Guide Note

Champagne is a sparkling white wine produced in the Champagne region of France by a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes. The designation Champagne is restricted to wines from this region; although other sparkling wines are sometimes referred to as Champagne, they are technically not.

Fast Facts

1. The smaller the bubble, the more intense the taste
2. The Champagne region is 70 miles northeast of Paris, France
3. Price can range from $10 to $2000 per bottle
4. Varieties: Brut, Demi-Sec, Doux
5. These varieties depend on sugar concentration

Monks and nobility have enjoyed wine in the Champagne region of France for hundreds of years. It was in the late 17th century when the region first began producing sparkling wine by inducing a secondary fermentation.

The monk Dom Perignon advanced the already established sparkling wine process by adding a wire-collared cork to seal in the wine without bursting under the pressure of fermentation.

Champagne is typically associated with parties and celebrations, and the process of popping open a bottle is considered an integral part of the process of consuming champagne. Though the bubbles in Champagne were originally thought of as superfluous, they have become a standard feature of the wine, so much so that bottles can spontaneously burst under the pressure if not fermented or stored properly.

Champagne is typically served in a flute, a tall narrow glass, ideal for watching the extended trip of the bubbles.