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Champagne Wine

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Champagne is the most famous sparkling wine region in the world. It is located in northeastern France, near the northern limit for winemaking. The major villages of Champagne are Reims, Epernay, and Ay. The only grapes permitted in Champagne are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. Though there is some dispute on the subject, the process by which Champagne is made, with a secondary fermentation in bottle, is said to have been invented here. The soil is largely chalk, providing the wines with a distinct minerality. The climate is cool and harsh, and the vintages are inconsistent, which gave rise to the practice of blending.

The five major districts of Champagne are: Montagne de Reims (mostly Pinot Noir), Cote des Blancs (Chardonnay), Aube (Pinot Noir), Valee de la Marne (Pinot Meunier), and Cote de Sezanne (Chardonnay).

The region is dominated by Champagne houses, which purchase most of their grapes from growers and blend their wines according to a house style. Their greatest strengths Read more »

Trait-d'Union or a cult group of high quality terroir Champagne producers

As harvest is once again upon us, I thought it would be fun to elaborate on a few Champagne producers who have been working in a different way for a few decades and who have come together under the name Trait-d'Union. The group i...

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Champagne Boizel, a Family, a House, a Tradition

Several months ago I ended up in Evelyne Boizel’s office – without an appointment mind you – and spent about 45 minutes waiting for a mutual friend who never showed up. Once I realized who exactly the lady opposite me was, I felt a little intimidated. ...

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The History of the prestige cuvée in Champagne

In glossary terms, a prestige cuvée is an exceptional Champagne, generally aged extensively and very carefully blended from the best parcels, which sell for a premium. Historically speaking, and with some irony in the timing, the concept was developed ...

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Moet Ice Imperial and 5 other Gimmick Wines

Summertime means drinking Champagne on ice, right? Well that’s what Moet & Chandon wants you to think. The winery has released their Moet Ice Imperial, a Champagne meant to be sipped on ice. Reviews have been mixed, and the Huffington Post even sugge...

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Wine for Weddings: The Toast

Here's a confession: I served terrible Champagne (sorry, "Champagne") at my wedding. I was too young to know better and my guests were too Baptist to drink it, anyhow. If anyone was offended by the sweet, gold, fat-bubbled juice in their glass, they he...

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November's Top Searched for Items on Snooth

With Thanksgiving behind us, I thought it would be interactive to see what's been searched on Snooth over these past 30 days and compare them to last year’s list. Are there any trends that have emerged? Any wines that should be on your radar? Let's tak...

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Caroline Henry's Wild Mushroom Risotto

Clean the mushrooms with a mushroom brush and chop them up. Cut up the shallot and in in a heavy based saucepan melt the butter. Then add the shallot and mushrooms and cook them with a cover on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Afte...

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Caroline Henry's Perri Perri Prawn, Mango, Grape and Kiwi Salad

Pour some olive oil in a bowl, add the Perri Perri powder and mix well. Then add the prawns, and coat them in the perri perri oil. Heat a skillet and flash fry the prawns till they turn pink (about 1 to 1.5 minutes each side). Remove the prawns from th...

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Erica Landin's Triple Cooked Sweet Potato Fries with Truffle Mayo

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Pairing Sparkling Wine

I never gave sparkling wine a fair shake (no pun intended). Like most people, my first exposures to sparkling wines were New Year’s Eve parties as a kid. Sooner or later, someone would put a glass of Champagne in my hand. I’d take a sip and think about...

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G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut Champagne (1975)

Winery: G.H. Mumm
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines
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zufrieden

This Mumm is a little weak overall - though very Champagne; I would say that the nose should have more obvious toastiness and brioche. But this is not in evidence - although everything is in balance, there is not so much to balance; more character is...

Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial (NV)

Winery: Moët & Chandon
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines
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runningbear

refreshing, interesting Champagne designed to be served over ice. great summer drink we tried in miami

Vueve Cliquot

Winery: Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines
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mikespeer

Peach, Mellon nose......full bodies on the palate with a long dry finish

Bollinger Brut Special Cuvee (NV)

Winery: Bollinger
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines
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Erica Landin

The champagne of James Bond (the movie version) never disappoints. Full bodied, generous, with gorgeous mousse. Works with food or canapés. It's the BMW of champagne - reliable, sexy, luxurious with perfection in the detail.

La Grande Cuvee En Champagne Krug

Winery: Champagne Krug
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines
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Caroline Henry

Elegant yet rich nose,complex yet very approachable champagne. It is said this Champagne aims to be the greatest expression of pleasure and it definitely is very wonderful to drink!

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Blanc (2003)

Winery: Moët & Chandon
Region: France » Champagne » Vallée de la Marne » Côteaux sud d'Epernay » Epernay
Type: Sparkling Wines
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runningbear

Good champagne from Moet & Chandon. We certainly like this one more than the oh-so-en-vogue Veuve Clicquot, but less than the M & C Nectar Imperial

Rene Geoffroy Champagne Brut Rose de Saignee (NV)

Winery: Rene Geoffroy
Region: France » Champagne » Vallée de la Marne » Grande Vallée de la Marne » CUMIERES
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Type: Sparkling Wines
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Caroline Henry

Ruby red in colour with small mouse; Lovely Pinot Noir nose - lots of red berries and a little forest floor. Great weight and body due a few remaining tannins, lots of red fruit flavours and a few hints of wild mushrooms and a fresh mineral finish.

Pierre Peters Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Cuvée de Réserve (NV)

Winery: Pierre Peters
Region: France » Champagne
Varietal: Chardonnay
Type: Sparkling Wines
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runningbear

Clean champagne. Very nice, if perhaps a bit dry for our palate.

Pol Roger Champagne Blend Champagne Brut Rosé (2000)

Winery: Pol Roger
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines
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zufrieden

Picked up this millésime pink Champagne at a large discount so gave it a go. Nose of lingenberry, pincherry and strawberry, this wine has somewhat weak effervescence (sometimes a trademark of this colour wine). Good Pinot characteristics of stem, str...

Jacquart Champagne Blend Champagne Brut (2011)

Winery: Jacquart
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines
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alanb1108

Schöne Farbe, riecht sehr gut! Im Gaumen etwas Honig, leicht süsslich.

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Taittinger Champagne Blend Champagne
Winery: taittinger  
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines

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Avocado Crostini Two Ways Recipe

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Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Champagne Blend Champagne Green Top Demi-Sec
Winery: Monopole
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines

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Orange-Scented Grilled Lobster Tails

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Charles de Fere Brut Cuvee Jean Louis
Winery: Charles de Fère
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines

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Deviled Eggs with Caviar

There was never a deviled egg I didn't like and these are no exception.  The caviar adds a unique flavor as well as a touch of elegance.  Serve with Moet Chandon Champagne. Read more »

Henri Abele Champagne Blend Champagne Brut
Winery: Henri Abele
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines

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Caviar on Pumpernickel with Sour Cream

Tartines de Caviar à la Crème Aigre Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 25 min Read more »

Charles de Cazanove Champagne Blend Champagne Cazanova
Winery: Charles De Cazanove
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines

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Baja-Style Grilled Rock Lobster Tails

Use kitchen shears or a cleaver to cut the tails in half. Lightly char green onions alongside the tails on the grill. We like dousing the tails in Mexican hot sauce, such as Cholula, for authentic ... Read more »

Montaudon Champagne Blend Champagne Brut
Winery: Montaudon
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines

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Chickpea and Mint Crostini

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Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Champagne Blend Champagne Blue Top Brut
Winery: Heidsieck & Co.
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines

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Caviar Dream with Endive and Baby Potatoes

A creamy sauce and a trio of caviars are the "dream" of this party dish. Buy the quality and quantity of caviar that fit your budget. Read more »

Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Blend Champagne Brut
Winery: Nicolas Feuillatte
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines

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Croque monsieur au caviar d'aubergine et au chèvre

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Ayala Champagne Blend Champagne Perle d'Ayala
Winery: Ayala
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines

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Egg Salad Caviar Appetizer

A distinctive addition to any appetizer or buffet table, this treat combines the slightly salty and buttery flavor of caviar with eggs for a tasty spread for crackers or small toasts. Read more »

Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Blend Champagne Cuvée Rare
Winery: Piper-Heidsieck
Region: France » Champagne
Type: Sparkling Wines

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Cowboy Caviar

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1073671Erica Landin

Top 10 champagnes (and sparkling wines) for New Years

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332026Caroline Henry

Outstanding Terroir Champagnes by members of Trait-d'Union

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1060100Christy Canterbury MW

Champagne I'm Digging Right Now

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Mentor for Champagne Wines

Erica Landin

While working as a Biotech equities analyst, a divine Burgundy stopped me in my tracks and made me re-evaluate life. Today, I'm a full time wine writer. Passionate about small, quality producers, minimal intervention winemaking & sustainability in wine.

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Popular wines made in Champagne under $20

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Varietals Produced in Champagne View all

  • Pinot Noir

    “With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Van...

  • Chardonnay

    British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

  • Burger Grape

  • Prosecco

    History of the grape: References to a lightly sparkling wine in the Veneto date back to the 1100s, but it was much sw...

Subregions of Champagne

Popular Wineries in Champagne View all

  • Champagne J. de Telmont

    Family is a rich and precious word, encompassing past, present and future. In the Maison J. De Te...

  • Moët & Chandon

      Moet & Chandon is one of the most well-known luxury champagne producers in the word. Wi...

  • Montaudon

    Today MONTAUDON is one of the rare champagne houses still owned entirely by the founding family. ...

  • Bauget-Jouette

    Winegrowers and producers dating back to 1822, five generations of BAUGET-JOUETTE have created an...

  • Canard-Duchene

    1860 in Ludes, Victor Canard, A cooper, and Léonie Duchêne, from a family of “vignerons” met and ...

  • Ruinart

    Ruinart is the oldest Champagne house, exclusively producing champagne since 1729. Founded by ...

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