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,
Lalique Champagne Flutes,
Saint Louis 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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Nambe Dazzle Toasting Flute
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LSA Moya Blush Serving Set |
Michael Aram White Orchid Toasting Flutes, Set of 2 |
| With polished silver plate bases and a dazzling design, these Nambe
flutes offer a beautiful way to enjoy bubbly. Makes a wonderful engagement,
wedding or anniversary gift |
Characterized by distinctive weight and timeless design, this set
includes a set of six flutes and one bucket. Inspired by the blush tint
of rose champagne. Mouth-blown by artisans. Ideal for weddings and
birthdays. |
Handcrafted toasting flutes. Glass and nickel-plated metal. Set of two
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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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Lalique Louvre Flute Set |
Lalique Two 100 Points Champagne Flutes |
| The perfect gift! These extraordinary flutes have textured stems for
added charm. Clear crystal from Lalique. France |
A collaboration between Lalique and James Suckling, these handmade flutes
exemplify the established tradition and style of Lalique but embrace a modern
design and precise utility. These exquisite glasses display a unique style
through the frosted crystal ribs engraved on their stems. |
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Juliska Carine Champagne Bucket |
| The dappled glass of this champagne bucket creates a glamorous look
when you add frosty ice cubes and your favorite bottle of bubbly. |
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.
-
Caves: underground
cellar for aging.
-
Cuvée: blend.
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