CHAMPAGNER & SPARKLING WINE
Strictly speaking, champagne is a sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region in the north-east of France. If it is a sparkling wine from another region, it is sparkling wine, not champagne. While many people generally use the term "champagne" for any sparkling wine, the French have retained their right to call their wines champagne for over a century. The Treaty of Madrid, signed in 1891, established this rule, and the Treaty of Versailles reaffirmed it. The European Union is helping to further protect this exclusivity, even though certain American producers are still allowed to use the term 'champagne'.
Sparkling wines can be made in various ways, but traditional champagne comes to life through a process called "champenoise". Champagne begins its life like any normal wine. The grapes are harvested, pressed and undergo a first fermentation. The acidic results of this process are then mixed and bottled with some yeast and sugar so that it can undergo a second fermentation in the bottle. This second fermentation also gives the champagne its typical bubbles. The new yeast begins its work, then dies and becomes what is called lees. The bottles are then stored horizontally so that the wine can mature "on the lees" for 15 months or more. After this maturation, the winemakers turn the bottles upside down so that the lees can settle on the bottom. Once this is done, the winemakers open the bottles to remove the yeast, add a little sugar, called dosage, to determine the sweetness of the champagne. The terms But and Extra Brut also describe how much sugar has been added to the champagne.
In our online shop you will find not only exclusive spirits, but also fine champagnes and sparkling wines for every occasion. Whether as a treat for yourself or as a gift, whether it is Brut, vintage - Champagne or Rose: You are spoilt for choice. Add a little glamour to your life and treat yourself to a bottle of this noble beverage!