The vine grows with its roots plunged in a chalky subsoil. Champagne requires three varieties of vines : Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier (black as well) and Chardonnay (white).
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Pinot noir |
Pinot meunier |
Chardonnay |
In June, the vine flowers, then the grapes set. The grape gathering occurs by the end of September and the pressing just a few hours later. Four thousand kilos of grapes give 2550 litres of grape juice or must, to be decanted twelve hours long, as a first fermentation turning the grape juice into wine, what may last a few weeks. The wine is then clarified by successive rackings during winter and tasted. With spring starts the elaboration of the Champagne wines : the vintage preparation.
Once the vintage blended, ferments are added as well as a small quantity of sugar for a second fermentation. Then the wine is bottled, capped and laid on wooden boards in chalk cellars. A foaming results from the transformation of the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The gas stays confined, what will give the fine bubbles.
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