Champagne is a sparkling wine that has been produced in the Champagne region of France for centuries.
It is produced by blending grapes from “the three Champagne grape varieties,” including chardonnay, pinot noir, and Pinot Meunier.
The most common types of Champagne are those made with white grapes (chardonnay), but rosé champagne can also be found in stores.
There are many different types of Champagne to choose from – what might be best is to know what kind of food you’ll be pairing with your drink so you can pick the perfect one.
In this article, we will cover what Champagne is, what it tastes like and how to pair what you eat with what you drink.
What is Champagne?
Champagne is a sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region of France.
The name “champagne” derives its origin from this region, which is thought to be the drink’s birthplace.
Throughout Champagne’s history, it has had a few periods where production was halted and even banned for some time.
Most people believe that during this period in French history- The Prohibition Era -Champagne wasn’t being produced.
But today, there is no shortage of Champagne on the market again as demand rises every year with celebrations like New Year’s Eve approaches.
The drink that gets your party started is made from three grapes: chardonnay, pinot noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Pinot Noir gives it an earthy taste with fruity overtones, while Pinot Meunier adds some acid to balance out this perfect beverage at just $40 per bottle.
The average ABV is usually around 12%, and the sugar content is often just a touch higher than regular wine.
Champagne is usually served chilled in tulip glasses at room temperature, although it may also be enjoyed over ice or with some soda water added.
Process of Making Champagne
Traditionally, Champagne is a sparkling white wine produced by the méthode champenoise or méthode traditionnelle.
This process entails blending fruit juices and pressing out some of the juice’s natural sugar before bottling it for that second fermentation period to produce bubbles.
The yeast used in this production can be partially cultured from wines or beers, finishing their secondary ferment on its lees (dead yeasts).
The process for making Champagne is long and complicated, but it begins with the grapes.
The grapes are harvested from vineyards in France and then pressed into juice to produce wine.
This “must” becomes a base for fermentation that will last 15-20 days when yeast turns sugar into alcohol.
Once fermentation is complete, the wine can be clarified and bottled.
The second fermentation is then conducted in the bottle, where sugar and yeast are added to the wine.
The cork stopper and wire cage hold back a crown cap that has been tightly fitted on top of the neck for this second fermentation process that produces bubbles.
Once there’s enough pressure from carbon dioxide inside (about 40-50 pounds per square inch), it will be time to remove that part of the cork so that Champagne can flow out.
For sparkling wines like Champagne to retain their sparkle, they must not be exposed to any air before opening or pouring.
As with most complex wines such as sherry, Madeira, and Port, storing bottles at an angle will help keep them fresh longer because less oxygen enters through the wine.
Champagne vs Prosecco
It’s that time of the year again.
Gifts are being wrapped, dinner invitations have been sent out, and now it is finally party planning season.
But what will you serve your guests? Many people ask me which Champagne I prefer to drink at this particular holiday/occasion, so today we’re going to discuss them both: Prosecco and Champagne.
Champagne and Prosecco are two types of sparkling wines.
Champagne is made in the Champagne region of France, while prosecco comes from Italy’s Veneto region.
Both varieties can be dry or sweet and come in various flavors, including black currant, peach, blueberry, raspberry, and cherry.
When it comes to how they’re served–perhaps more important than what type you drink–Proseccos should always be chilled before serving but never iced; Champagnes may need to have some ice added if it’s too cold where you live or not well-chilled when opened.
In addition, try chilling your champagne glasses with ice for optimal taste.
Champagne typically comes off sweeter, which might be good depending on what occasion– like weddings.
However, Procecso will give your mouth something to keep coming back for: that tangy fruitiness mixed with bubbles makes them both so addicting.
How to Pair Champagne?
This is a question that more and more people are asking as they begin integrating the beverage into their dinner parties.
The key to pairing Champagne with food is first knowing the type of Champagne you have and then figuring out what types of dishes would pair well with it.
For example, if your bubbles are brut or extra-dry, they will be best served with more assertive flavors that can stand up to them.
Try serving Champagne with roast chicken or a big chunk lobster tail right off the grill for starters.
If your bubbly has a little more sweetness in its flavor profile, go bold by partnering it up with deep-fried bacon-wrapped dates stuffed full of blue cheese cream cheese.
These are just some examples, and there is no wrong answer when experimenting – even random matches make interesting drinking experiences.
In general, it is safe to say that Champagne pairs well with anything salty, sweet, or spicy.
What Does Champagne Taste Like? Does Champagne Taste Good?
Are you wondering what Champagne tastes like? It is hard to imagine a sparkling wine tasting anything but sweet.
However, the taste of Champagne varies from dry and tart to downright sour.
Champagne’s light yet complex flavors are almost too difficult to describe; think about drinking carbonated white wine or sparkling white grape juice.
Sparkling wine is made by fermenting the grapes with yeast in a process called “secondary fermentation,” which results in bubbles that produce its distinctive effervescence and heady aromas of fresh fruit, flowers, honey, and spices.
Once it’s bottled for sale, Champagne must be aged at least three years before being released to consumers- so make sure you age your bottles correctly.
The difference in flavor depends on how much yeast was added during fermentation which affects its alcohol content.
Dryer champagnes are higher in acidity with more intense aromas and flavors, while sweeter styles have less acidity and fruity characteristics.
To get an idea about how different brands can differ, try them side by side to notice these differences for yourself.
This will give you a better understanding of what your particular palate prefers and help when deciding which Champagne to serve with your dinner.
How to Store Champagne?
One of the most difficult decisions you have to make as a wine enthusiast is how long you should store your Champagne.
Many factors determine when it’s time to open and enjoy it or drink it down with dinner before opening another bottle on New Year’s Eve.
Do you know the best way to store Champagne? The answer is not so simple, but it can be said that less “fizz” equals longer storage.
This is because sparking wines contain many bubbles created by dissolved carbon dioxide gas from fermentation.
These bubbles impart some of their CO² into wine and eventually deplete themselves through contact with air (which they replace).
Champagne’s bubbling process takes between six months and two years; this determines its lifespan significantly.
The ideal temperature for storing sparkling wine varies depending on your climate conditions: cooler in winter than summer.
However, don’t keep them too cold or warm – the perfect range is 45-55° F/11-13° C.
The Champagne must be stored upright and on its side.
Keep in mind that the cork may need to dry out before you put it back into the bottle, which will help with oxygen exposure.
Corked bottles should also be stored on their sides so that wine doesn’t leak out of them if they are accidentally tilted over.
If your space is limited, consider getting a metal or plastic rack for storing them vertically; but remember to keep one hand under each row as these racks can topple easily.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Champagne is a type of wine that is produced in the Champagne region of France.
This award-winning drink has now become one of the most popular types of wines for celebrations such as weddings, New Year’s Eve, or just a night out with friends.
Champagne is made in a way that allows it to be dry or sweet, depending on the wine maker’s preference.
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