French Champagne

French Champagne is highly revered and is often associated with celebration and luxury. What is the history of this fine wine and how can you make the best choice for your next glass of bubbly.

History of French Champagne

Sparkling wine was not always considered desirable. In fact, the Benedictine monks of the Champagne wine making region in France initially considered bubbles in the wine an undesirable feature. The famous Dom Perignon could not eliminate the bubbles, but he did blend the wines to make them more favorable; he also used stronger bottles and sealed them with cork since the sparkling wines were prone to exploding. French Champagne was born.

In the mid 1700s, the royal government of France dictated the size, weight and shape of Champagne bottles and corks. They also mandated that the cork be securely tied onto the bottle.

Until the early 1800s, Champagne making was still tricky and unpredictable. However, as specialist Champagne producers honed their craft, the bubbly became more reliable and subsequently more popular.

The French Champagne Region

The Champagne region of France is in the Northern portion of the country, Northeast of Paris and near the Belgian border. The Montagne de Reims, Valle de la Marne and Cote des Blancs house thousands of vineyards and Champagne producers. The climate of the area is cooler than that of the more Southern French vineyards and the growing season is shorter. The weather is part of what naturally made Champagne's bubbles, initially. The region is also characterized by chalky soil and rolling hills.

Grapes in French Champagne

Three grape varieties are used in making French Champagne: Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Many French Champagnes are comprised of up to 40% Pinot Meunier; it is a hearty grape that can tolerate the colder climes of the region.

French Champagne vs. Sparkling Wine

Champagne is all sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine can be called Champagne. So, what is the difference? Sparkling wine is any wine with carbonation; if it has bubbles and it is wine, it is sparkling wine. It can be produced anywhere in the world.

Champagne however, is by definition, French. That is, at least according to the French. To be called Champagne in France, a sparkling wine must be produced in the so-delineated 86,000 acres of the Champagne region in Northern France. Want a sparkling wine that is close to Champagne? Look for "Methode champenoise" on the label; this indicates the wine was prepared in the French Champagne-making style, albeit elsewhere.

Bubble, bubbles

So, what makes each Champagne unique? Of course the grapes that are used, but even more important is the assemblage. This is the blending process by which the vintner creates a particular Champagne. In addition, modern French Champagne goes through a second fermentation process, known as dosage; extra sugar and wine are added in this phase to perfect the Champagne.

The final sugar content of the wine is indicated on the label of French Champagne with the following descriptors:

• Extra Brut, also called Natural: Extra Brut is extremely dry and is not one of the more common varieties.

• Brut: This is one of the most popular types of Champagne in the U.S. and in France; Brut is quite dry. The best grapes are generally reserved for the Brut Champagnes. Looking for a New Year's Eve or Sunday brunch French Champagne most everyone will love? This is your best bet.

• Extra Dry, Extra Sec: While still fairly dry, Extra Dry is sweeter than Brut. It is a good selection for Champagne that you would like to serve with a sweet brunch or light dessert.

• Sec: Sec is a slightly sweet Champagne and is best suited for dessert service.

• Demi-Sec: Demi-Sec is a very sweet French Champagnes and is not very common in the U.S.

• Doux" With a resounding 5% sugar content, this Champagne is a bubbly dessert wine.

When the grapes are pressed for Champagne, a gentle process is used so that the skins are not incorporated. This accounts for the wine's delicate color.

French Champagnes to Try

So, great. Only sparkling wine from these villages in France can be called Champagne, and some of it is pretty good. But, what should I be drinking?

Try some of these French Champagnes for a wonderful wine experience:

French Champagne Under $50

• Pierre Gimonnet ($28)
• Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut ($35)
• Domaine Carneros Brut Carneros ($25)
• Moet & Chandon NV Brut Imperial ($40)

French Champagne Over $50

• Piper Heidsieck 1995 Brut Vintage ($60)
• Veuve Clicquot NV Brut: Yellow Label ($68)
• Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon ($120)