Champagne for the Holidays: Special Occasions Call for Bubbly

Champagne, has tiny little bubbles that seem to add effervescence to any personality and to make the whole world more giddy, at least temporarily.

Champagne got it's start accidentally. In the Champagne region some shifts in temperatures in the 1400's caused as excessive amount of carbon dioxide in the wine, causing bubbles. French royalty was repulsed by the wines coming from the Champagne region, and the Burgundy region of France picked up nearly of of Champagne's market share. In the 1600's The Catholic church sent in a specialist to help recoup its investment in the failing vineyards. The specialist's name was Dom Perignon.

Dom Perignon's orders were to find the way to decrease the bubbles in the wine. A shift in fashion came when English royalty declared that the bubbly wine was good. Champagne then became popular in England and France.

Champagnes are made from one of three different grape types: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Blanc de blanc champagnes are made from all white grapes (Chardonnay) and are elegant and fine. Blanc de noirs is produced exclusively from black grapes (Pinot Noir / Pinot Meunier). Blanc de noir is concentrated with strong fruit flavors. If the champagne is not described as either blanc de blanc or blanc de noir, it is most probably a combination of All three grapes.

Rose champagne is made by blending in a little red wine, so it is not made entirely of the champagne grapes.

There are different sugar contents in champagne. The bottles are classified on the label, so you can determine sweetness.

Extra Brut, very dry (0-6 grams of sugar)
Brut, Dry (5-15 grams of sugar)
Extra Dry, Off Dry (12-20 grams of sugar)
Sec or Dry, slightly sweet (17-35 grams of sugar)
Demi-Sec, Medium Sweet (33-50 grams of sugar)
Sweet or Doux, dessert (more than 50 grams of sugar)

The most popular of these classifications is Brut.. Brut works well with most food and desserts.

Here are some well known brands of champagne in different price categories, The prices will vary by vintage, so the vintage you find in your local store will be different. The prices are only approximate. I looked up local prices, but there is a lot of variation depending upon vintage.

Cristal, by Louis Roederer: Cristal champagne was created in 1876 especially for the Tsar of Russia. Tsar Alexander was displeased to find that the champagne served at his table was indistinguishable for the champagne served at the homes of his courtiers. Louis Roederer commissioned a master Flemish glassmaker to design a new, unique crystal glass bottle. The crystal bottle was so solidly constructed that it could be made with a flat bottom. This was how Cristal was born. Cristal was the first prestige vintage in the world of Champagne. From that time forward the wines reserved for the Tsar were delivered in precious crystal bottles bearing the imperial coat of arms. Approximately $225.00

Dom Perignon, France: Dom Perignon is legendary champagne. Dom Perignon invented champagne in 1693. Dom Perignon Champagne continues to be one of the best champagnes in the world. $125.00

Bollinger, France. Bollinger was founded in 1829 and continues to be a family owned Grande Marque house. $45.00 -$115.00

Piper Heidsieck, France: Florens-Louis Heidseick was the son of a Lutheran minister from Westphalia. He started making his own wine in 1780 and founded his own house in 1785. He even dedicated one of his wines to Queen Marie-Antoinette, and was granted the honor of presenting to the Queen in person.$30.00

Moet & Chandon, France: Moet and Chandon was founded in 1743 and has a long illustrious history as a fine champagne. $25.00

Mumm's, France: Mumm's Champagne was founded in 1879 in Franc. $20.00

Korbel, California: Korbel was established in 1882 and has been part of America's greatest celebrations fro more than 120 year. It has been the exclusive champagne of the past five presidential inaugurations and was the champagne of choice during the Camelot years of the Kennedy administration. $10.00

Champagne has a long and illustrious history of being a celebratory drink. The effervescent bubbles make is fun to drink. Champagne, in moderation, can make a festive celebration even more festive.

Champagne is also a romantic drink, being associated with Valentine's Day, Anniversaries, and romantic dinners for two.

Whether you are looking for champagne for a party or for an intimate dinner and evening, champagne can help to make the evening more celebratory. Enjoy the light effervescent taste and the fizzy bubbles.

Champagne taste so good, and is so light and fizzy that you may be tempted to drink it all night. If you have ever had a champagne headache you will know what this is not a good idea. Drink the bubbly in moderation, and enjoy it. If traveling, make sure to have a designated driver for everybody's safety.

Whatever the holiday. Enjoy.