Celebration = Champagne, or where there is celebration, there is usually Champagne. However, it is useful to know that all Champagnes are sparkling wines, but not all sparkling wines are Champagnes :) But one thing at a time!

Origins:

The origins of sparkling wine can be traced back to Champagne. Sometimes, during the wine-making process, when fermentation had not stopped completely or had not finished completely and there were still bacteria left in the wine, they would continue the fermentation process. It was thus pure chance that such wine was produced in the first place and even reached consumers. The winemakers tried to eliminate this factor. However, it was noticed that this defect actually had the great effect of making the wine fresher. In time, winemakers tried to carry out this process specifically. The many experiments often ended in failure, with the barrels and bottles cracking. These factors led to the creation of special bottles capable of withstanding high internal pressures and a special cork, which was tied with metal wire.

Champagne:

Champagne is commonly referred to as any sparkling wine. However, wine connoisseurs know that a sparkling wine may be called Champagne if it meets three criteria:- made in Champagne, France;- made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes (Although a few other grape varieties are allowed, today mostly everyone uses these 3 grape varieties.) The use of other varieties is forbidden in Champagne - made according to the traditional method (once called Méthode Champenoise).

Champagne - what's so special about it?

Champagne's special climate and soil (chalk and limestone) are perfect for creating this unique drink.

Champagne is made using a special method that is also used elsewhere in the world. However, no one has yet been able to replicate the wine created in Champagne.

The process of making Champagne:

- First, a good white wine is made. Each variety is harvested separately and by hand. The vinification process is also done separately for each variety. It all starts with the juicing. In many places, even in the field, there are grape presses.

- The fermentation process continues for 2-3 weeks.

- Then the blending takes place - the blending of the different grapes. So Champagnes will have a hard time finding the vintage :) Each winemaker sticks to his own style of wine, so each year the base wine will be similar to the previous year's.

- Then, a second fermentation is initiated by adding a liqueur based on bacteria and sugar.

- The wine is bottled, corked and put in the cellar. Fermentation is slow. At this stage, it is important that the carbon dioxide slowly penetrates into the wine. This is the reason why, when Champagne is poured into a glass, we can see bubbles playing in it for a long time. The longer the process takes, the smaller the bubbles are and the longer they play

- After 3 months, a sediment is formed on which the wine is still held to become richer and more aromatic. At this stage, the bottle is no longer touched, not even dusted. It is the prolonged settling on the lees that gives Champagne its finesse, richness and complexity. The ageing lasts for at least 1,5-3 years

- The bottles are then placed neck down in a pipitre (a special V-shaped stand). Then the remuage - a person who comes to each bottle every day and turns it by 1/8, shaking it a little to move the sediment slowly to the cork. The remuage, as the process by hand is also called, takes 2-3 months. A good remuazer can turn 40 000 bottles a day. It should be noted that this process is now automated in many places. This does not speed up the remanufacturing process, which takes a few weeks, but only makes people's work easier.

- When the remuage is finished, the bottle stands almost upright with the cork down. The neck of the bottle is then immersed in -25C brine to remove the cork and remove the frozen, thickened sediment. Add the dosage liqueur to obtain the desired flavour of champagne, from brut to sweet champagne. The same bottle is corked with a hooped cork, may be left to 'rest', but the champagne is essentially ready to use.

And now, the best of the best - Pol Roger is one of the world's most renowned Champagne producers, a family-run business with a long tradition. Since 1849, Pol Roger Champagne has been among the top three most famous Champagne producers. Pol Roger Reserve Champagne has an exceptional style and quality, made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes. It has a charming golden colour, floral and fruity aromas, a complex, delicate and well-balanced wine.

As Winston Churchill said: ""I could not live without Champagne. In victory I deserve it, in defeat I need it."

All champagnes at eirovins.lv >>>