detract from the fruitiness of Muscat)
83
What is the role of ageing for Muscat?
It does not benefit from ageing and should be drunk as young as possible
84
Where is Prosecco made?
```
In one of two delimited regions of north-east Italy
Prosecco DOC (a wide area of Veneto and Friuli)
Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG (higher quality)
```
85
Where must grapes be grown for Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG?
Between the two towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene on the steep limestone hills north-west of Venice
86
Which terms found on Prosecco wines are indications of wine from an exceptional vineyard site?
Cartizze and Rive
87
What is the name of the grape variety used for Prosecco? What is its formative name?
Glera, was previously known as 'Prosecco'
88
Why was Prosecco's name changed to Glera?
To protect the integrity of the appellation, so other regions or countries could not exploit the success of the name
89
How is Prosecco typically produced?
Using the tank method
90
What is the typical style of Prosecco? (Acidity, Sweetness, Flavors)
Medium acidity
Brut, Extra-Dry and Dry
Fresh aromas of green apple and melon
91
How do sugar levels of Prosecco's sweetness levels compare with those of Champagne and Cava?
Slightly higher levels of residual sugar
92
How does residual sugar usually come about in Prosecco?
As a result of interrupting fermentation by chilling and filtering
93
What is the role of ageing in Prosecco?
They are meant to be drunk young and do not benefit from any bottle ageing
94
What change in legislation was made in 2020 that allows a new type of wine to be made in Prosecco DOC?
Sparkling rose can now be produced by the DOC
95
What grape varietals are used for rose prosecco?
The wines are predominantly made from Glera blended with a small proportion of Pinot Noir (up to 15%).
96
Which country has the highest per-capita consumption of sparkling wine in the world?
Germany
97
What is the majority of consumed sparkling wine in Germany?
Sekt
98
Virtually all of Sekt is made using which method?
Tank
99
Where do the base wines for Sekt generally come from?
France, Italy or Spain
100
Where is Sekt turned into sparkling wine?
Germany
101
How may one identify a Sekt where grapes are grown in Germany as well as it being made sparkling in Germany?
It will be labelled 'Deutscher Sekt'
102
What is the best Deutscher Sekt made from?
Riesling
103
What does 'Deutscher Sekt bA' indicate?
Sekt wherein all the grapes come from one of Germany's quality regions (ex: Mosel), then it can bear this superior appellation on it's label
104
Describe rare premium Sekt from Germany
Grapes are grown in individual vineyards and it is vinified using the traditional method, although these Sekts are made in much smaller quantities
105
Describe sparkling wines from Australia's cool to moderate regions
List some such regions
* Capable of producing complex, elegant traditional method wines, usually from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
* Range of styles: non-vintage, vintage, rosé, Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs
* Cool to moderate regions such as Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hill and Tasmania
106
What kind of sparkling wines are typically produced in warm regions of Australia?
Give an example of such a region
* Inexpensive wines produced by tank method or carbonation
* Fruity in style and in a range of sweetness levels
* From many different varieties
* Warm region: Riverina
107
In which country have sparkling red wines had the most success?
Australia
108
What has happened to the sales of sparkling red wines over the last few years?
They have gradually declined
109
From which variety are the best sparkling reds of Australia typically made?
Shiraz
110
From which varieties have some Australian wineries produced excellent sparkling reds (other than Shiraz)?
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
111
Using which method are inexpensive sparkling reds made in Australia?
Carbonation or tank method
112
Using which method are better examples of sparkling red produced in Australia?
By transfer or the traditional method
113
Describe flavours of sparkling red wines in Australia (Body, Tannin, Flavor, Sweetness)
Full-bodied
Smooth tannins
Red berry fruit
Some residual sugar
114
What is the reputation for sparkling wine in New Zealand?
For high quality traditional method sparkling wines made from classic Champagne grape varieties
115
Why is New Zealand suitable for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir growth?
As a result of its relatively southern position in the southern hemisphere and maritime climate with cool sea breezes, means that it can ripen PN & Chard slowly enough to produce elegant sparkling wines
116
What styles of sparkling wine are produced in New Zealand?
A range, including vintage, non-vintage, rosé, Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs
117
Where in New Zealand are grapes for their sparkling wine grown?
In all of its wine regions
118
Which region of New Zealand produces the highest volumes of sparkling wine?
Marlborough
119
Describe sparkling wines from the warmer regions of New Zealand?
Richer style than those produced in the South Island and producers will often take advantage of this fact making cross regional blends.
120
Besides Champagne styles, what other style of sparkling wine is relatively common in New Zealand? Using which method and why?
Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc is also produced, usually by carbonation or the tank method to retain the intense aromas and flavors of this grape variety.
121
What does Méthode Cap Classique mean on sparkling wines in South Africa?
They have been made using the traditional method as 'Method Cap Classique' refers to this process
122
Where is fruit sourced from for traditional South African sparkling wine?
Throughout the Western Cape
123
From which varieties are South Africa's best sparkling wines made?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
124
Why is site selection so important in South Africa?
Due to its warm climate
125
Where are the best sites found for South Africa's sparkling wines?
On the country's hillside slopes with a south-eastern aspect or near the coast
126
What are the requirements for Cap Classique wines?
Must spend a minimum of 12 months on the lees
127
Many premium South African sparkling producers belong to the...
Cap Classique Producers Association
128
What is the purpose of the Cap Classique Producers Association?
To continually promote and enhance the quality of Cap Classique wines.
129
What is the domestic market for sparkling wines in South Africa?
For off-dry to sweet carbonated sparkling wines
130
Which region is responsible for the vast majority of sparkling wine production in the USA?
California
131
Where in California do the best sparkling wines come from?
Cooler locations such as Los Carneros AVA and Anderson Valley AVA
132
How and with what are California's best sparkling wines made?
Using the traditional method, generally with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
133
What is typical ageing for premium Californian sparkling?
Extended ageing on the lees.
134
Describe the flavours of California's best sparkling wines (flavors and acidity)
Concentrated complex flavours balanced by high acidity
135
What is the role of inexpensive, high-volume wine in California?
Large volumes are made using tank method or carbonation
136
Describe the flavours of California's inexpensive sparkling wines (sweetness, flavor, varietals used)
Medium sweet to sweet in style
Typically fruity
From a range of grape varieties grown in warmer, high-yielding regions such a Central Valley
