Champagne is the Queen of the wines! Champagne adds pure opulence with those luxurious bubbles produced by a secondary fermentation of the wine to effect carbonation. In true French form, it is produced exclusively within the Champagne region of France and true champagne can only come from this region. All others are considered sparkling wines.
The most common grape varieties used in champagnes are the white chardonnay, the dark-skinned “red wine grapes” pinot noir, and pinot meunierr. Occasionally small amounts of pinot blanc, pinot gris, arbane, and petit meslier are used as well.
Associated with opulence and luxury, champagne is used for celebrations all over the world. Even though Dom Perignon did not invent champagne (it has a documented history before him), he did develop many advances in the production of this beverage.
Champagne ranges in color, taste, sweetness, and cost. It pairs well with cheese, duck, lobster, caviar, and fried chicken. Champagnes are more costly to produce than other wines, hence their more expensive price tag. Remember, many times you get what you pay for. If you do not have a refined expert palate, then stay away from the ultra expensive champagnes. $50-100 will buy an excellent bottle and impress your guests.