Champagne, also known as sparkling wine, has its origins in the champagne region of France but has become a favorite around the world.

What distinguishes a sparkling wine?

Unlike most wines, champagne goes through a second fermentation that creates the bubbles. The two grapes from which champagne is usually made are chardonnay (white grape) and pinot noir (dark grape). White champagnes are made from chardonnay, while rose champagnes are made from a blend of the two or entirely pinot noir.

One of the greatest qualities of champagne is its versatility. A great champagne goes with just about anything, but when served as an aperitif, sparkling wines should be the extra-dry or brute style, depending on the hors d'oeuvres offered, the crowd mix and the first course to be served.

Did you know?

Champagne's history goes back 300 years, when it was called "leaping light in a glass." Dom Perignon, a Benedictine monk who was the chief winemaker of an abbey located in the historic Champagne region of France, perfected the technique for making sparkling wine.

In 1743, Claude Moet purchased the abbey and turned it into a winery of great renown. His most celebrated champagne was named after the monk who created it.

There was an early champagne connection between France and America, when in 1787 Moet sent 100 bottles of sparkling wine to the New World. It would be another 200 years before the French would be involved in the building of a champagne winery in the heart of the Napa Valley-Domaine Chandon.

How to Uncork Champagne

Champagne corks are secured with wires (figure A) because of the carbonation involved in processing champagne. A cork alone can't contain the pressure, so when opening a bottle of wine, first twist off the wire, then hold the cork and twist the bottle slowly. Never twist the cork itself, only the bottle.

Pouring Champagne Tip

Lift a tall fluted glass and the champagne bottle and tilt both while pouring champagne down the side slowly (figure B). This prevents the bubbles from creating a thick foam.