The Champagne wine region is within the historical province of Champagne in the northeast of France. The area is best known for the production of the sparkling white wine that bears the region’s name.
Historically, Champagne has been characterized by the fact that is blended in every sense: a blend of grapes, a blend of vintages and a blend of regions. While this is not always the case, it is true that each of the three major grapes of Champagne contributes its own attributes to a wine; thus, by combining all three, a complete Champagne is created. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier are the primary grape variety used to make Champagne – a recipe used for sparkling wines across the world.
Most Champagne is sold without a vintage statement, making it “Non-Vintage” or NV. The main reason for this is the variability in vintages which results from the marginal climate here; by blending vintages together, the effect of a bad year is lessened. In years of exceptional quality, however, many houses release a vintage Champagne (millesimé in French) made exclusively from grapes harvested in the stated year. These are typically designed for longer bottle ageing and are made to higher quality specifications.
The French Wine Project has and continues to forge relationships with family-run vineyards to bringyou the very best wines from the region.
