We have had many conversations over the past 26 years about the magic of champagne … the joy … the essence … the spirit. Many of them include the subject of what makes champagne different from other bubbly wines. Well, for a start, there is no such thing as ‘French Champagne’. The word ‘champagne’ already denotes that the product is ‘French’, so that’s an easy rule to remember!
Designations of origin provides clarity and transparency for consumers who know what they are buying and consuming and can distinguish a product whose value has been recognised from copies or attempted imitations with no guarantee as to their quality.
The French National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) describes the strengths of the Controlled Designation of Origin (AOC) as follows:
“An AOC area is born of an alliance between the natural environment and human ingenuity. From that alliance comes an AOC product with unique, inimitable characteristics, a product so different that it complements rather than competes with other products, possessing a particular identity that adds further value.”
But what, in fact, are we defending?
Through the Comité Champagne, the Champagne Houses and Growers work daily to defend their designation, their wine and their expertise. They are defending a heritage passed down through the generations for centuries. Jean-Marc is a Grower champagne … the toil is real in those vineyards!
“Champagne is a mythical product which forms part of France’s heritage. We have a duty to protect it so that our children can, in turn, perpetuate this unique wine”
There are several factors that make the champagne designation unique
The first is its terroir. The characteristics of the champagne terroir cannot be reproduced anywhere but in Champagne: vineyards planted on hillsides, with well-drained soils, slopes that get plenty of sunshine and carefully selected grape varieties for their resistance to the climate.
The second is the champagne makers’ skills in terms of blending, which produces balanced wines of unwavering taste and quality. Pressing of black-skinned grapes to make white wine. And, last but not least, expert control of effervescence in the wine.
The third has to do with the prestige surrounding champagne: a world-famous name that is immediately associated with partying, celebration and elegance.
Defending the Champagne designation is necessary to protect this common heritage, this terroir, these skills and this legendary name.
How has Champagne risen to such global prominence?
The history of champagne is closely intertwined with the history of France. Because the Kingdom of France was born with Clovis’ baptism in Reims (a city in the Champagne region), Champagne wine would come to be closely associated with the king, with nobility and with grand occasions.
In the late 17th century, it became sparkling, instantly winning over the court as well as the wealthy and the titled. Thanks to the extensive travels undertaken by the Champagne Houses, champagne became famous around the world among aristocratic circles: as a symbol of culture, liberal thinking and the French way of life.
Big shout out to COMITÉ CHAMPAGNE for their excellent work protecting champagne internationally and for this excellent information. For more cool champagne insights, visit https://www.champagne.fr/en
