Champagne

There is no drink quite as festive as Champagne. Sparkling wine was first produced within its three main towns – Reims, its largest and home to the Montagne de Reims, famed for its Pinot Noir; Epernay, the capital of the Côte des Blancs, the area most renowned for its Chardonnay; and Ay, the town situated on the border of both the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. Less expensive Champagnes are often produced in the more southern area of Côte de Sézanne and the Côte des Bar. The industrialisation of Champagne was developed by the widow (veuve) Clicquot in the 19th century. But it was carried through by other Houses, such as Bollinger, Krug and Moët & Chandon. While large Houses still dominate Champagne’s wine scene, in recent years there have been a plethora of smaller producers, known as “grower Champagnes” that have popped up. Instead of selling their grapes to negociants, they produce their own sparkling wines – a system that reflects other regions such as Burgundy. Some of the best grower Champagnes include Anselme Selosse and Cédric Bouchard.