The wine from this northernmost French wine region is probably the most imitated wine in the world, (often imitated, but never surpassed) Champagne as we know it was almost invented by chance. The monk Dom Pérignon of the Abbaye de Hautvilles monastery, or rather it is he who is most often credited with the invention. Maybe he was just a very skilled cellar master, could taste and mix, found out that the cork must be special and tied firmly.
In 1668, Dom Pérignon came to the monastery and devoted himself to the work of developing and making the local wine drinkable. (In the past it was rather boring) Later, many have learned from him and developed his methods, so that today we can enjoy some of the best that grapes can give. Dom Pérignon is quoted for the expression: "I drink stars"
Three grape varieties are used, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Chardonnay. The fields are planted with the different varieties according to the nature of the soil. For example, it is almost exclusively the green Pinot Chardonnay in the southern calcareous district, Côte des Blancs. The other two areas are called Valée de la Marne and Montagne de Reims.
Champagne is available in different degrees of dryness: Brut is completely dry, Sec is semi-dry, demi-Sec is semi-sweet and finally doux which is very sweet. In addition, different Champagne houses have other "own designations", for example Ultra Brut or Brut Sélection, etc
Vintage champagne – Vintage, is only made in the best years when the Champagne house finds the harvested grapes of particularly good quality.
Champagne is not just for New Year's Eve at midnight. It can be enjoyed on any occasion, you just have to find the degree of dryness that suits the chosen menu or welcome. Do not let the plug "pop" with a bang, the correct way to list the plug is with a "little snap".