Champagne is so much more than just bubbles in a glass. It is one of the most beautiful wine regions in France as well as one of most tightly regulated and controlled appellations in the winemaking world.
I recently visited the incredible area as a guest of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), the trade association representing all of the houses and grape growers of Champagne, and have produced a four-part column for the DC Examiner Newspaper about the place, the process and, of course, the wines.
Here is part one which defines Champagne, the place.
