Champagne - The Wine Tasting Coach
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Champagne - The Wine Tasting Coach Champagne: The King of Wines There is no wine that so clearly brings to grand affairs, elegant marriages and bon voyages, and the life of the upper crust as Champagne. Although the name Champagne name is a designation reserved for those grapes grown and produced in the Champagne region of France. sparkling wines made in California and elsewhere often use the Champagne name. In fact, there has been recent legislation to prohibit its use. Correctly labeled, wines produced in the Methode Champenoise outside of the region should be labeled only with the name of the specific wine style, and possibly the moniker "Sparkling Wine." In France, the chalky soils and chilly climate of the cities of Reims and Epernay provide ideal growing conditions for the three main French Champagne grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The richness of sparkling wines owes a lot to cold climate growing. The grapes ripen very slowly so the grapes have time to pick up important favoring components. However, when the grapes are harvested, they are rarely ripe enough to make even table wine without the addition of inordinate amounts of sugar. Sparkling wines begin as a wine low in alcohol, and a second bottle fermentation is induced to raise the alcohol and add bubbles. The bubbles a natural phenomenon created by secondary fermentation in the bottle, are the result of carbon dioxide escaping from the wine. California sparkling wines often rival the fine French Champagnes. The Carneros region, a unique strip of land nested along the border of Sonoma and Napa Counties is considered the center of outstanding New World sparkling wines. For this reason, many of the world's finest Cahmpagne producers (Chandon, Mumm, Piper, and Tattinger) have planted grapes and opened grand wineries in this region. Sparkling wines are produced throughout the world, some good, some great. But nearly every wine-producing country, state, and region now produces some form or version of sparkling wine! Introduced by Dom Pérignon, a Benedictine monk in the late 1600's, blending wines (cuvée, or blend) is the chief determinant of the difference in non-vintage sparkling wines. The blending of the still wines before the second fermentation called the assemblage and the wine and sugar that is added after the second fermentation and aging called the dosage. These are the two most important steps in the determination of the style and quality of the wine. The sugar content of the dosage added after the second fermentation will determine the wine's style and relative sweetness. Many sparkling wines are labeled by their sugar content. Brut: This is the most popular style of sparkling wine. The best blends are always reserved for the brut and are the mainstay of the business. It has less than 1.5% residual sugar and is very dry. Extra Dry, Extra Sec: Sweetened with 1.2 to 2% residual sugar per liter, it is dry. It goes well with desserts and wedding cakes. Sec: Although it means "dry" in French, it means "moderately dry" or "slightly sweet" as it pertains to champagne. It has 1.7 to 3.5% residual sugar per liter. Demi-Sec: This style is distinctly sweet or medium sweet and is rarely seen in the United States. It contains between 3.3 to 5% residual sugar per liter. Doux: This is the sweetest style of champagne. It is very sweet and is more of a dessert-style wine. It has a minimum of 5% residual sugar per liter. Also, sparkling wines can be identified by the assemblage, of blend of grapes. Blanc de blancs, or "white of whites" is made primarily of Chardonnay. It is traditionally elegantly creamy and soft, with hints of ripe apple, toast, biscuits and butter. Blanc de noirs, (white from black), is less common and made entirely with Pinot Noir. It is fuller and richer than Blanc de blancs, with a decidedly raspberry nose and finish. Champagne and Sparkling Wines can be subdued and modest, or grandly elegant. Prices vary as greatly as the quality of wines available. There is no doubt, though, whatever language you speak, that a bottle of bubbly means "celebration!" Wine tasting From Pink Fridge - Xmas gift Ideas |
