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As holiday cocktail parties quickly approach, you may want to learn
a few facts about the bubbly you’ll be offered. Armed with this
knowledge, you can impress your co-workers, friends and family during
this festive season.
Wine drinking was forever changed during the late 1600s when Dom
Perignon, the Benedictine monk and cellar master for the Abbey of
Hautvilliers, accidentally discovered the use of the cork as a way
to keep carbon dioxide dissolved in wine. Carbon dioxide, a bi-product
of secondary fermentation, is what produces bubbles in champagne
and sparkling wines. After tasting his new creation, Dom Perignon
exclaimed, “tonight the stars fell upon me”. Since that time the
entire world has reveled in his discovery.
Napoleon, too, was a lover of champagne, for the sound of the popping
corks reminded him of the sounds of his cannons.
In champagne, only three grape varieties are permitted to be cultivated,
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. The exact blending of
these grapes varies among the many wine makers who strive to create
a distinctive and consistent style. Light bodied champagnes are
typical of brands such as Tattinger, Billicart-Salmon, Pommery,
and Perrier-Jouet. The famous champagnes of Moet & Chandon,
Pol Roger, and Laurant Perrier can be described as medium bodied.
Examples of champagnes that are considered to have a full body are
Veuve Clicquot, Bollinger, Krug, and Roederer.
Although true “champagne” must come from the Champagne region of
France, the style has been imitated all over the wine growing areas
of the world. “Sparkling wine” produced in the United States, “Spumante”
from Italy, “Cava” from Spain, “Seckt” from Germany, and “Vin Mousseau
or Cremant” from France are all variations of bubbly.
Many American sparkling wines have received critical acclaim. They
include Schramsberg, Domaine Chandon, Domain Carneros, Roederer
Estate, Iron Horse, Ste. Michele, and Jordan’ “J”. All of these
are nice choices for the holiday season.
As you can see, “bubbles” come in all styles and prices. Just remember
that Brut is the driest, with Extra-Dry, Dry, Semi-Dry, and Sweet
becoming progressively sweeter. Regardless of its country of origin
or level of sweetness, bubbly is meant to be sipped from a flute-shaped
glass. In any form, champagne or sparkling wine will brighten a
holiday celebration.
--A Votre Sante, Salute, L’Chaim !
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