I) Delve into the fascinating world of Champagne
Champagne if it's not from Champagne, it's NOT Champagne. Champagne is part of the sparkling wine category. Sparkling wine means a wine under pressure. They are characterized by the production of foam upon tearing and the bubbles are carbon dioxide.
Champagne is a 100% French product. The wine region it comes from is located in France, some 90 miles east of Paris. This is the only place in the world that it is made.
The production zone of the Champagne appellation d'origine contrôlée, whose perimeter is defined by legislation enacted in 1927, covers some 34,300 hectares and encompasses 319 villages, also called "crus".
UNESCO has honoured by recognising the Champagne Hillsides, Houses & Cellars as a World Heritage Site.
II) The terroir
The word "terroir" comes from the Latin "territorium", meaning territory.
Wine, for example, comes from a terroir. It derives part of its characteristics (minerality, aromas, etc.) from the soil, climate and topography of its territory. The Champagne terroir is unique for many reasons. Because of its geographical location, distinctive, rugged climate, the characteristics of its soil and its hillside vineyards, the Champagne terroir is the only one of its kind in the world.
A unique AOC designation
4 wine-growing regions
319 crus across 5 départements
34 200 ha across 280,000 plots
The main grapes in Champagne: Pinot noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot blanch and Chardonnay.
The grapes in Sparkling wines: Pinot Gris, Arbane, Petit Meslier, Riesling.
III) How Champagne is made
Arrival at the pressing centre - Settling - Fermentation - Blending - Bottling and second fermentation - Maturation on lees - Riddling - Disgorgement - Dosage - Corking, shaking and final
IV) Grades of Champagne
Grades: Champagne is classified based on its quality and aging process. The main categories are nonvintage (NV), vintage, and prestige cuvée.
Vintage champagnes are made from grapes harvested in a single exceptional year.