You know Champagne is a sort of wine, but what is the exact definition of Champagne? And Why is it expensive?
Champagne is the name of a sparkling wine that is produced in the Champagne wine region of France. The term comes from the rules of the appellation. The champagne-making process requires specific vineyard practices, sourcing of grapes exclusively from designated places within it, specific grape-pressing methods, and secondary fermentation of the wine bottle to cause carbonation.
Along with Printerval, let’s get into the problem.
What is Champagne?
Champagne is the name of a sparkling wine that is produced in the Champagne wine region of France. The term comes from the rules of the appellation.
The champagne-making process requires specific vineyard practices, sourcing of grapes exclusively from designated places within it, specific grape-pressing methods, and secondary fermentation of the wine bottle to cause carbonation.
Three main sorts of grapes which are usually used to make Champagne are Pinot noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. In addition, other kinds of grapes such as Pinot blanc, Pinot Gris, Arbane, … are also used in making this sparkling wine.
Since the 17th century, Champagne has been associated with royalty, thanks to the efforts of manufacturers to make them associated with nobility and royalty. Its status has remained until today.
( Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champagne)
Origin of Champagne
Genuine champagne only comes from France’s Champagne region and French law protects where and how it is made. In fact, only Champagne is made according to set specifications and within the French region may label their wines using the term “Champagne.”
Champagne is an area located northeast of Paris and provides the ideal temperature and soil to produce the grapes required for Champagne. French law allows only eight varieties of grapes for the production of Champagne in the Champagne region while in the past only three grapes could be used to create Champagne including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Champagne is unique because its ferments in the bottle allowing the vintner to trap the CO2 in the bottle.
Apart from Champagne, other varieties of sparkling wine are available from Italy, California, and even the South of France.
Champagne making process
To begin with, you need to understand one thing: All Champagne can be understood as sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wines can be called Champagne.
So what is the Champenoise method?
The process of making traditional champagne begins in the same way as normal winemaking. The three grape varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier are harvested separately. The grapes are then pressed separately in the machine.
For two red grape varieties Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, when pressed for juice, the grape skin is immediately separated from the grape juice. This ensures that the juice being pressed is not affected by the color of the grape skins.
Continue the aging process of grape juice in stainless steel tanks. The amount of sugar in grape juice will gradually convert to alcohol and CO2, to produce three distinct background wines.
The next process will be different from the normal winemaking process. Three separate bottles of background wine begin to be re-mixed in certain proportions according to the producer's intent. Then continue to add to this mixture a sufficient amount of Tirage for the second fermentation to take place in the bottle. Tirage is a liquid mixture of yeast, base wine, and sugar.
The fermentation process in the bottle continues to produce alcohol and C02 gas. However, at this time, the amount of C02 gas will be trapped in the bottle without being released. Fermentation in this bottle continues for at least 15 months.
During this process, the Champagne bottles need to be rotated with their heads down. This is called riding. This action is to move the residue in the bottle (the residue of dead yeast in the bottle) down to the top of the bottle. Then, the mouth of the bottle is dipped in a refrigerant solution to freeze the neck of the bottle. The excess residue will then slip out of the mouth of the bottle when the cap is opened.
After that, the manufacturer continues to add the dosage mixture to the bottle according to the desired ratio. Dosage is a mixture of wine and sugar that is added to give champagne more flavor. Finally, the bottle, label, and final product.
Above is the process of making Champagne and you should remember this important thing. To be called champagne, it must definitely have two factors:
Produced in the Champagne region, in the North of France.
Must be made according to the traditional Champenoise method – second fermentation in the bottle.
Where does Champagne's foam come from?
After allowing the base wine to ferment a second time inside each bottle, CO2 is released. The carbon dioxide trapped in the bottle can't get out, lurking into the alcohol, creating a pretty strong pressure. And when you uncork the wine, the C02 gas will escape and you will see the beautiful sparkling bubbles of Champagne.
What is the difference between Champagne and Prosecco?
Sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France is called Champagne. The wine is made from three grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, according to the Champenoise method.
Meanwhile, sparkling wine from Italy is called Prosecco. The wine is made from 100% Glera grapes, according to the Charmat method.
Why is National Champagne Day observed?
For its noble status and the above special features, Champagne is observed every year on December 31, the same as New Year’s Eve. It is really a perfect day to observe because everyone will all be making a New Year’s Eve toast with champagne.
How to celebrate National Champagne Day?
There are a lot of ideas to observe National Champagne Day such as popping a bottle, diving into Champagne books, learning how to saber a bottle open, ...
In addition, wearing or using items with National Champagne Day has been a popular way of celebration recently thanks to the development of fashion and printing technology. With these custom items, you will have a sense of belonging when enjoying the atmosphere of the day, along with others. Also, you will feel special and excited by utilizing these items.
If you are looking for unique and trendy National Champagne Day products, Printerval is an ideal shop for you to choose from. With attractive prices and excellent quality, the shop is trusted by millions of customers from all around the world.
Printerval also provides you with products that are updated every single day, based on the year’s holidays in terms of designs and printing artworks.
