French term for the press residue, but also for the spirit obtained from it by distilling marc. It is derived from "marcher", which means the "crushing" of a fruit in order to extract sweet components. The origin is added to the term. Most "Marc de Champagne" is produced in the Champagne region. As with champagne, only the Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay varieties are used. It is also used to flavour truffle chocolates (truffles) and in the coffee speciality Canard.
Indications of origin
Other brands include Marc d'Alsac, Marc d'Aquitaine, Marc de Beaujolauis, Marc de Bourgogne, Marc de Chardonnay, Marc de Franche-Comté, Marc de Lorraine, Marc des Côteaux de la Loire, Marc de Savoie, Marc du Bugey, Marc du Centre-Est and Marc du Jura. The names are protected by the appellation of origin and reserved for France and Luxembourg. However, the name "Marc" alone is not protected and can also be used in other countries.
Eau-de-vie de Marc
If the Marc is obtained from the residue of a single grape variety, it may be called Eau-de-vie de Marc (for example "Eau-de-vie de marc de Bourgogne"). It undergoes double distillation and then matures for two to five years in barrels of different types of wood, resulting in different aromas and colours ranging from straw yellow to amber. It is often drunk as a digestif.
Producers
The largest distillery in France is the Jean Goyard company, which buys all the pomace from the entire region and distils it in steam-heated vats known as calandre. Many champagne houses take over the distilled product and market the finished Marc under their own name. The liqueur wine Macvin du Jura is produced by adding Marc to grape must. In Champagne, however, the term "Marc" is also used to describe the quantity of 4,000 kg of grapes.
Designation in other countries
Pomace brandies in other countries are called Bagaceira (Portugal), Grappa (Italy), Orujo (Spain), Törkölypálinka (Hungary), Tresterbrand (German-speaking countries), Tsipouro or Tsikoudia (Greece) and Zivania (Cyprus).
Further information
For the production of alcoholic beverages, see Champagne (sparkling wines), Distillation (distillates), Spirits (types), Winemaking (wines and wine types) and Wine law (wine law issues).
