This little article tells you about the making of Champagne. Champagne has a rich history. All sorts of famous characters have meddled with the stuff and therefore lots of amusing anecdotes do the rounds. Did you know for instance that Champagne was in fact invented by the Brits? Or that Napoleon, Churchill and more of these belligerent fellows drank their daily share of Champagne? The following Chapter tells you all about it.
Of course it all begins with the grapes. What type of grapes are being used and which characteristics they pass on to the Champagne you will find in this chapter. The quality of Champagne is mainly determined by the quality of the grapes that are used. To prevent you from having to learn every type of Champagne by heart, the French have invented the cru quality standardisation.
For years on end the same cycle has been followed in the vineyards. It is a hell of a job to produce a quality grape. We will watch the whole process from the winter to the next harvest, step by step.
As soon as the grapes have been harvested in august/September they are pressed and subsequently the manufacturing process which makes Champagne such a unique beverage begins. In the cellars a process of mixing, fermenting, tasting and shaking takes place and then all one can do is wait till the stuff is ready.
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