I am back with another wine quiz.  I know, you can hardly contain yourself.  I am going to keep with the Champagne theme for at least another week since, well, I can.  I also must point out that I think that champagne is the most versatile wine out there–you can have it with just about anything (and I have tried).

In Champagne (by the way, when talking about the region you capitalize, when talking about the beverage, you don’t–also the region is feminine [la Champagne] and the beverage is masculine [le champagne]–some more uselessful knowledge supplied by the drunken cyclist), somewhat similar to Burgundy, there is a system of Crus based on geographic location (which is dissimilar from Bordeaux where the classification is based on producer).  In Burgundy, the classification is by vineyard, but in Champagne it is by the town.  Back in 1919, this system was set up as a way to essentially control prices and ensure relative quality.  Towns whose grapes were rated at 100% quality were given ‘Grand Cru’ status, while those rated 90-99% were given a ‘Premier Cru’ designation.   Those below 90% received a ‘score’ but no accompanying fancy name (actually they were given ‘Cru’ as a status, but since everyone got it…).  In 1985, the number of Grand Cru villages increased, which leads us to today’s quiz.

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a big fan of pinot noir.  This carries over to champagne as well–I prefer champagnes that have a predominance of pinot noir (no blanc de blancs for this guy–Ok, that’s not true but it sounds like I am drawing a line in the sand, which makes me sound about as tough as you can get when writing about champagne).  No further babbling.

How many villages are classified as Grand Cru for pinot noir in Champagne?

Extra Credit:  How many villages are classified as Premier Cru?

One of my favorites!

Other Quizzes:

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