Ahh, Champagne! There’s just nothing else like it. It’s the drink ubiquitous with luxury and celebration. Whether you’re toasting to a special occasion or just in the mood to #TreatYoSelf – the answer is always: “Champagne!” Yet so much of Champagne – as a beverage and as a region – remains a mystery to even the most savvy of consumers. Even we as Sparkling Winos are constantly finding new elements to explore and new producers to seek out. Cue Liz Palmer’s “The Ultimate Guide to Champagne”… an invaluable resource! 😍
What do you mean “Champagne” isn’t a type of grape?
That’s right! Despite what some may think, Champagne is not a grape variety! In fact, the world’s most famous sparkling wine is made from a complex blend of various grape varieties, grown in certain vineyards within the Champagne region of northern France. So, which grapes go into Champagne and what are their roles in the blend (or “cuvée”)? Let us take you through in this quick 101, and hopefully the learning cuvée, errrrr curve, won’t be too high!