La Champagne, feminine,
is the region. Le Champagne is the wine, masculine.
In the strict laws of appellation, that govern the making and the naming
of French wines, the word “Champagne” has a very precise and closely guarded
meaning. Up until legislation which was brought into protect the use of the
names such as Champagne; many wine regions around the world making sparkling
wine would almost always, put Champagne on their labelling as they knew it would help increase
sales!
Located at the northern edges of the wine growing world, the
history of the Champagne wine region has had a significant role in the
development of its unique terroir. The area covers 33,500 hectares. (76,000
acres) of vineyards around 319 villages that are home to 5,000 growers who make
their own wine and 14,000 growers who only sell grapes. The region is set to
expand to include 359 villages in the near future due to growing market
demands, namely from Asia. The different
districts produce grapes of varying characteristics which are blended by the
champagne houses to create their distinct house styles.
The principal grapes grown in the region include Chardonnay,
Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Pinot Noir is the most widely planted grape in
the Aube region and grows very well in the Montagne de Reims. Pinot Meunier is
the dominant grape in the Vallée de la Marne region. The Côte des Blancs is
dedicated almost exclusively to Chardonnay. The Pinots of the Montagne de Reims which are planted on north facing slopes are known for their high levels of
acid and the” delicacy” which they add to the blend. The grapes on the southern
facing slopes add more “ power and
character”.
Grapes across the district contribute to the bouquet and headiness. The abundance of southern facing slopes in the Vallée de la Marne produces the “ripest wines” with “full aroma”. The Côte des Blancs grapes are known for their finesse and the freshness which they add to blends.
as well as the newly extended nearby Côte de Sézanne offering similar though slightly less distinguished trait.
Grapes across the district contribute to the bouquet and headiness. The abundance of southern facing slopes in the Vallée de la Marne produces the “ripest wines” with “full aroma”. The Côte des Blancs grapes are known for their finesse and the freshness which they add to blends.
as well as the newly extended nearby Côte de Sézanne offering similar though slightly less distinguished trait.
Historically, the area's proximity to Paris promoted the
region's economic success in its wine. The region developed a reputation for
quality wine production in the early Middle Ages and was able to continue that
reputation as the region's producers began making sparkling wine with the
advent of the great Champagne houses in the 17th &; 18th centuries. The majority of the Champagne Houses have
their headquarters in Rhiems, Epernay and Ay.
Moet et Chandon
Moët et Chandon was established in 1743 by Claude Moet, and
today owns more than 1,000 hectares of
vineyards, and annually produces approximately 26,000,000 bottles of champagne! It is part of the LVMH group owned by Bernard Arnault.
Laurent Perrier
Laurent Perrier was founded in 1812 by a gentleman named
Alphonse Pierlot and he willed his company to his cellarmaster, Eugene Laurent.
It was then sold to Marie - louise Lanson de Nanoncourt in 1939. It is still in the same family today. Luarent
Perrier, continues to produce highly
acclaimed and much sought after Champagnes.
Pol Roger
Champagne Pol Roger was founded in 1849. The brand is still
owned and run by its descendants today. Annual production is 110,000 cases of
excellent sparkling wine. One of Pol Roger's most famous tipplers, was Winston Churchill, after whom they named their Cuvee Prestige!
Krug
Krug was established in 1843 by Johann Joesph Krug. Johann
learned his trade at Jacquesson for 9 years before setting up Krug. The house
is now part of LMVH, but has a certain amount of autonomy. The house owns 20
hectares of vineyards and buys the rest from contract growers. All the wines at
Krug undergo primary fermentation in 205 litre oak barrels, which help to
provide its famous rich oaky flavour. The Chardonnay grape is the mainstay of
their Grande Cuvee.
Bollinger
Champagne
Bollinger is independently owned by the Bollinger family to this day and was founded in 1829 .
One of her most notable family
member’s was a Scotswoman, Elizabeth Law de lauriston Bourbers ,who
married Jacques Bollinger in 1923. She became passionately involved with the
House’s legacy. “Madam Jacques “ as she was know in the house, threw her heart
and soul into the house when she lost her husband aged 42 in the war. The familiar image of her
cycling through the vineyards is imprinted in local memories. The Bollinger
champagne House has created prestigious champagnes with character,
distinguished by their elegance and complexity, since 1829.
Veuve Cliquot
Founded in 1722 by Philipe Clicquot-Muiron. Clicquot played a significant role in
establishing Champagne as a favoured tipple by the haut bourgeoise and nobility
throughout Europe. Veuve Clicquot also
had a notable female family member who left a legacy. Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin married into the
family in 1798, but was sadly widowed a few years later in 1805. During the
Napoleonic wars she gathered a huge following for her Champagne in royal courts
throughout Europe , most importantly that of Imperial Russia. She also invented the riddling rack with the
help of her cellarmaster. Since 1987 is has been part of the LVMH group.
The region of Champagne is also home to many talented small
Champagne producers who have worked hard to build a loyal following. These
Champagnes often known as “grower Champagnes”, have a lot of individual style
and flavour as they showcase the terroir of individual vineyards where the
grapes are grown. The average landholding is usually 3 hectares (6.6 acres of
land). However, if the landowner is lucky enough to hold its vineyards in a
Grand Cru village, the yield per hectare per price of bottle is so high that it
can suppor t 3 generations on just 6 acres! When land does come up for sale a
typical selling price is 1 million Euro per acre!
Champagne Marguet (Mitchell and Son
House Champagne)
Champagne Marguet was founded in 1875 by Emile Marguet. Benoit
Marguet is the 5th generation
Marguet to farm their vineyards today near to the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay ,on the Montagne de Rhiems. Benoit is extremely interested in practising
Natural or Organic viticultural methods. Percheron Cart horses are employed in
the vineyards over tractors and many methods are carried out closely watching
the phases of the moon. Huge respect for land husbandry is practised. This is
commonly know as Biodynamic farming. The result is fantatic champagnes full of
vigour and finesse.
“Each cuvee is a creation, each
one with its own style. There is no real hierarchy between them, simply
varied qualities, to be appreciated according to the moment and
the seasons’.”
Champagne Food
Pairings
Chauorce
Cheese (Sheridans cheesemongers/Fallon and Byrne)
Langres
Cheese (Sheridans Cheesemongers/Fallon and Byrne).
Sushi
Chicken
liver pate
Mushroom
Risotto
Scrambled
eggs with smoked salmon
Shellfish
Chicken Breasts
cooked in a Champagne Sauce
4 Chicken
Breasts
Pepper
4
Tablespoons of Butter
1 cup of
diced Fennel
1 cup of
white part of leeks
2,5 cups of
diced chestnut mushrooms
1 cup of
chicken stock
1 cup of
Champagne or sparkling wine
1 cup of
double cream
1. Cut each chicken breast in half.
Place between parchment paper and flatten lightly with a pounder.
2. Heat the butter in a pan, and add the
fennel, leeks and mushrooms for over 1 minute.
3. Add the chicken stock, cover and cook
gently for 5 minutes.
4. Quickly dredge the chicken pieces in
flour and add to the pan
5. Saute for 30 seconds on both sides
6. Add Champagne and let boil for a few
seconds
7. Stir in cream, re duce and cook
for 5minutes
Serve with wild rice and steamed kale and spinach.
