All wines called champagne must by law come from the Champagne wine producing region in the north of France, about 1 hour from Paris. This is where the world's most famous wine is produced.
Champagne is made with traditional methods dating back many years, and this process has a profound effect on the final wines composition that differentiates Champagne wines from other sparkling wines.
Traditional Champagne houses usually combine one white grape variety- chardonnay - and two red grape varieties - pinot noir and pinot meunier - to make the final Champagne's style that is recognized worldwide as the ultimate drink of success and celebration.
Champagne houses normally have a specific blend of these three grape varieties and how they should be combined to contribute to a harmonious blend in the final Champagne wine. They attempt to produce a Champagne that is consistent from vintage to vintage in terms of quality and characteristics.
In many cases the Champagne will be held for up to 5 years by the Champagne house for the wine to develop its true characteristics and once released it is normally consumed within two years of purchase.
Our Champagne and Sparkling wine recommendations:
