CHAMPAGNE & NATURAL SPARKLING WINES
It´s referenced as the first natural Sparkling to be produced by man. It emerged in the second half of the XVII Century, but the original version has a few thousand years of history.
Associated to this “Royal” drink, is the monk Benedict, Dom Pérignon, for his help in the invention of the 2nd fermentation in bottle. He worked as treasurer and head of the cellars of the Abbey of Hautvillers.
Champagne is divided into 5 classified areas, namely Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, Côte des Bar and Côte Sézanne. Each one of them associates with the three main grapes (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay).
All Sparkling produced outside the Champagne region has to use another name other than Champagne. Ex: Cremant for the rest of France, Prosecco in Italy, Cava in Spain, Sparkling in Portugal, etc.
“In victory, you deserve Champagne. In defeat you need it.”
(Napolean Bonaparte)