Aside from the effervescent bubbles, pear, cream and vanilla finish, part of what makes champagne so special and exclusive is the craftsmanship required to produce the tipple reserved for celebrations.
Lovers of champagne can learn about the heritage of France’s iconic drink at one of the country's grape harvest festivals, like the Fete des Vendanges du Massif de Saint Thierry, which this year takes place in Thil October 11 - 12.
The annual grape festival pays homage to old-style harvesting and showcases old-school pressing and vine techniques.
The festival could be described as a trip back in time, with barreling demonstrations, horse-drawn carriage rides and traditional French folk music to serenade visitors.
The Fete des Saveurs et du Terroir Champenois in Marne is also dedicated to the flavors and terroir of France’s favorite drink, and is held on the third week in October.
Visitors can participate in champagne tasting tours, meet local winegrowers, and learn the ins and outs of champagne production.
To carry the ‘Champagne’ label, it can only use a combination of three grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and have a minimum storage period of 15 months prior to shipping. The winery must also have a dedicated champagne wine-making and storage premise.
The champagne region in France lies about 150 km east of Paris, and is spread across 320 villages.
The four growing areas of the Montagne de Reims, the Vallee de la Marne, Cote des Blancs and the Cote des Bars encompass nearly 278,000 plots of vines.
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