The Current State of Champagne

Alice Feiring's focused beam of truth has locked on the "economic crisis" currently effecting champagne. I don't know about you but the next time I'm in NYC I'm getting a burger and a $60 bottle of Krug.

11. How many Premier Cru villages are there in Champagne?

Answer: 38

Avenay Val d'Or - Marne
Bergeres- Aube
Bezannes- Marne
Billy le Grand- Marne
Bisseuil- Marne
Chamery- Marne
Champillon- Marne
Chigny Les Roses- Marne
Chouilly- Marne
Coligny- Marne
Cuis- Marne
Cumieres- Marne
Dizy- Marne
Ecueil- Marne
Etrechy- Marne
Grauves- Marne
Hautvillers- Marne
Jouy les Reims- Marne
Les Mesneux- Marne
Ludes- Marne
Mareuil sur Ay- Marne
Montbre- Marne
Mutigny- Marne
Pargny les Reims- Marne
Pierry- Marne
Rilly La Montagne - Marne
Sacy- Marne
Taissy- Marne
Tauxieres- Marne
Tours sur Marne- Marne
Trepail- Marne
Trois Puits- Marne
Vaudemanges- Marne
Vertus- Marne
Villedommange- Marne
Villers Allerand- Marne
Villers aux Noeuds- Marne
Villers Marmery- Marne

10. How many Grand Cru villages are there in Champagne?

There are 17 Grand Cru vineyards in Champagne.

1. Ambonnay
2. Avize
3. Ay
4. Beaumont sur Vesle
   
5. Bouzy
6. Chouilly
7. Cramant
8. Le Mesnil sur Oger
9. Louvois
10. Mailly Champagne
11. Oger
12. Oiry
13. Puisieulx
14. Sillery
15. Tours sur Marne
16. Verzenay
17. Verzy
    

Random Trivia

Wine Trivia Facts

1. According to scientist Bill Lembeck there are approximately 49 million bubbles in a bottle of Champagne.
2. The word Alcohol is derived from the Arabic language (al kohl or alkuhl). Consider the fact that a large proportion of the Arabic population is forbidden from consuming alcohol for religious reasons.
3. The largest cork tree in the world is known as 'The Whistler Tree'. This tree is located in the Alentejo region of Portugal and averages over 1 ton of raw cork per harvest. Enough to cork 100,000 bottles of wine.
4. The average number of grapes it takes to produce a bottle of wine: 600.
   
5. Dom Perignon did not invent champagne, it had existed for several years. What he did invent was the mushroom shaped cork and wire cage that allowed the sparkling wine to be safely bottled. Previous attempts had all ended with popped corks.
   
6. In Fairbanks, Alaska, it's illegal to feed a moose any alcohol beverage
   
7. The first commercial U.S. winery, established in 1823, was located in Missouri.
   
8. During prohibition, an interesting product called the 'Grape Brick' was sold to thousands of wine-parched households across America. Attached to the 'brick' of dried and pressed winegrape concentrate was a packet of yeast, and the stern warning, "Do not add yeast or fermentation will result."
   
9. The corkscrew was invented in 1860
10. Most popular varietals in Napa Valley (in order of popularity)

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chardonnay
• Merlot
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Pinot Noir
• Zinfandel