It is Wednesday again and it is time for another installment of Wine Trivia Wednesday. Before we get to this week’s quiz, we need to get to the answers from last week. The last few weeks, the focus has been on Champagne. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, this summer I will be heading to the region to lead a bike trip as a Tour Guide with Blue Marble Travel (be sure to go check them out, it is a fun company). I am very excited about the trip–even excited to drink Belgian beers.
- Who was the first king of France and what is his connection to Champagne? The first Christian king of France was Clovis (whose name eventually mutated into Louis) and he was baptized and crowned in the Saint-Remi basilica in Reims, the capital of Champagne. Nearly every king after Clovis was also crowned in Reims.
- Champagne is one of the few wine regions in the world where, for the production of rosé wines, this is allowed. Champagne is one of the few regions in the world were one is allowed to make a rosé wine by the blending of red and white wines.
- Champagnes are classified by the amount of sugar that is added back into the wine during the “dosage” step of the sparkling wine process. [Basically, once the dead yeast cells are removed, a bit of wine is added back into the bottle to both bring the level of the liquid back up as well as to introduce a bit more sugar if desired]. Put the following in order of sweetness from least to most sweet:
- brut
- brut nature
- brut sauvage
- demi-sec
- doux
- extra-brut
- extra-sec
- sec
The correct order from driest to sweetest: Brut Sauvage/Brut Nature, Extra-Brut, Brut, Extra-Sec, Sec, Demi-Sec, Doux
That means there was exactly one winner from last week: the Armchairsomelier who went a perfect 3/3! Honorable mention goes to Talk-a-Vino who put forth a valiant effort and some sort of prize goes to aFrankAngle for taking the time to respond to let us know that he was not going to respond.
On to this week’s quiz:
I figure we stay in the realm of Champagne since, well, it is about the only thing I know.
- What do you call the wire contraption that holds the cork on a bottle of Champagne?
- What is the French term for the little metal cap that forms part of the wire contraption?
- What is the “magic number” associated with removing the wire contraption?
Have fun with the quiz–answers next week!
the drunken cyclist 
It’s not often I’m perfect . . . I’ll take it! ;o) Salud!
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I find that hard to believe!
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1. Cage
2. Le Cap
3. 7
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Solid answers!
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My answer to number 2 is particularly commendable…
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On to this week . . .
1. The wire cage thingy is called a Muselet.
2. Plaque de Muselet (and a person who collects the Plaque de Muselet is called Placomusophilie, which is a fantastic word). I wonder if I need a new collection? ;o)
3. The Magic Number = 6
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And an added unsolicited response! You rock!
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1. Muselet
2. Plaque de Muselet
3. Not really sure what you mean…
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Very strong up until #3!
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1) Muselet
2) Le Cap
3) 6
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I am not sure that second word is French….
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1- Muselet, 2 – Cap, 3 – 6… (Google-free as always)
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But Google is your friend!
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Carriage? Not sure, 6
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Oh, should have read above before attempting an answer 😉
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I might have to check the rules with the foodandwinehedonist to see if that would constitute cheating….
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😉
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I can always count on learning here!
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And I always count on reflecting on your site!
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We (husband and I) have been talking for some time about planning a cycling foodie/wine trip in France, so I am very interested in the Blue Marble travel website. It probably won’t happen for another couple of years, but I can start reading up and planning/dreaming…
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The absolute best way to see France is by bike and Blue Marble is great. Relatively affordable with a focus on the food and culture. Let me know if you have any questions!
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