An Introduction to Champagne

“My only regret in life is that I did not drink more champagne.”
John Maynard Keynes

  

Champagne is the drink for celebration and is synonymous with success and luxury. For many, it is the perfect wine for making toasts at some of the most important events in our lifetimes. It seems that not a single wedding, engagement or New Year celebration can pass without millions reaching for a glass of bubbly.

Certainly, champagne seems to have that magic ingredient that makes life just that little bit more exciting and enjoyable. It’s strange to think that many people in the UK, and even those that love champagne, can name only a few producers. Often these are limited to the famous Champagne Houses (Bollinger, Veuve Clicquot, Moet & Chandon…) but there are thousands of different champagnes produced in the region. In fact, some of the best value, and best tasting, can be sourced from far smaller producers such as Charles Mignon.

Champagne is in part famous for its early association with royalty in the 1700’s and the stunning advertising in the 20th century. Yet even today champagne continues to hold a magnetic presence in popular culture. For recent examples one need only to look to celebrity endorsements from the likes of Scarlet Johanson (Moët & Chandon, 2011) and the infamous boycotting of Louis Roederer’s Cristal by Jay Z in 2006.

Since champagne was developed by the monk Dom Perignon, champagne has been seen at high-profile celebrations and parties the world over. And, while the mystique, hype and fantasy around this sparkling fizz refuses to go flat, it looks like it’ll be around for us to enjoy for many more years to come.