Champagne

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Champagne it is undoubtedly the most exquisite drink in the world. The harmony of flavors of champagne comes only if it originates from the French Champagne region (Champagne) and no other sparkling wine can be called real champagne. In essence, champagne belongs to the sparkling wines, which are divided into sparkling and sparkling. A distinctive feature of champagne wines is that they are obtained on the principle of secondary fermentation.

In fact champagne is a type of sparkling wine with a deep French root, and the use of the name is regulated by law (protected for Europe since the Treaty of Madrid (1891)), and only the sparkling drink of Champagne has the legal right to be called so. As a rule, only a few specific grape varieties are used to make this divine wine drink. In some cases they are combined, and in others they are not.

The Champagne region itself is the northernmost wine-growing region in France, stretching about 145 km northeast of Paris and occupying the basin of a former inland sea. The beauty of the fertile Champagne region covers 33,000 ha and preserves 3.4% of the vineyards in France.

Due to the limestone deposits and geological movements, the two plateaus Montagne de Reims and Côte des blancs were formed, where most of the settlements with the champagne names Grand Cru and Premier Cru are located. The best champagne cellars are traditionally around the cities of Reims and Epernay.

History of champagne

Until the Middle Ages in Evora, monks and church officials were mainly engaged in viticulture and winemaking. The Champagne region with its beauty and climatic features is deeply rooted in French history. St. Remy, Archbishop of Reims, baptized the first French King Clovis in Champagne in 496. Centuries later, from 898 to 1825, French kings were consecrated in Reims. Their extravagant and lavish ceremonies and celebrations were drenched in champagne.

In fact, the origin of champagne is still debated to this day. Until recently, the divine drink was considered a patent of the French monk Pierre Perignon, who later received the title "home". The story goes that Dom Perignon accidentally reached the stage of the second fermentation and thus received the champagne, named after him a little later. To this day, the Perignon House is a drink for "God's chosen people."

Gradually, he improved the technology, but his main problem was that he did not have suitable bottles in which to store the captivating drink. Around 1700, the islanders invented thick glass bottles, which are best suited for storing "restless" wine. The English love for the drink was great, and no less revered champagne was in the Russian court.

Champagne production

Champagne wines are made from only three varieties - Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Pinot Noir is a variety of Pinot Noir, which is characterized by an extremely fruity character and gives a specific aroma to the wine. Chardonnay is considered a grape that gives elegance and style to the wine, while Pinot Noir is synonymous with strong and definite taste. Champagne wines rarely come from a single vineyard or village.

Usually the largest wineries pay more for the best quality raw material used. Their wines are aged for more than 15 months, which is the mandatory minimum and it is typical to add their best reserve wines to the blend for Brut sans année. Longer and good aging of the wine is a prerequisite for its higher price.

What distinguishes champagne from other wines is the method of production - by secondary fermentation. It is characterized by two fermentations, the second being induced artificially. During its course, small bubbles of carbon dioxide are released, which remain in the bottle, which sharply increases the pressure in the bottles. It is no coincidence that the glass from which champagne bottles are made is thicker.

In fact, the bottles in which it is offered champagne, withstand three times higher pressure than in car tires. Every day, the champagne bottles are rotated at different angles to accumulate sediment, which is then carefully separated. There are 2 types of champagne depending on the degree of sweetness and dryness of the wine. Both types are unique not only in taste but also in price.

Real champagne holds record prices because of the sophisticated production technology that this divine drink goes through. The oldest champagne in the world was recently sold. The unique bottle is 200 years old. Found in the cargo of a shipwrecked ship, it was sold for a record price of 30,000 euros.

In Champagne there is a ladder of individual plots (crus), expressed in percentages, by which the vineyards are classified extremely strictly. 200 villages produce champagne, but only 17 of them have the privilege of 100% of their vineyards being classified as cru. Only they can be called Grand Cru. In 40 settlements the vineyards are classified from 99 to 90% - they are called Premier Cru, and the rest, classified from 89 to 80% are called Second Cru.

Types of champagne

Blanc de blancs - this fine white wine (translated White from white) is made solely from Chardonnay;

Black blanket - wine (translated as White from red), made only from red grapes - Pinot Noir and Pinot Noir;

Brutus - dry wine with a sugar content of less than 15 g / l;

Extra brut - sugar content from 0 to 6 g / l;

Sec - sugar content from 17 to 35 g / l, which here means semi-dry;

Demi sec - sugar content from 33 to 50 g / l;

Doux - Sweet

In Rule the classic champagne is white. The production technology dictates that white wine is also produced from red grapes (Pinot Noir), and in this one, immediately after squeezing, the pattern is separated from the marc. The coloring of the wine is obtained when the pattern with the marc stays. The longer this stay, the more intense the red wine.

A large part of champagnes are briefly stored as ordinary wines and most often they are obtained from wines with different years of production. When using a mature wine from one vintage, this is indicated on the label by the French term Millésimé. These wines with a specified harvest are made only in the best years (on average every 4 years). The main principle in Champagne is to blend grapes from different plots and vintages. The best-selling types of champagne are Brut sans année wines (dry without vintage), according to the style of each cellar.

Etiquette for champagne consumption

Every champagne it should be served chilled and it is good to leave it in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

Champagne is served at a temperature of 6-8 degrees in a bucket full of ice and water.

Even if it seems strange to you, the rule is to open the champagne carefully, at an angle (about 45 degrees) to keep it intact and retain its qualities.

Champagne is carefully poured into tall glass cups, which allows longer pleasure from consuming the elite drink.

In wide and scattered cups the bubbles disappear quite quickly, while in the high ones their tickling property lasts longer.

The label requires the glasses to be half full. Each open bottle of champagne it should be drunk after no more than 24 hours, because its taste is lost.

Benefits of champagne

Consumption of champagne it can give you pleasure and make you feel pretty good. This in itself is quite a benefit, but champagne wines have many other advantages. Research has shown that champagne helps the heart by reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The sophisticated drink lowers cholesterol and protects against stroke, improves heart function and blood circulation. It is believed that most antioxidants are contained in pink champagne.

There is even a diet that includes daily consumption of champagne up to 1-2 times a day. In general, alcoholic beverages are high in calories, but one glass of the drink contains only 91 calories. The diet should be balanced and in a healthy combination of different food groups. It is recommended for women not to consume more than 2 small glasses a day.