Hello Grapevine! Today I am writing about one of my very favorite wine regions: Champagne. As many of you may know wine should only be called Champagne if it hails from the Champagne region of France. The area in question is in the Northern end of France and the region is unique in quite a few ways. First off is the climate. In champagne's case it is cool to cold enough that the grapes struggle to get fully ripe and spring frost is a very real danger. The end result is a strong acidity to the wines that gives them some of their unique ageability. Next the soil, made of limestone and ancient chalk beds, helps add a minerally,chalky edge. Finally in Champagne a "House Style" is of critical importance. The big Champagne houses e.g.

Moet de Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Bollinger, Tattinger, Louis Roederer, Perrier Jouet, and Mumms to name a few are of different minds when crafting their wines. Most of the wine from Champagne is made from blending several vintages of wines to reach what the blender feels reflects the style of the house. For example Perrier Jouet is known for a light, elegant style and Bollinger is known for a big, rich ,biscuity style. Both can be very good but most folks would find the would prefer one to the other.

The main grapes in Champagne are Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. The blending of several vintages and the three grape varietals helps insure the overall standard of quality is very high. Champagne uses a few words and phrases that can help guide you in your purchasing. In general American consumers want a Brut Champagne. This indicates a pretty dry wine.

There are sweet to off dry Champagnes made but I know very few who will have more than a sip as a novelty. A label might also say Blanc de Blanc or Blanc de Noir. This translates as white from white or white from black. Of the three grapes used only chardonnay is actually a white grape. The Blanc de Blanc will tend to be a lighther wine than a Blanc de Noir. A Champagne labeled Rose will sport a salmon-pink hue and again be a bit fuller in body.

Roses are typically expensive compared with their white cousins. If a Champagne bottle actually has a single year printed on the label it is a vintage Champagne. These also carry a higher price tag than the blended "non vintage or multi vintage" wines.

Champagne is at once the most famous wine in the world and, after German Riesling , the most misunderstood. Most think of champagne as that wine you have a sip of at a wedding or New Years. In fact Champagne is arguably the most versatile wine on Earth. The wide range of styles make it versatile. The sparkling effervessence makes it refreshing and celansing for the palate. There are few foods one could not find a Champagne match.

Traditionally Champagne is sublime with oysters, bleu cheese, caviar, and eggs. Some newer but equally spectacular matches are sushi, Thai cuisine, and popcorn. Try Champagne with foods and it will really suprise you.

Unfortunately champagne is also expensive. one will have to spend $22-40 to start off with. It is very easy to spend much, much more. However for around $30-35 you can have a very good example and again the standard is pretty high. Making friends with your wine merchant is again very helpful with Champagne as they can help explain the various house styles. Pop a champagne cork soon; you don't need an occasion, it creates it's own.