Champagne is a luxury sparkling wine originating from the Champagne region of Northern France. Wine is only allowed to be called Champagne if it was produced in this region using the highly controlled traditional method of producing the bubbles within the wine. Champagne now comes in many forms from dry to ‘sec' (meaning sweet) and ‘rose' or pink champagne.
Those familiar to champagne will recognise the standard bottle size which holds 750 ml of champagne. However, there are actually many different sizes of champagne bottle available with each having their own special name.
The most popular size is obviously the standard, then comes the next larger bottle which holds the equivalent to two standard bottles. This bottle is called a Magnum and holds 1.478 litres of champagne. Larger than this, there is the Jeroboam which holds the equivalent of 4 standard sized bottles approximately 2.956 litres.
Going up in size further is the Rehoboam which holds the equivalent to 6 bottles, the Methuselah being equivalent to 8 bottles, the Salmanazar equivalent to 12 bottles and the Balthazar which is equivalent to 16 standard bottles of champagne. The very difficult to pronounce Nebuchadnezzar bottle contains 14 litres of champagne and is equivalent to 20 standard bottles, the Melchior is the name given to the bottle holding the equivalent of 24 bottles and the Sovereign holds an incredible 23 litres of champagne, equivalent to around 34 standard size bottles.
The largest recognised champagne bottle is known as the Melchizedek, which holds the equivalent to 40 standard bottles of champagne and when available, priced well in excess of £4,000.
However, understandably severe caution must be taken when handling and opening a bottle of this size due to the combination of sheer weight, and excessive amount of pressure built up within the bottle. As these larger bottles are usually filled with champagne fermented within standard or magnum sized bottles, manufacturers also state that filling a bottle this size may be detrimental to its taste.

These bottles, although extremely impressive, may be seen as slightly eccentric and are usually a strict collector's item. There are however many smaller bottles which are more affordable and suitable for both parties and gifts. Nowadays, a trend for personalised champagne has also been made apparent as an extra special way to celebrate an event or occasion.
 

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A question we get asked quite often is "how do i properly serve champagne?". It seems that regardless of social standings and budgetary constraints, champagne remains such a staple of celebration that many feel it almost mandatory to serve at least one glass of good champagne to each of your guests.

So what to do if you decide to splash out on a decent bottle of bubbly? 
We've put together these secret insider tips to help you look like a seasoned champagne expert.


1. The Champagne glass…

We’re all familiar with the traditional champagne flute, but they can be somewhat limited when it comes to future use so don't be scared to opt for a more elegant and versatile tulip shaped glass instead. Yes, the specific design of the champagne flute helps to contain the bubbles for a longer period of time etc etc, but their remaining life behind doors is a little unfair.


2. The Big Chill…

The ideal temperature for serving a good champagne is between 8°c and 10°c, achievable by standing the bottle in an ice bucket for twenty to thirty minutes or refrigerating for three to four hours. Again, you can be creative here and declare all sorts of shenanigans when it comes to selecting the ideal 'ice bucket'.
 

3. Once you pop…

Drowning ones Brioni sleeve is unacceptable at the best of times and as the aim here is to serve the champagne in the glasses rather than sucked from clothing and dripping fringes, opening the bottle properly is key. To do this simply (and gently) remove the foil and hold the bottle at an angle of 45º with your thumb over the cork. Slowly twist the bottle allowing the cork to ease its way out.
 

4. Take It Easy…

You may well have a lot of glasses to fill but don’t just pour away with reckless abandon…..pour just an inch or so of champagne into each glass and allow the bubbles to settle for a few seconds before topping slowly and preventing wasteful overflow.

5. Feed The Imagination

As you top up each persons glass, only fill to a centimetre or so from the top. Then, confidently inform your guests this is to allow them to appreciate the aromas of the champagne as they sip without getting bubbles up their nose; which is true to an extent, but secretly will be saving you around a sixth of a serving per glass. You can then allow yourself a congratulatory smirk as you serve that sixth guest what is now effectively a free glass of lovely bubbly.

6. Enjoy

Because most importantly, thats what good champagne is for.
 

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Which champagne should I buy?

If you're serving at a party or business function, a Brut Champagne is the perfect choice. These taste slightly dry and have no real sweetness to them and are often associated with the traditional champagne taste.
 

How much should i spend on a good champagne?

Our advice here is simple,  only spend what your budget will allow, and not a penny more. Unless your buying rare vintage champagnes purely for investment, there really is no significant difference between the different vintages (such as 1995), certainly not a difference worth paying an extra £100+ per bottle for!
 

How much do i need for a party?

Depending on the event you should aim for one, possibly two glasses per person. A standard 75cl bottle will serve around 6 gasses per bottle and a 1.5 litre Magnum will serve around 12 glasses.
 

Vintage or Non-Vintage?

Vintage years are more expensive because they represent a particularly good year for an individual grape, with the added rarity of particular vintages, these fine wines can become extremely expensive. Non-Vintage champagnes (NV) are generally a combination of grapes from various years but are still considered delicious champagnes.
 

Champagne types

Blanc de blanc

Meaning 'white from white' is a white champagne made from the Chardonnay white grape offering a light, dry taste.

Blanc de noir
Meaning 'white from black' is a white champagne but make from the black grapes Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. These have a fuller bodied taste with a deep yellow-gold colour.

Rosé (pink) champagne

Rosé (commonly known as pink champagne) is produced by either the addition of Pinot Noir to the base wine or pressing the grape skins prior to the fermentation process.

Champagnes are also commonly referred to by their level of added sugar:


    •    Ultra Brut/Extra Brut/Brut Zero/Brut Nature/Brut Sauvage: Totally dry – No added sugar

    •    Brut:  Should taste dry with no perception of sweetness. (Contains no more than 1.5% sugar.)

    •    Extra Dry/Extra Sec:  Off dry – tastes slightly sweet. (Can contain up to 2% sugar.)

    •    Sec:  Translates in to ‘dry’ – Noticeably sweet. (Can contain up to 3.5% sugar.)

    •    Demi-Sec:  Sweet. (Can contain up to 3.3% – 5% sugar.)

    •    Doux:  Sugary Sweet. (Can contain up to 10% sugar.)

Although the residual sugar levels noted above are the common market standards, adherence is voluntary.

A few more basic items to note about champagne:
    •    Champagne is always sparkling wine, but sparkling wine isn’t always Champagne. Only sparkling wines from the Champagne region of northern France are entitled to be called “Champagne.”
    •    Champagne is almost always produced using one (or more) of three permitted grape varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
    •    In Italy, the term Spumante is used for sparkling wines. In Spain, Cava is used for sparkling wines and in Germany they use the term Sket

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Champagne is good for your health!

If you need a good excuse to pop the cork on a bottle of bubbly this festive season, here it is: Champagne is good for your health!!
 

British academics have found that champagne is packed with polyphenols – plant chemicals thought to widen the blood vessels, easing the strain on your heart and brain. A study conducted by Reading University builds on earlier findings that two glasses of red wine a day help keep heart and circulatory problems at bay.
 

Polyphenols are believed to boost the levels of nitric oxide in the blood (which then widens the blood vessels) and are found in relatively high levels in red wine, but not in white. Champagne, however, is most commonly made from a blend of red grape varieties pinot meunier or pinot noir and white chardonnay.
 

Researcher Dr Jeremy Spencer said: 'The question was would champagne have the same impact as red wine or would it have the limited impact of white wine?' He showed that champagne had a far bigger impact on nitric oxide levels than a polyphenol-free 'dummy drink' of alcohol mixed with carbonated water.

 
Polyphenols are also found in tea, olive oil, onions, leeks, broccoli and blueberries. Dr Spencer added: 'The benefit is the same but it doesn't seem as much fun somehow.' Polyphenol is a chemical believed to have important health benefits and is most commonly found in plants such as tea, olive oil, onions, leeks, broccoli and blueberries.
 

Some evidence exists that polyphenols actually help prevent health dangers such as cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Foods high in beneficial polyphenols include red cabbage, berries, red and purple grapes, broccoli, radishes, tea and apples.

So far, there is no conclusive research on the benefits of polyphenols although health experts advise consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits, beans and vegetables.
 

Possible Cancer-Fighting Benefits

Berries – especially raspberries and strawberries, are rich in a polyphenol called ellagic acid, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, or AICR. In laboratory studies, ellagic acid prevented cancers of the bladder, lung, breast, esophagus and skin. Ellagic acid fought cancer by deactivating certain cancer-causing substances and slowing cancer cell reproduction. Grapes and grape juice, garlic and green tea are also thought to contain polyphenols that prevent certain cancers, the AICR says.

Possible Benefits to Heart Health

Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in red wine and grapes that may benefit heart health. According to MayoClinic.com, doctors agree that red wine is good for the heart, and researchers believe polyphenols are responsible for that benefit. Polyphenols are thought to reduce the buildup of fat in the blood vessels, decrease inflammation, increase HDL or good cholesterol and prevent blood clots. Doctors are hesitant to advise drinking red wine due to possible health risks from alcohol. American Family Physician reports that green tea may reduce the risk of heart disease. Pomegranate has shown some promise in treating heart disease, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC.

Possible Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Persuasive evidence exists for the anti-inflammatory effects of dietary polyphenols, according to an article by Joo-Heon Yoon and Seung Joon Baek in the October 31, 2005 Yonsei Medical Journal. Although the immune system fights infections with inflammation, excessive inflammation is detrimental. According to the authors, most diseases, including cancer, hardening of the arteries, heart attack, diabetes, asthma, allergies and arthritis, are caused by inflammation. People who eat foods rich in certain polyphenols have lower rates of inflammatory disease.
 

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