Champagne

The vineyards of the Champagne region in France produce one of the most coveted of wines. The bubbly, sparkling wines that are grown in the chalky, limestone rich soil of this area are allowed to use the name "Champagne" and no sparkling wine from another area can claim that prestigious designation.Deciding which of the well known names to buy for your party or special occasion is much easier if you know a little about the wine and its history. How the grape vines that began growing in this region over a million years ago were brought to perfection as Champagne makes for a great story.However, the real interest is drinking the results. The best way to decide which Champagne label to choose is to check with the experts, and you'll find a few of them offering their opinions here. A glass of Champagne never tastes as wonderful as it does when you sip it in the tasting rooms of one of the great Champagne Houses. If you are planning a trip to France, the Champagne region is a short, and very pretty, train ride from Paris. Whether you visit Mumm, Moët & Chandon, Roederer, Taittinger or any of the Champagne Houses, a tour is fascinating and the tasting at the end is guaranteed to present you with several of the top champagnes. The villages of the Champagne region also have magnificent architecture and delicious food to enjoy - as you sip. A tour of the wine cellars and an in-house tasting will save you from the fate of Lord Keynes, whose dying words were...