An Introductory To The Famed French Wine

In whichever part of the civilized world you may live, you are sure to have heard of the famed "Champagne". It is a word and thought synonymous with greatness, achievement and quality, and it is a wine that has been around for centuries.

Champagne has been used traditionally for glorious occasions such as celebrating a milestone, victory of some sort, and to toast the bride and groom on their marriage. It is often served with meal or desert. The special wine has been an integral part of sports celebrations since Moet et Chandon, the famed French winery, started offering their Champagne to the winners of Formula 1 Grand Prix events. The whispering noise made while opening a Champagne bottle is sometimes called "le soupir amoureux" or "loving whisper". A single edged sword, called a "sabre" has been used in many occasions to open Champagne bottles with great ceremony. This technique is called "sabrage". However the term is also used for simply breaking the head of the bottle.

Produced exclusively in the historic province in the northeast of France, the wine takes its name from the region it is produced?located about one hundred miles east of Paris. The exclusive quality of this wine has driven legislations to protect its identity and distinguish it from possible imitations. The wine "Champagne" named after the French region in northeast France meaning "open country". The word "Champagne", beginning with a capital "C" will be imprinted on the label of all Genuine French Champagne. The name "Champagne" is highly protected by law to help keep the quality and taste distinguished.

Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay are the three different grapes employed in the production of Champagne. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are classified as "black grapes", while the more well known Chardonnay is classified as "white grape". The wine is produced by inducing the in-bottle secondary fermentation of the wine to effect carbonation. In secondary fermentation, the wine is bottled with a combination of yeast and fresh sugar known as "liqueur de triage". As carbon dioxide is released as a byproduct of fermentation, the wine is made "bubbly".

The type of Champagne and its flavor is indicated on the label of the bottle. Some Champagne are a blend of different grapes?producing an exquisite taste. "Blanc de noirs" is a French term meaning "white of blacks". It is a white Champagne wine produced exclusively from black grapes.

Champagne is considered a "sparkling" wine that is hailed during glorious occasions or celebrations of achievements. Although considered a type of sparkling wine, Champagne is distinct from all other sparkling wine due to its exceptional quality and appraisal. Some manufactures produce a lesser quality of the wine by using cheaper quality grapes. Tasting the original Champagne once will impress itself on your mind and you will be able to distinguish it from lesser quality.