Champagne Facts for Kids

Champagne is a special word that can mean a few different things. Most often, it refers to a famous sparkling wine. This bubbly drink is known around the world for celebrations!

But "Champagne" can also mean the place where this wine is made. This area is a beautiful region in France. Long ago, it was a historical province ruled by counts. Today, it's part of a larger administrative region in France called Champagne-Ardenne.

There's even a 1928 movie called Champagne made by the famous director Alfred Hitchcock. And in other parts of the world, like Switzerland and the United States, you can find places named Champagne or Champaign, like Champaign, Illinois, and Champaign County, Illinois.

What is Champagne Wine?
- How is Champagne Made?
- Where Does Champagne Come From?
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What is Champagne Wine?

Champagne wine is a type of sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region of France. It's famous for its tiny bubbles and is often used for special occasions like weddings, birthdays, and New Year's Eve.

How is Champagne Made?

Making Champagne is a very detailed process. It's called the "traditional method" or "Champagne method." Here are the main steps:

First, winemakers pick grapes, usually Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
The grapes are pressed gently to get the juice.
This juice is fermented into a still (non-bubbly) wine.
Then, the winemakers blend different still wines together. This blend is called the "cuvée."
A small amount of sugar and yeast is added to the cuvée.
The wine is bottled and sealed. A second fermentation happens inside the bottle, creating the bubbles!
The bottles are stored horizontally in cool cellars for many months or even years. This aging process gives Champagne its unique flavors.
During aging, the bottles are slowly turned and tilted upside down. This process, called "riddling," moves the leftover yeast to the neck of the bottle.
Finally, the neck of the bottle is frozen, and the frozen plug of yeast is removed. This is called "disgorgement."
A small amount of wine and sugar (called "dosage") is added back to the bottle, and it's sealed with a special cork.

Where Does Champagne Come From?

The only sparkling wine that can truly be called "Champagne" must come from the Champagne region of France. This region is located about 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of Paris. The soil and climate in Champagne are perfect for growing the grapes needed for this special wine.

The region has a long history of winemaking. Monks were among the first to develop winemaking techniques there centuries ago.