Why is champagne unique in the world ?
The world of wine is populated by sparkling wines, from Spanish cava to Italian prosecco or German sekt, yet champagne remains apart, unique, inimitable. Champagne remains synonymous with luxury, celebration and pleasure, an aura jealously protected and maintained by the great houses which spend lavishly to maintain the myth.
A singular story
Champagne wine has only been sparkling for 300 years, before this effervescence for which it is predisposed was considered a failure. Yet it is this downgraded wine that will become the most famous wine in the world, the one that is invited to every celebration, every event, every great moment. A story made of tumults, and which will intersect several times with the great history of France, inviting itself to the King's court, or becoming a sought-after prize during the German occupation.
A unique terroir
Champagne is an addition of special conditions. A unique terroir, with a mixture of limestone layers, clay layers or sandy areas, but also a unique climate, a continental type climate with relatively harsh winters, and hot summers, but not scorching. An appellation area delimited by law and which will soon be enlarged in order to produce a few more bottles, and always better manage the relationship between supply and demand.
The Champagne method
The production method is also a key factor and a sign of the originality of this wine. It is the possibility of blending the wines of several different years to obtain a house style and regularity in the Brut Sans Years. But it also involves the right to add red wine to white wine to obtain rosé champagne, again this is a unique case in the world. Finally, and perhaps above all, the Champagne method is characterized by highly supervised winemaking practices. From pressing to bottling, champagne is fully codified.
An overprotected appellation
The value of the Champagne appellation lies in its strict protection throughout the world. The CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel des Vins de Champagne) fights against usurpations with rare severity, and even manages to involve the government in this fight against counterfeiting by signing international or bilateral agreements with other nations. The second axis deployed to maintain the prestige of the appellation relates more to marketing and sponsorship. The big houses are competing for ideas and initiatives to make this wine the symbol of luxury, celebration and elegance.
A land of tourism
Champagne is a region which is experiencing strong growth in wine tourism. The great houses and winegrowers are offering more and more formulas including a stay in champagne and an initiation to the tasting of the most famous of sparkling wines. Thus the famous Anselme Selosse, probably the most important winegrower in the region, opened a hotel and a restaurant to welcome amateurs eager to taste his cuvées. Maison Veuve Clicquot has completely renovated the Hôtel du Marc in Reims, a superb private mansion to welcome its distinguished guests. Finally, the last example, Maison Coulon has opened a magnificent guest house and offers introductory activities in the blending of Champagne wines.