However, wines from all over the world are produced in exactly the same way and instead are labeled as sparkling wine, produced via the méthode traditionnelle. This method is controlled and restricted within the European Union, so that wines from outside the Champagne region cannot be described as Champagne. Narrator: Authentic Champagne is produced via the méthode champenoise, where the wine undergoes a primary fermentation in oak or stainless-steel vats and a secondary fermentation inside the bottle. Champagne is clay and chalk, this is really the best quality in terms of soil". This is where, historically, we have the best structure of the soil. When it's raining, the water never stops. To be on the hill, it's a really good for the exposition the sun is always going on the vines, all the day. It's important to select only the best grapes, especially because of the heterogeneity of each different plot and each different vine. Narrator: During harvest, 120,000 workers descend on Champagne to pick grapes from 84,000 acres of vines.Īurèlien Laherte: "It's harvested by hand, because the machines are forbidden by law. The grapes are harvested at the peak of their ripeness - that's a really important factor - and then the alcoholic fermentation process will give you a white wine or many - a variety of white wines". Obviously, it's also about the production process, which has been shaped and improved over the course of time - we're talking about over two centuries. However, an often-freezing continental weather front makes the winemaking process more difficult than other dependable ecosystems.įabrice Rosset: "What distinguishes Champagne as being unique is mostly a question of its geography, as well as climatic conditions. With an average temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, this location is cooler than France's other wine-growing regions, which gives the grapes the right acidity for sparkling-wine production. Northern France's variable conditions are the first factor for elevated prices. Champagne sales have grown steadily since the 1950s, but its future growth depends on the protection of the region's unique climate. That's over 300 million bottles every year, with an annual revenue of over $5 billion. Which means, in this relatively small area, a little over twice the size of San Francisco, the world's entire stock of true Champagne is made. All other sparkling wines made outside of this region, even those from neighboring parts of France, must be labeled differently. About 150 kilometers east of Paris, this highly protected region of France is home to the world's most prestigious, and expensive, Champagne sellers and cellars, such as Moët & Chandon and Perrier-Jouët. But, in fact, Champagne is only true Champagne if it's made here, in Champagne. A decent-quality bottle of it can cost you anywhere from $50 to $300, and vintages can often sell for thousands.Ĭhampagne is often used as a generic term for sparkling wine. It often costs double the price of other sparkling wines, such as prosecco or cava. Narrator: Champagne is synonymous with wealth and luxury. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
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