The Champagne Wine Region covers the historic French province Champagne best known for the sparkling white wine whose name comes from the region. The vineyards of Champagne, covering more than 90% of the present day Champagne-Ardenne region, were the first to receive an Appellation of Origin (A.O.C.) in 1908.http://www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk/default.aspx

Champagne was first inhabited by the Gauls and later became part of the Roman Empire. In 498, the baptism of King Clovis in Reims, an important Christian town in Champagne, symbolically brought the Church and State together. The monarchic French government with divine right was born. Reims also thereafter became the seat of the coronation of the kings of France.http://www.reims-tourism.com/reims-champagne/heritage-and-discovery/the-history-of-reims.aspx

Champagne was under the rule of the counts of Champagne between 950 and 1316. When the last Count of Champagne succeeded the French throne as Louis X of France, the territory became part of the Crown territories. http://www.champagne-tourisme.com/

The first vines were planted in Champagne during the Roman period. But the Champagne wine only began to develop in the Middle Ages due to the work of the winegrowing monks. Champagne as the wine known today appeared in the 17th century following the important contributions made by the Benedictine monk, Dom Pierre Perignon at the Abbey of Hautvillers. Champagne became the wine of coronations and then the wine of the French kings in the 18th century. Champagne houses blossomed in the Champagne region made Reims and Epernay important trade centers until the present day. http://www.champagne.fr/fr/routeschampagne.aspx

Being an ancient land, the Champagne Wine Region is full of historic monuments and cultural heritage. Major attractions include:

• Reimshttp://www.reims-tourism.com/reims-champagne/heritage-and-discovery.aspx
• Epernay http://www.ot-epernay.fr/spip.php?page=sommaire&lang=en
• Hautvillers http://www.tourisme-hautvillers.com/en/page_type.asp?rec=100
• Champagne Half-timbered Churches Trailhttp://www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk/patrimony/discovery-tours/half-timbered-churches-trail.aspx
• The Champagne Routeshttp://www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk/champagne/vineyards/the-champagne-route.aspx