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NATIONAL CHAMPAGNE DAY DECEMBER 31st

National Champagne Day recognizes the wine that puts the pop in every New Year's Eve celebration. 

Genuine champagne only comes from France's Champagne region. French law protects where and how it is made. With some exceptions, only Champagne made according to set specifications and within the French region may label their wines using the term "Champagne."

Other foods and beverages fall under this type of protection in France and other parts of the world.

Champagne, France, is located northeast of Paris and provides the ideal temperature and soil to produce the grapes required for Champagne. French law allows only eight varieties of grapes for the production of Champagne in the Champagne region.

Primarily, the three grapes used to create Champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. 

Unlike other wines, Champagne ferments in the bottle allowing the vintner to trap the CO2 in the bottle. The bubbles give Champagne its effervescence.  

While Champagne can be spendy, if you are looking for a little pop on New Year's Eve, other varieties of sparkling wine are available from Italy, California, and even the South of France. They offer a sparkle that won't put a fizzle in your pocketbook. Then again, some New Years mean an opportunity for splurging and celebrating no matter the expense. 

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHAMPAGNE DAY

Pop open a bottle of your favorite champagne. (Remember always to drink responsibly and never drink and drive.) 

Make it extra special. Try these food pairings while you celebrate:

• Something smoky - Try smoked salmon or a dish made with smoked gouda or another favored cheese, especially if the Champaign is acidic.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth - If you're leaning toward a sparkling wine like a Moscato, berries, citrus and dainty pastries bring in the New Year quite well.
• Spice it up - Many Champagnes hold up to the heat of spicy entrees and appetizers. So celebrate all night long with these flavors.

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Champagne FAQ

Q. Who was Dom Perignon?

A. Dom Perignon was a 17th-century Benedictine monk who while serving as cellar master of the Abbey of Hautvillers, he doubled the size of the vineyard. The vineyard also flourished under his guidance. He is credited with developing standards that improved the quality of champagne wine.

Q. What kinds of celebrations could I celebrate with a bottle of champagne?

A. Some of the obvious celebrations include weddings, New Year's Eve, christening a ship, and a big promotion. Other Champagne-worthy celebrations include:

Retirement

Winning a championship

Buying a home

Opening a business

Reaching a big goal

Winning a major award

Earning a Ph.D.

Q. Does champagne go bad?

A. Yes. Champagne has a shelf-life of about 3-10 years depending on whether the champagne is vintage or non-vintage. Non-vintage champagne has a shorter shelf-life.

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