La Champagne and le Champagne: a single letter distinguishes the province and its product, the nurturing land and its ebullient offspring. It was in the late 1600s, at the abbey of Hautvillers (a charming spot you can still visit today) that a Benedictine monk named Dom Pierre Pérignon invented the sparkling wine known as Champagne, using grape juice from vineyards that Celtic Gauls may have planted before the birth of Christ. If we had to choose just one product to symbolize France—and the lively effervescence of French wit—it would surely be le Champagne. And if a single region were to sum up the history and traditions of this complex country, no part of France could do it better than la Champagne. Read more...

NOT JUST FOOD Hautes Etudes du Goût The world of gastronomy hardly seems like a science. But one Reims institute breaks down all aspects of the epicurean lifestyle, from psychology to sociology to economics. Their four-week intensive course teaches professionals and novices alike about the science of food.

A TOAST TO THE BUBBLY Champagne Central No visit to Champagne would be complete without a toast to the drink that made this region of France world-famous. Here is our salute to the bubbly, complete with Champagne reviews, features, and lists of the best Cuvées and Bruts.

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