You are What You Drink: Champagne

As I’ve mentioned before there is definitely no science in this… It’s just to link people’s wine preferences and their personalities. Time for wine, pairing with personalities…

The Feisty Sophistication: Champagne

First in First out: Let’s have a quick look at Champagne

There are many different sparkling wines produced worldwide, though “Champagne” is registered as a trademark for only the ones from the Champagne region. Thus, the other sparklings produced outside of this most northerly wine region in France cannot use this name.

Champagne, possibly the world’s most distinguished wine, has been always associated with celebration and joy. It is usually made from a blend of hand-picked grapes from various vineyards across the region. The varieties used are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Most of the Champagnes are labeled as ‘non-vintage’, varying widely in quality. Though, Champagne from a single year is designated as ‘vintage’, and is produced in lower quantities in only better years. Thus, it is much higher in quality and of course in price. Many Champagne houses also make a prestige cuvée, which can be accepted as the “peak” both in terms of quality and price.

Yet, the profiles also vary extensively: Usually a distinctive toastiness as well as some citrussy freshness. Bright, refreshing and marvelously crisp. For sure, good ones are always stylish and sophisticated with lushly fruit and bready notes.

“C’est la vie!”

Here, the sheer twitchiness meets self-indulgence. It is an unabashed need for looking, feeling and being good. A splendid hedonism. The perception of life is akin to Oscar Wilde’s Aestheticism approach, hoping between the high society “bourgeoisie” class and “bohemian” circles. Yet, people who enjoy Champagne are definitely looking for the absolute fulfillment, including enjoying life to the fullest.

Now, some key facts & figures-

Location: 120 km east of Paris, west of Alsace; along the Marne river

Weather: Continental, cool winter, sunny summer and fall

Soil type: Chalky

Vineyard Area : 35.000 Ha

Production: Around 250 million bottles per year ~ Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir

Food pairing: Oysters, Caviar, Foie gras, Smoked Salmon

Appellations:

- Champagne

- Coteaux Champenois (traditional red wine)

- Rosé des Riceys (one of the best french rosé)

Cheers!

2 Jun 2011

4 notes

“Champagne is the only drink that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it all night.” - Madame De Pompador (King Louis the XV’s mistress)
Caption: Cathedrale Notre Dame, Reims, Champagne - “The Smiling Angel”

21 May 2011

20 notes

You are What You Drink: Chardonnay (Chablis)

Of course there is no science in what we’re going to explore. It’s just based on my personal observations within the years. Though, I believe most of the time people’s wine preference exposes some clues about their personalities. This time it is just wine, pairing with personalities…

Êtes-tu un Chardonnay?

Chardonnay, one of the World’s best known white wine grape variety. The Chardonnay is also considered a Burgundian grape and has been for centuries. Thus, the village of Chablis gives its name to one of the most famous white wine in France, located at the north of the Burgundy region.

Chablis wine is floral and fruity, crisp, round and full with a significant refreshing acidity. Generally, in the nose, there are flavors of great minerality, green apple, lemon, lime blossom, sometimes pears and noticeable oak influences. In the mouth Chablis delivers aromas of lime, linden and oak influenced notes, vanilla, almond and butter. The older the Chablis, the golden turns the color with elegant spiciness.

I do believe that Chablis drinkers are more straightforward and blunt. Yet, it is the wine of people who know especially how to live their life to the fullest, thanks to its elegant, round and aromatic style.

Now, some key facts & figures-

Location: North of Burgundy, around the city Auxerre

Soil type: Clayey and Limestone