The Tapestry of Champagne

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View the entire table of contents
for the Dec. 31, 2011 - Jan. 15, 2012 issue

See Also
Champagne Alphabetical Listing
Small Champagnes Hit the Big Time
A Bounty of Bubbles
U.S. Sparkling Alphabetical Listing
The 100 Outstanding Values of 2011
The Biggest Bargains

It’s all in the details for these benchmark sparkling wines

Alison Napjus
Issue: December 31, 2011

A fine Champagne illustrates the art of blending. The chef de cave weaves together a variety of different base wines-hundreds in some cases-to produce the final bottling. Each base wine has its own strength and character, yet the finished product is seamlessly integrated. Champagne's beauty is truly not skin-deep. This is the tapestry of Champagne: individuals dedicated as a group to preserving the region's traditions and honoring its past, while also ensuring Champagne's success well into the future.

For the full article, check out the new issue of Wine Spectator, on newsstands December 6, 2011.

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