CHAMPAGNE
In the year of 1600, village of Hautvillers, land of the old French Champagne, Abbe Perignon tasting for the first first time the very nice bouquet of sparkling wine: Champagne.
As always with products intended to last, the Champagne has a slow development, trade at the time, not yet estimated the importance of wine of new style, but over time, wins, winning his place of honor in tables of the largest in France and is essential at feasts, the new method sparkling wine foam.
Although sparkling wine produced in those parts where grapes are harvested, none has ever equaled, quality and exquisiteness of true Champagne.
Champagne cheap, does not exist, due to its long aging process, since they require 10 to 15 years to prepare.
True Champagne (in its natural state) is a dry drink, so it is generally added some sweet liquor in the last stage of their development process.
French labels indicate the proportion of sweet liqueur added, as follows:
Natural (not mixed with sweet liqueur)
Brut (sweetened up to 1%)
Extra-Dry (sweetened up to 3%)
Dry or Sec (sweetened up to 5%)
Semi-Sec (sweetened up un8%)
Demi-Sec (sweetened up to 10%)
Doux (sweetened up to 12%)
Because Champagne is a blend of different wines from different vineyards, the best guide to selecting a good champagne is the reputation of the producer. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, known as Champagne «Widow», has won the prestige it enjoys today, by the delicacy and consistency of their product.