French Champagne : a classic choice from France.

The wines produced in the Champagne area of France were once the exclusive privilege of the monks and the Church. The first King of France was given the honour of anointment using the Champagne wine in A.D. 496. Several centuries down the line, Prince Philip the Fair married Jeanne de Navarre, daughter of the family that owned Champagne. This brought the region, and its divine liquid into the political fold, and the crowning ceremonies of subsequent French Kings began being held in Rheims, a prestigeous
centreplace of the Champagne. French Champagne began to be associated with blue-blood royalty and all things royal - a kind of rite of passage from prince to King.

Earlier, Champagne wines were light and crisp. The demands of the royals to increase its potency motivated the vintners to produce white, sparkling wines. Experimenters such as Dom Pierre Perignon worked on the fizz that Champagne naturally generated even while fermenting; and invented methods that preserved the effervescence after bottling. Now spread over an oversaturated area of about thirty-four thousand hectares, this divine concoction has come to signify anything to do with celebrations and
significant events in the lives of men and nations. Indeed, the rich in the 1920s United States were known to construct "Champagne Fountains" at parties, where the wine literally flowed and recycled!

In order to preserve the exclusivity of the produce of this region, the entire manufacturing process is strictly regulated. Vintners can grow only the grape varieties that are permitted - the Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, and the Pinot Noir.

Quite a few families have made their name in the French Champagne business world.
Moet & Chandon, Taittinger, Louis Roederer, Krug, Charles Heidsieck, J Bollinger; these are some of the illustrious people and business houses that have established themselves for quite a few decades. Of these, the business house of Moet & Chandon has roots that go back to 1743, and its pioneer Jean-Remy Moet was a close friend of Napoleon - a relationship that certainly helped the then fledgling business to prosper!

Tasting a sample of Champagne is a religious ritual for some. The bottles are obtained quite well in advance and stored in darkness. Just before they are to be served, the bottles are chilled. At the time of taking the first sip, it is
recommended to smell the wine first. This alerts all the senses about the taste  that the tongue is about to get. People are also often exhorted not to wear  strong perfumes when around a table laid out with French Champagne, lest it should come in the way of the delicate aromas that the wine lets out after being poured in the glasses. Ditto is the advice for ripe cheese and meat.

Even the glassware that Champagne should be poured into has evolved into a niche.
Specially designed glasses known as "flutes" are used to serve the wine. These glasses have a slender shape, meant to retain the effervescence longer; and their elegant shape enhances the visual appeal of the bubbles rising
in a central column up the glass.

Special events, such as Champagne balloon flights, have been woven around this special wine; it gives the balloon flyer a different high to sip the bubbly while floating in the clouds and a with lush scenery under the feet!

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