Champagne

It's called the sacred wine! It's in the heart of the Champagne region that the kings of France are crowned, the ceremonies accompanied by grand banquets where Champagne wines flow freely. With their shimmering color and finesse, they have become THE celebratory wine that pays homage to the monarchs. It's called the sacred wine! It's in the heart of the Champagne region that the kings of France are crowned, the ceremonies accompanied by grand banquets where Champagne wines flow freely. With their shimmering color and finesse, they have become THE celebratory wine that pays homage to the monarchs. From the 12th century onwards, the reputation of Champagne wines has spread around the world and their prestige continues to grow. A symbol of excellence, it is drunk at major events. The production of a bottle of Champagne: Produced in the eponymous region, the Champagne appellation benefits from an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) with very precise specifications. Indeed, only three main grape varieties are permitted: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier. Numerous other factors also come into play, such as the production area, vine size, yield, alcohol content, and ripening. To produce this Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), the Champagne houses of the Marne Valley follow specific steps. During the harvest, the grapes must be picked by hand to avoid damaging the product. The chalk, clay, and limestone soils allow the vines to flourish; sunlight reflects off the vines, heat is absorbed, and the moisture necessary for root health is retained. Once the grapes are pressed, blending takes place: the grape varieties and cuvées are mixed to obtain the best combination. At this stage, Champagne is still a still wine, without the characteristic bubbles we know today. It is the addition of yeast that creates the bubbles: this stage is called "prise de mousse" (the secondary fermentation). Next comes the fermentation stage. The bottle of Champagne will rest lying down for 15 months for non-vintage Champagnes and 3 years for vintage Champagnes. The bottles are then tilted and gently swirled to direct the dead yeast cells towards the neck. The final step of the traditional Champagne method involves uncorking to remove the yeast and replacing the lost liquid with the dosage liqueur, which determines whether the Champagne is brut, demi-sec, etc. This method is attributed to Dom Pérignon, but it is simply a clever strategy by the brand, as there are records of sparkling Champagne wines before his arrival. How can you recognize a good Champagne? To properly taste Champagne, you must begin by appreciating its color, which should be pale yellow, gold, or straw. It's also important to observe the bubbles: their fineness and regularity, along with the stability of the mousse, are the hallmarks of a great Champagne. The bouquet should have a pleasant and delicate aroma. On the palate, you'll notice the Champagne's acidity, which can sometimes be excessive or insufficient. The body can be heavy, powerful, sufficient, or light. What are the different types of Champagne? Buying Champagne isn't complicated; you just need to know how to decipher the bottle labels. Let's start with the grape varieties used. Only three grapes can be used. Pinot Noir, made from a black grape, is distinguished by its peppery flavor and red fruit aromas. This grape variety gives the drink a particular structure and power. Meunier, also a black grape, has aromas quite similar to those of Pinot Noir. This grape variety is distinguished by the suppleness and lusciousness of the resulting Champagne. And Chardonnay, a white grape. Delicate, this champagne surprises with notes of citrus, hazelnuts, and white flowers. You may have already come across the term "blanc de blancs," which refers to a champagne made from a blend of white Chardonnay grapes. "Blanc de noirs," on the other hand, is produced from a blend of red grape varieties (Pinot Noir and sometimes Meunier). Finally, rosé champagne is obtained by blending white and red wines, or through the natural coloring of the grape skins. When and how should you enjoy this special cuvée? What should you pair with this champagne now that its production is no longer a secret? There are champagnes for every taste: blanc de blancs, brut, demi-sec, and rosé. But if you want to drink champagne the old-fashioned way, enjoy it with pink Reims biscuits, which were traditionally dipped in the glass to soften them! And above all, do as Lily Bollinger (the long-time director of the prestigious Bollinger house) did: drink Champagne only when you are happy and sad, when you are alone or with friends, when you are not in a hurry and when you are. Otherwise, never touch it...unless you are thirsty!