Champagne

Champagne has a lot going for it.

Traditionally, Champagne has been present for celebrations and milestones, such as marriages (and divorces one supposes). As well, Champagne can be considered a very flexible beverage, able to be served with a meal or with dessert, or just enjoyed for its own sake without food.

A truly refreshing, exotic and highly sought after drink is Champagne, used for a multitude of reasons with perhaps the most optimistic being that of raising glasses to the future, of something or someone. ABC of WIne champagne

Champagne comes from the vineyards of the Champagne region in northern France.

The wine makers are very protective of this name and are the only ones that are authorized to use it.

When you buy a bottle of genuine Champagne, the word Champagne will be on the bottle, spelt with a capital C.

All other so called champagnes (lower case c) are merely sparkling wines.

Champagne is derived from three different types of grape – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. Noir and Meunier are types of black grapes, while the better known Chardonnay is a type of white grape. The bottle label will show the type of Champagne you are buying, as the flavors vary depending on dryness (sec), fruitiness (brut) and color (rose).

One of the unique characteristics of Champagne is the plethora of bubbles that spew forth when a bottle has been uncorked. These bubbles are the result of tiny drops of liquid that are disturbed by the carbonic acid gas released upon opening. This phenomenon is a natural reaction of the double fermentation process that can only be found with a bottle of Champagne and which takes years to achieve.

When you next have a celebration and have yet to experience the joy brought by Champagne, try a bottle (or two). And if you already know the delights of Champagne, you will not need a reminder to get some.

You can visit the Champagne Store at Amazon to buy quality Champagne online at very reasonable prices. Even though Champagne may cost a bit more than ordinary sparkling wine, once you have popped the cork you will know why!