Free Flashcards DipWSET D4: Sparkling – 12/England & Wales

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[h] DipWSET D4 SET 12 England & Wales

[i] DipWSET D4 – Sparkling WInes Flashcards

SET 12 England & Wales

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[q] Where are the majority of England and Wales pantings?

[a] Southern England (85%)

[q] When did sparkling wine production become prevalent in England and Wales?

[a]

Plantings specifically for sparkling were planted in the 1980s, and after positive reviews, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier now account for 70% of all plantings in England & Wales

[q] Why is the geographic location well suited for TM sparkling wine?

[a] Very northerly latitude – all above 50 degrees – mean the daylight hours are long and the nights are very cool

[q] What have been the positive outcomes of climate change in England and Wales?

What have been the negative outcomes?

[a] Pos – Fruit has been able to be ripened in more years than was possible which has raised quality

Neg – More extreme weather events like excessive rain. And risk of spring frost increasing due to early budding varieties being planted with warmer springs bringing budding forward even more

[q] What are the typical characteristics of a sparkling from England/Wales?

[a] High acid

Medium alc

Light-med body

Apple/lemon/autolytic

Distinctive notes – very high acid and just ripe fruit character.

Very good to outstanding quality and premium to super premium prices

[q] What do the cool growing temperatures mean for wine growing in these regions?

[a]

Slow ripening, slow sugar accumulation, acid preservation and medium intensity fruit characters

[q] What factors needs to be considered for site selection? (4)

[a] South facing slopes for max sun exposure

Shelter from wind and rain

Good drainage in the wet climate (natural or built)

Altitude below 125m (where it’s warmer)

[q] What is the biggest threat to yields?

How are must this threat be managed?

[a] Prolonged rain, particularly in the growing season affecting flowering and fruit set. Eg 2012

Timely sprays, and balancing the financial risk of poorer yields on certain years 

[q] What is the climate like in the main growing region in England and Wales?

[a] Cool maritime climate

Average growing season temperature of 14 (up from 13 in the middle of last century)

[q] What is the maximum yield?

What are average grape yields?

What knock on effect does this have?

[a] 80hL/ha

Varied – overall 24hL/ha, but the best vineyards can double this.

Unreliable/low yields have resulted in premium/super-premium pricing

[q] What is the soil profile like in the region?

[a] Varied – lots of clay in Kent, some chalk in Sussex and Hampshire. Chalk good for quality, but tends to be in less sheltered, risky areas. Clay tricky for water logging, and can be overly fertile

[q] What training and trellising options are used?

What techniques are utilised to combat the cool climate?

[a] Typically Guyot (single or double) with VSP

Low training to retain heat, thin canopy to maximise sunlight and reduce disease pressure

[q] Vintage or Non-vintage?

[a] Predominantly vintage. Which is interesting given the high variability of yields each year – producers are so young they are only now being able to build up enough reserve wines for this to be viable

[q] Apart from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier, what are the other three varieties allowed for PDO English sparkling wine?

[a] Pinot Gris

Pinot Blanc

Pinot Noir Precoce (mutation of PN that ripens earlier)

[q] What are the most popular decisions for the following winemaking choices?

Lees ageing

Oak maturation

MLF

[a] Varied but must be at least 9 months in keeping with EU regulations

Majority none

Very common, as it’s so cool here, but some are able to not

[q] How much English sparkling is exported?

[a] 8%

[q] What is vine density like here?

[a] Medium – 4000-5000 vines per hectare

[q] Where are the majority of England and Wales plantings?

[a] Southern England (85%)

[q] How is the market developing?

[a] Growing rapidly – plantings are increasing. There has been significant investment from some Champagne houses including Taittinger

[q] What varieties are used apart from the Champagne varieties?

[a] A few German crossings and hybrids that were the grapes originally planted in the regions before the 1980s

[q] When did sparkling wine production become prevalent in England and Wales?

[a] Plantings specifically for sparkling were planted in the 1980s, and after positive reviews, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier now account for 70% of all plantings in England & Wales

[q] Why is the geographic location well suited for TM sparkling wine?

[a] Very northerly latitude – all above 50 degrees – mean the daylight hours are long and the nights are very cool

[q] What are the typical characteristics of a sparkling from England/Wales?

[a] High acid

Medium alc

Light-med body

Apple/lemon/autolytic

Distinctive notes – very high acid and just ripe fruit character.

Very good to outstanding quality and premium to super premium prices

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