Champagne

Protected origin – the fine sparkling wine can only come from the Champagne region

Champagne is one of the most exclusive beverages in the world. Not only because of its distinctive taste, but also because the production and the winemaking are strictly controlled: 

• Restricted growing area: Champagne is allowed to be produced exclusively within the approximately 34,000 hectares of the Champagne region.
• Prescribed grape varieties: Only three varieties of grapes may be used for producing Champagne: pinot noir, pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
• Manual grape harvest: The grapes for Champagne have to be picked by hand and pressed immediately. 
• Fermentation in the bottle: Champagne ferments in the bottle in a complex process and is aged after fermentation for at least 15 months.

Elaborate winemaking process according to the “méthode champenoise”

In this process of making Champagne, the grapes are fermented to form a base wine using the same method as for making white wine. Usually, several base wines are blended and bottled, and then sugar and yeast is added for secondary fermentation. The fermentation process is completed after around three weeks, after which the Champagne then continues to age in the bottle. Before being sold, the bottles are carefully riddled over weeks to collect the yeast sediment in the neck of the bottle. Finally, the yeast is removed, and the Champagne is bottled and corked. Visit the Heinemann shop and take a look at the Heinemann Special Offers to see for yourself the outstanding results of this lengthy process – with fine blanc de blancs, brut and rosé Champagnes.

Is that correct? The most important questions related to Champagne

• Does Champagne pair well with food?
  Champagne is popular as a sparkling aperitif. However, its fine aroma also goes wonderfully well with fish and seafood dishes, and a rosé Champagne such as the Bollinger brut rosé is a good accompaniment to venison and cheese. 

• Does a spoon in the neck of a Champagne bottle prevent the carbon dioxide from escaping?
  It has been scientifically proven that the popular trick with the silver spoon does not work. It is best to close the opened Champagne bottle with an appropriate stopper and consume the Champagne within two days.

• Is the magnum bottle better than the standard bottle?
  Magnum Champagne bottles have a larger volume than standard bottles, but the same narrow bottle-neck. Therefore, magnum bottles contain proportionally less carbon dioxide, meaning this Champagne ages more slowly.

Enjoy the special moments – with Champagnes from the Heinemann shop

Indulge yourself and your loved ones with a special Champagne – neat and chilled, or mixed in a legendary bellini or french 75. A brut from Lanson, a fresh blanc de blancs from Louis Roederer, or a luxurious magnum bottle from Veuve Cliquot; Heinemann delivers your order on the desired date to the German address of your choice, or keeps it ready for you to pick it up in the Heinemann shop at your airport on your flight date.