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.
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REIMS
72-HOUR
VACATION
Reims: A Taste of Champagne
A
comprehensive tour of Champagne would take
a month, but
a taste of this region can certainly
be had during a long weekend. We advise basing
your exploration of the region from Reims,
located less than two hours by car from Paris and home to numerous major Champagne houses.
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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. |
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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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