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Champagne

What do you know about champagne? Who said of champagne, “In victory you deserve it, in defeat you need it?” When do people in your country drink champagne?

CHAMPAGNE OR SPARKLING WINE?

Only wine which is produced in the Champagne region of France can be labelled “champagne”. In Spain, Australia, the United States, Germany, Italy and South Africa sparkling wines are produced in the same way as champagne, using the “méthode champenoise”, but they are not allowed to have the description “champagne” on their labels.

“LA CHAMPAGNE” AND “LE CHAMPAGNE”

“La Champagne” is a limited area 140 kilometres north-east of Paris. Vines have been grown in this region of France for more than 2,000 years, but until the 17th century still wine, not sparkling wine, was produced. “Le Champagne” was first made in the 17th century. The experiments of a Benedictine monk, Dom Pérignon, led to the development of the “méthode champenoise”.

TYPES OF GRAPE

Champagne is made from three types of grape, the black Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and the white Chardonnay grape. These are the only varieties which are permitted in Champagne. Typically, two thirds black grapes and one third white are used to make champagne. “Blanc de Blancs” is made from white grapes only.

CHAMPAGNE CELLARS

Under the vineyards of Champagne there are 200 kilometres of chalk cellars. They were cut by Romans and they have been used since Roman times. Their constant 10º C temperature is ideal for producing champagne. This underground chalk extends as far as Britain, where it rises above ground as the White Cliffs of Dover!