In today’s global society, it’s a super valuable skill to be multilingual or speak more than one language, right? Well I, my bubbly lovers, am here to help you do just that…in my own special way, of course. So are you ready to learn another language? Good: it’s time to learn “Champagnese!”
So you may be asking yourself “What in the world is ‘Champagnese’?” and “Why in the world do I need to learn how to speak it?” Well “Learn to Speak ‘Champagnese’!” is a new series reboot of a former, fun blog series that I began all the way back in 2015 originally entitled “Wine Wednesday Wordologie” (I know, NOT the catchiest nor most charming title, haha) that’s designed to guide you in learning more of the (love!) language and special vocabulary surrounding champagne.
Through alphabetical vocab lessons comprised of descriptive terms and definitions pertaining to champagne. you will gain some knowledge that’ll hopefully help you fully experience more of the champagne you love. Learn to Speak “Champagnese” is designed to:
- help you better understand champagne label info and glean clues on what’s inside the bottle
- learn about how champagne is made as well and how that relates to your sipping experience
- elevate/heighten your overall champagne enjoyment
Listen, the more exposure you have to a subject, the more confident you are about it, right? I want bubbly lovers to be more comfortable with, and confident about, drinking champagne anytime, anyplace, and anywhere.
Are you ready? Then let’s GO!
“A” is for “Assemblage!”
/ah-sah~blahzh/
“Assemblage is the blending of various grape varieties AD/NOR non-vintage base wines to create the flavor profile that becomes the winemaker’s unique cuvee for a champagne.”
In general, a winemaker has the ability to use any of the 7 legally sanctioned grapes varieties, and can chose to use grapes from various different crus (villages) and sub-regions all across the Champagne region as well. Because soil types/characteristics can vary from village to village, the taste of the grapes grown in those different villages can all be distinct from one another as well–even if the it’s the same grape variety.
For example, Côte des Blancs is renown as a sub-region for possessing the “finest” expression of Chardonnay with a distinct flavor profile, but high quality Chardonnay with their own unique flavors are also grown in other areas in the Champagne region as well. This makes assemblage a science and an art, as winemakers must make decisions about which grapes to use, where those grapes will come from, and what percentage amounts they will be used in.
In short, assemblage is the place in the champagne making process where the winemaker’s expertise, skill, and passion really shine, with the result often defining the Champagne Maison’s “house style.” And because it’s a blend, that means that Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs inherently, by definition, cannot be assemblage, since each of those are made from a singular grape variety, respectively.
Although the definition mentions the option of using non-vintage base wines, there are vintage assemblage champagnes out there–they just don’t use reserve base wines and instead use grapes/wine only from that vintage year.
As a side note, there was a little distinction I had to make for myself for my own understanding that I wanted to share with you: I used to use assemblage and cuvée interchangeably, however I now see assemblage as a verb, that is, the act of blending, and “cuvee” as a noun, which is the product that results from the act of assemblage.
So is it hard to find an assemblage champagne? Definitely not, as almost every producer has one that’s often represented by their non-vintage Brut.
Looking for a few exceptional, #BubbleistaApproved, easy to identify (that have assemblage on the label) options? Here are some of my faves to try:
Champagne Bruno Paillard 2012
Jeeper Grand Assemblage Brut; 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, $90
Champagne L’Assemblage by Pertois-Moriset; 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay from the vineyards located in Côte de Sezanne