Kevin Brauch, host of The Thristy Traveler, drinks champagne on a wall overlooking the French countryside.

Champagne Know-How

• The "cellar master" is the architect of the winemaking process and the person responsible for the style of the house.
  
• Much of the finest clear champagne in the world comes from red grapes. Only three types of grapes are used to make champagne: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
  
• The largest bottle of champagne that you can buy is called a Nebuchadnezzar, which holds 20 full bottles.
  
• In the bottle, champagne is under at least 80 pounds of pressure per square inch, more than 2-1/2 times the pressure in a car tire.
  
• The ideal shape for a champagne glass is that of a tulip, which allows the bubbles space to form and rise to the surface.

• Pour the champagne so that the glass is only half full.
  
• Observe the various color, shades and bubbles.
  
• Inhale the champagne's bouquet, slowly and at length a few times. The aromas in champagne can be divided into five categories, evoking flowers, fruits, vegetables, dried fruit or indulgent delicacies like hot rolls, vanilla and spices.
  
• Finally, taste the wine. Keep it in your mouth for a few seconds. You will not only find the aromas you have identified with your nose but you will also uncover the true nature of your champagne, smooth or full-bodied, delicate or complex.
  
• For sampling or enjoying for dessert, buy a half-bottle. It's less expensive, and you won't waste any as champagne will not keep.

Drappier Champagne, Reims, France
Phone: 03 25 27 40 15
Email: infos@champagne-drappier.com
http://www.champagne-drappier.com

Pommery Champagne, Reims, France
www.pommery.com

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Recipes featured in this episode are listed below.