Champagne is the name of a region in the North of France. With a winemaking history of over 300 years and an annual production of 300.000.000 bottles, it is the world's largest producer and exporter of Methode Traditionnelle, also called there "Methode Champenoise".

The surface area falling under the appellation "Champagne" stretches over 34.000 hectares and is divided amongst almost 15.000 vine growers. The cost of the land averages over EUR 1.000.000 per hectare!

The growers either produce their wines themselves, either sell their grapes to cooperatives or to the other Champagne houses. In Champagne, there are nearly 4000 producers of Methode Champenoise.

This is to say that under the name “Champagne”, there is not a single product but many different styles and the quality is far from being homogeneous. Cheaply made Champagne can sometimes proved to be very disappointing, the retail price scarcely being the right judging criterion.

The CIVC (Comite Interprofessionnel des Vins de Champagne) is a very powerful association that controls all the aspects of the Champagne : grape growing, quality control and promotion and protection of the Champagne appellation.

Only 3 grapes varieties are permitted (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay); yields in both the vineyard and during pressing are limited, the pruning of vines, their height, spacing and density, harvest by hand and minimum ageing periods, are all controlled by the CIVC.

Champagne wines owe their inimitable character to a unique combination of climate (quite cold) and soil composition (chalky sub soils), otherwise referred to as "terroir".

Champagne is the best known wine internationally. Whatever the occasion, worldwide people have adopted the habit of celebrating with Champagne.

The "Grandes Marques" (Great Brands) are usually recognised for their product consistency and their mighty branding. Their flagship wines often have no equivalents, but their standard bottles are not always worth their (over)price, besides the satisfaction of a prestigious label.
The smaller producers, although maintaining a constant style, cannot guarantee the same consistency through the years but do most of the time offer much better quality and value for money.

To learn more visit : www.champagne.fr