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Wines tasted: 25
The most important grape varieties
The French wine region of Champagne was the most famous sparkling wine in the world, the proprietary name Champagne . The heart of the production area is Reims, where in the 12th and 13 -Century Cathedral of Notre-Dame, almost all French monarchs were crowned, but also the towns of Epernay and Chalons-sur-Marne, have great significance. Champagne is the northernmost wine region of France in the Paris Basin, about 140 kilometers east of Paris. The "Région de la Champagne délimitée viticole" was first defined in 1908, then amended in 1911 and 1927 ¸ finalized. It is divided into five zones with different grape varieties priorities. That's Montagne de Reims (sand and clay cliffs), Vallée de la Marne (sandy loam and clay), Cote des Blancs (sand and clay cliffs), Côte de Sézanne (marl, sand and clay cliffs) and the lying south of Côte du Bar in the department of Aube (gravelly limestone soil weathering). The vineyards cover 34,000 hectares that are planted to 99% with the three Champagne varieties Pinot Noir (38%), Pinot Meunier (33%) and Chardonnay (28%). The four varieties Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are approved for historical reasons but also for the champagne, but have only quantified with a total of only 90 hectares of vines almost no meaning.
Wine making process to the geographical area in which it is allowed, the musts of the Champagne appellation for wine or sparkling wine to expand and fill it includes 634 municipalities. Within this area terroirs have been identified and are suitable for growing wine. Consequently may be produced in 319 communities grapes. In the year 2003 requested the Champagne professions, the INAO to officially make a revision, following analysis of the defined limits of the vineyard. The test was an independent, transferred in March 2006 by the INAO appointed committee of experts. This suggested that the end of 2007, a total of 675 define (instead of 634) as a wine processing area, and 357 municipalities (instead of 319) as a grape growing region. It is estimated that the work will be required for the final realization of the 2009 amendments commenced and completed around 2015. Of a current total of about 19,000 growers, most of the grapes delivered to the big Champagne houses that have only 10% of the vineyard. There is a similar classification system as in Burgundy named crus of the échelle are 17 municipalities, 38 municipalities classified as Premier Cru. The vines of these communities include approximately 9,000 acres. The rank is rarely mentioned on the label, mostly because different layers are blended.
The mystery and the great success of the incomparable Champagne are especially soil type , climate, and of course in the production method as defined by law. The soil is chalky throughout with some sandy surface and is called Craie à Belemnites known. The conditions are ideal for sparkling wine production, as the grapes that grow here give a soft light, fine wine and sour base. The chalk makes the roots grow very deep into the soil and also saves water. The chalky soil is also the ideal cellar, from which the city of Reims is formally covered by underground. This year in the cellar, have a year out, optimal temperature 10-11 ° C and a Humidity 70-90% of what for years of storage and aging of the champagne very important. There are around 300 million bottles of Champagne production. Other appellations in the Champagne region are Coteaux Champenois for still wines and non-foaming Rosé Riceys for the famous rosé. Both Champagne and Still wines must be bottled only leave the champagne - that is, not in tanks, drums or other containers. Thus, processing of Champagne base wines outside of the area is impossible.
Wine making process to the geographical area in which it is allowed, the musts of the Champagne appellation for wine or sparkling wine to expand and fill it includes 634 municipalities. Within this area terroirs have been identified and are suitable for growing wine. Consequently may be produced in 319 communities grapes. In the year 2003 requested the Champagne professions, the INAO to officially make a revision, following analysis of the defined limits of the vineyard. The test was an independent, transferred in March 2006 by the INAO appointed committee of experts. This suggested that the end of 2007, a total of 675 define (instead of 634) as a wine processing area, and 357 municipalities (instead of 319) as a grape growing region. It is estimated that the work will be required for the final realization of the 2009 amendments commenced and completed around 2015. Of a current total of about 19,000 growers, most of the grapes delivered to the big Champagne houses that have only 10% of the vineyard. There is a similar classification system as in Burgundy named crus of the échelle are 17 municipalities, 38 municipalities classified as Premier Cru. The vines of these communities include approximately 9,000 acres. The rank is rarely mentioned on the label, mostly because different layers are blended.
The mystery and the great success of the incomparable Champagne are especially soil type , climate, and of course in the production method as defined by law. The soil is chalky throughout with some sandy surface and is called Craie à Belemnites known. The conditions are ideal for sparkling wine production, as the grapes that grow here give a soft light, fine wine and sour base. The chalk makes the roots grow very deep into the soil and also saves water. The chalky soil is also the ideal cellar, from which the city of Reims is formally covered by underground. This year in the cellar, have a year out, optimal temperature 10-11 ° C and a Humidity 70-90% of what for years of storage and aging of the champagne very important. There are around 300 million bottles of Champagne production. Other appellations in the Champagne region are Coteaux Champenois for still wines and non-foaming Rosé Riceys for the famous rosé. Both Champagne and Still wines must be bottled only leave the champagne - that is, not in tanks, drums or other containers. Thus, processing of Champagne base wines outside of the area is impossible.