Champagne: behind the bubbles
Champagne tours are perhaps the easiest way to begin to understand
the French joie de vivre. One could be quite happy eating at the Michelin-starred
restaurants, tasting Champagne and following the Tourist Route through vine covered
hills and charming wine-producing villages. Go to:
Baccarat Champagne Flutes,
Waterford Crystal Champagne Flutes,
Champagne Coolers,
Champagne Production,
Champagne Dictionary,
Champagne labels, Champagne
France, Serving and Tasting Champagne
The perfect toasting flutes and Champagne coolers for
that special celebration.
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Waterfall Flutes, Set of 4 |
Waterfall Flutes, Set of 4 |
Waterfall Flutes, Set of 4 |
| The glass of celebrations and
festivities, the elongated flute lets sparkling wines and bubbling
champagnes fizz with delight before a cheerful toast. |
The glass of celebrations and
festivities, the elongated flute lets sparkling wines and bubbling
champagnes fizz with delight before a cheerful toast. |
The glass of celebrations and
festivities, the elongated flute lets sparkling wines and bubbling
champagnes fizz with delight before a cheerful toast. |
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Etched Floral Coupes, Set of 2 |
Multicolor Champagne Flutes, Set of 4 |
Miranda Kerr Champagne Flutes, Set of 2 |
| Delicate flowers encircle this pair of etched glass coupes. |
Handcrafted champagne flutes. Made of glass. |
Elegant and chic, the glassware range features the model's signature
butterfly detail. From the sophisticated shape to the beautiful etching,
Miranda has specifically designed a stemware and giftware range to
reflect her feminine, classic and relaxed sense of style, ranging in
design which are clear in color, to lightly sprayed with pink to give a
cool blush finish. Set of two champagne flutes. Each holds 7.8 ounces.
Made of nonleaded crystal. |
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Optical Clear Champagne Flute |
Lalique 100 Points Crystal Champagne Flute |
Optical Gold Stem Champagne Glass |
| Elegant lines and a substantial weight give the sense of timeless
crystal in the Optical Clear Champagne Glass |
Clear crystal champagne flute from the 100 Points collection.
Approx. 9.37"H x 2.28"W. Frosted, ribbed stem. Holds 7.78 oz.
Handcrafted in France. |
The Optical Gold Stem Champagne
Glass is accented with a delicate gilded stem, and its elegant lines
bring sophistication and glamour to every table. The golden
embellishment is effortlessly beautiful. Made of glass. Holds 7 ounces.
Approx. 9.75"T. Hand wash only. Made in Italy. |
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Olympia Champagne Flute |
rosy glow toasting champagne flutes set |
Stripe Red Champagne Glass |
| Handcrafted glass champagne
flute. Holds 9 ounces. Hand wash. |
Set of two champagne flutes. Made of glass with rose-tone and
silvertone metal. 3.9" x 12.6" x 8.2".
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Dress up your daily glass of wine with the Stripe Red Champagne
Glass Intricately mouthblown in Veneto, Italy, this beautiful collection
brings a sophisticated, modern touch to your favorite barware assortment
Handcrafted of glass Approx. 6.5"T Dishwasher safe |
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Irish Lace Crystal Champagne Flutes, Set of 2 |
Lismore Essence Champagne Flutes, Set of 2 |
Jeff Leathan Icon Champagne Flutes, Set of 2 - Amethyst |
| Simultaneously unique and
timeless, these stunning flutes have the comforting weight you would
expect from Waterford crystal. Featuring a cut pattern reminiscent of a
bobbin used to sew Irish lace, this elegant crystal stemware tells a
story of the ultimate craftsmanship, fine detailing and heritage, and
will grace your home for generations. |
Waterford Lismore Essence is the
next generation of the classic Lismore pattern, retaining the brilliance
and clarity of Lismore, while incorporating a more slender, modern
profile. The Lismore Essence Champagne Flutes make a cool, contemporary
statement, perfect for serving sparkling wine, mimosas, spumante or
champagne cocktails. A lighter wall and thinner stem combine with the
intricate detailing of Lismore's signature diamond and wedge cuts to
produce stunning examples of modern drinkware that turn even an everyday
occasion into a celebration. Champagne flutes made of lead crystal. Set
of two. Each holds 8 ounces. Approx. 10.5"T each. |
Celebrate special moments with the
Icon Flute Set of two in rich amethyst, one of Jeff's favorite colors.
This stunning stemware uses innovative olive cuts to bring sophisticated
luxe living to the home. Perfectly presented in classic Waterford
packaging with a decorative Jeff Leatham sleeve, ideal for gifting. |
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Elegance Champagne Coupe, Set of 2 |
Waterford Elegance Champagne Classic Flute, Pair |
Elegance Optic Classic Champagne Flutes, Set of 2 |
| Handcrafted champagne coupe.
Crystal. Hand wash. Set of two; each measures approximately 4.5"Dia. x
6"T and holds 7.8 ounces. |
This striking assortment of Waterford
stemware is carefully crafted by hand with delicate bowls, striking V-shaped
plunges and crisp rims that create a flawlessly modern profile. |
Designed for the enjoyment of
champagne and sparkling wines, the Elegance Optic Classic Champagne
Flute features a narrow bowl for holding effervescence, allowing you to
savor every celebration. Waterford Elegance Optic is an excellent choice
for daily use, offering subtle decoration for a relaxed yet elegant
feel. Each crystal Elegance stem is uniquely contemporary in design,
with a clear, delicate bowl, deep V plunge, crisp rim, pulled stem and
flawlessly modern profile. Set of two fine crystal champagne flutes.
Each holds 10.1 ounces. 2.9"Dia. x 11"T. |
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Lismore Nouveau Champagne Flute |
Waterford Winter Wonders Midnight Frost Flute, Set of 2 |
Mara Crystal Champagne Flutes, Set of Two |
| Clear crystal. Handcrafted with
wedge diamond cuts and a pulled stem. Hand wash. Holds 7 ounces. |
From the Midnight Frost
Collection, featuring an intricate pattern reminiscent of winter's
frost. Part of Waterford's new 6-year series, Winter Wonders |
Waterford Ardan offers the beauty
of simplicity with the Mara pattern. Mara is the Irish meaning for sea
and is inspired by the wild Atlantic Ocean with long and short deep
vertical cuts. The Mara Flute Set is perfect for every day use. 3.2"Dia.
x 11"T. Each holds 10 fl. oz. Crystal. 2-piece set. |
Founded in 1764, Baccarat is renowned the world over for its magnificent
and innovative works of crystal. Baccarat has become a national symbol of France's
art de vivre, and the company's heritage of excellence in design is matched only
by its continuing efforts to cultivate creativity in the next generation of great
artists. The Baccarat collection is full of timeless masterpieces, from jewelry
to sculptures for the home, which translate beautifully in any language
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Anémone-Belle Époque Champagne Cooler |
Gold Orchid Champagne Bucket |
| The Anémone-Belle Epoque collection was created in 1902 by the
master silversmiths of Christofle for the famous Champagne House
Perrier-Jouët. It is inspired by the motif of anemones drawn by the
master Art Nouveau glassmaker, Emile Gallé. Champagne cooler is
fashioned from silver-plate and highlights the artistic talent of the
Maison's Master silversmiths. Approx. 9.3"T. Dishwasher safe |
Handcrafted champagne bucket. Nickel-plated metal, gold-tone metal,
and stainless steel. 11.75"W x 8"D x 8.5"T. |
Champagne is one of the most enjoyable travel destinations
in France. Troyes, the capital, has something for everyone.
A Medieval city, the cobblestone streets take you past 9 churches dating from the
12th-19th centuries featuring stained glass and Gothic art, and half-timbered buildings.
At the other extreme, The Museum of Modern Art with Fauvist paintings. The route
from Épernay to Reims takes you through the Regional Nature Park. Start in Épernay
with a visit to Champagne de Castellane. There is an interesting museum of the entire
process, plus 6 miles of caves. The view from the tower puts Épernay and the area
vineyards at your feet. Reims is not only an important Champagne producing
center but also the location of the Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, site for
the coronation of over 30 kings of France.
The law of July 22, 1927, determined
the limits of the Champagne appellation, 3 grape varieties (Pinot Noir, Pinot
Meunier and Chardonnay) and requirements for pruning, harvesting, pressing and fermentation.
Here are a few terms you may encounter:
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Brut Absolut, Brut,
Extra-Dry, Sec, Demi-Sec, Doux Designations from
dry to sweet:
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Blanc de Blanc from Chardonnay
is lighter in flavor, Blanc de Noirs from Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier
and are fuller bodied, Rosé gets its pink color and flavor from juice
contact with the skins.
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Cremant or Mousseux:
sparkling wines from outside Champagne
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Landing: time Champagne has
been in the country.
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Petillant: gentle effervescence.
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Caves: underground
cellar for aging.
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Cuvée: blend.
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Pressing: Several, gradual
pressings achieve different characteristics as soon as grapes are harvested.
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First fermentation: Juice
becomes wine.
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Blending: NV (nonvintage)
Champagnes result from the art of combining grape varieties and years. Vintage
Champagnes (all from one harvest) are only made in the best years
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The wine is then cold stabilized,
filtered and bottled. Liqueur de tirage/Dosage (wine sweetened
with yeast) is added.
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Second Fermentation: sugars
produce tiny bubbles. Remuage: "riddling"--bottles are held at
a sharp angle and periodically shaken. Sediment settles to the cork.
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Dégorgement: removes
sediment while keeping the wine in the bottle.
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Dosing: Liqueur d'expédition
(sugar and Champagne) added at time of disgorging to increase sweetness until
the desired type of wine is achieved. Wine is then corked.
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Serve cool. Place in bucket
with water and ice for 15 to 20 minutes (the younger, the cooler).
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To open, loosen the wire,
hold the cork, incline the bottle, twist holding by the base.
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Champagne
flutes gather the flavors and allow the bubbles to rise smoothly.
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Enjoy the color and dancing
bubbles, the "necklace of pearls" at the surface.
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Breathe the bouquet
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Taste it. Roll it in your
mouth to enjoy all the sensations.
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Champagne enhances almost any
food. Try mild cheeses, oysters, caviar and foie gras
The law
of July 22, 1927, determined the limits of the Champagne appellation, 3 grape
varieties (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay) and requirements for pruning,
harvesting, pressing and fermentation. Here are a few terms you may encounter:
-
Brut Absolut, Brut,
Extra-Dry, Sec, Demi-Sec, Doux Designations from
dry to sweet:
-
Blanc de Blanc from Chardonnay
is lighter in flavor, Blanc de Noirs from Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier
and are fuller bodied, Rosé gets its pink color and flavor from juice
contact with the skins.
-
Cremant or Mousseux:
sparkling wines from outside Champagne
-
Landing: time Champagne has
been in the country.
-
Petillant: gentle effervescence.
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Caves: underground
cellar for aging.
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Cuvée: blend.
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