Champagne

CHAMPAGNE – The king is dead, long live the King?
Champagne is the most famous and prestigious sparkling wine produced.  ONLY grapes grown in the Champagne region of France are allowed; the governing rules demand, among other things, a secondary fermentation of the wine in the bottle to create carbonation amongst other specific processes. Some use the term Champagne as a generic term for sparkling wine, but in many countries, it is illegal to label any product Champagne unless it both comes from the Champagne region and is produced under the rules of the appellation.So simply put; unless it is made in Champagne from grapes grown in Champagne it is a copy. ONLY by the real thing!The primary grapes used in the production of Champagne are black Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier but also white Chardonnay. The Champagne appellation law only allows grapes grown according to appellation rules in specifically designated plots within the appellation to be used in the production of champagne. Royalty became associated with Champagne in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The leading manufacturers made efforts to associate their Champagnes with nobility and royalty through advertising and packaging, which led to popularity among the emerging middle class.