Double Bubble Trouble! Trivia Quiz

Answer: It must be made in the Champagne region of France

There are many kinds of sparkling wines. But for a sparkling wine to be labeled as champagne it must be made in the Champagne region in northeastern France. Sparkling wines made elsewhere can at best be classified as "methode champenoise" on the label, if they are made by traditional methods and techniques.

Answer: Pierre Perignon

"Dom" Pierre Perignon (1638-1715) is often credited with creating champagne. This French Benedictine monk, that lived at the Abbey of Hautvillers, made important contributions involving the production and quality maintenance in the sparkling white wine known as champagne. He did not actually invent it, as is so often insinuated in books and other forms of media.

Answer: Champagne goblet

"Coupe" is the proper term for the shallow, broad-rimmed goblet that may be used when drinking champagne. According to legend, the champagne coupe was modeled after the shape of Marie Antoinette's breast, using wax molds. Another popular champagne glass is known as a 'flute'.

A champagne flute, is a stemmed glass, with a long narrow bowl which is said to help hold the bubbles in the drink for a longer time.

Answer: The anointment of new French kings

Champagne became very popular throughout Europe when it became known that it was used in the anointing of a new French king. It has been associated with wealth, luxury and power for centuries. Champagne makers have worked hard to keep this reputation and to separate champagne from other sparkling wines that originate in other areas.

Answer: Concord

All of these grapes are wine grapes local to the Champagne region, except for the Concord grape. The Concord grape is a large dark purple grape used for making grape juice and grape jelly but never for Champagne. The other three grapes are the only kinds that can be used for making champagne and different vintners use different combinations of the three, along with different aging processes to make their own champagnes unique.

Answer: The opening of a champagne bottle using a sabre

Sabrage is the ceremonial opening of a champagne bottle using a sabre. The backside or dull side of the blade is slid along the bottle from the bottom towards the neck. The force of the blade hitting the lip of the champagne bottle breaks the neck of the bottle off of the rest of the glass.

The neck of the bottle complete with the cork still inside remain together after separating from the rest of the bottle. There is even a champagne sword made specifically for this act which is usually seen in ceremonial circumstances.

Answer: Turning the bottle of champagne every couple of days during fermentation

Riddling is an important step in the preparation of champagne. It involves placing new bottles of champagne upside down into racks where they are turned by hand or machine every couple of days. This goes on for about 2-3 months but times do vary among vintners. Riddling is designed to get any sediment in the bottle to sink to the cork and harden, making another smaller seal to keep the wonderful bubbles in the champagne.

Answer: Abraham

A Jeroboam also known as a Double Magnum is a bottle holding three litres of champagne. A Methuselah holds six litres and a Mordechai holds nine litres. The very largest bottle regularly sold is the Melchizedek which hold 30 litres. Special bottles are made for special occasions or special batches.

The sizes listed are standards size bottles that are used for many types of wine including champagne. In general, champagne bottles are made with thicker walls and a wider punt to aid with decanting the bubbly spirit.

They usually come in various colors to protect the valuable product inside.

Answer: False

This is completely false. In spite of its round shape, an olive will sink in champagne the same way it does in a vodka martini. What is interesting is what happens if you drop a raisin in a glass of champagne. It will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass, even if the glass is sitting on a level table and is not touched.

Answer: False

The skin color of wine grapes does not always indicate what color the wine made from them will be. Some pink or rose champagnes are made by leaving the skins of the dark skinned grapes to soak in the juice for a short while or by adding a small amount of Pinot noir red wine.

The color from the grape skin is what gives all wines their color. Champagne uses a process that usually minimizes the amount of time that the grape juice is in contact with the skin of the grape which accounts for its light color.