Abstract

From the smash of a bottle on the side of a new ship to the pop of the cork at a New Year’s Eve party champagne signals celebration, fun, and camaraderie all over the world. Bubbly, as we affectionately call it, is a symbol of luxury and decadence and the go-to drink whenever there is an important toast. This history from Becky Sue Epstein is a celebration of the world’s most celebratory drink.   Here, Epstein chronicles champagne’s story, from the world’s first sparkling wine, produced in Limoux, Languedoc, in 1531 by monks at an abbey in Saint-Hilaire to the celebrities who made champagnes famous and continue to do so today— from Dom Perignon to the widow Veuve Cliquot. Most important, Epstein fully explains the distinction between champagne and sparkling wine. In this informative chronicle, she answers whether French champagne is really better than other sparkling wines and elucidates the science behind that characteristic fizz and bubble. She takes the reader on a tour of vineyards in wine regions around the world and teaches the correct techniques for storing and serving champagne and sparkling wines.   Whether you prefer magnums of Cristal or the affordable thrill of Cold Duck, Champagne is an invaluable complement to any bubbly glass and an informative, elegant gift for connoisseurs, beginners, and wine lovers of all kinds.
“A fun, smartly written series appropriate for a popular audience that likes to eat . . . the Edible series books provide level-headed and enjoyable overviews of food culture . . . These will create a little library that any foodie will be proud to show off . . . aesthetically pleasing volumes with decent content that would make good presents.” —Winterthur Portfolio, on the Edible series — Winterthur Portfolio

“This short volume, wittily illustrated and beautifully designed, is a pleasure both to look at and to consume. Which, given the subject matter, seems fitting.”

“Champagne is an invaluable complement to a glass of bubbly as well as an informative, elegant gift for all wine lovers.”

“An entertaining look at the world’s most celebratory beverage. Pop a cork and enjoy a flûte of our favorite bubbly while brushing up on champagne lore.”

“With the holidays around the corner, now might be a good time to brush up on your Champagne facts. Epstein’s book, slim and elegant like a flute of sparkling wine, is brimming with information, from the essential—the evolution of Champagne—to the esoteric.—PalatePress.com

Becky Sue Epstein is a journalist, broadcaster, and consultant in the fields of wine, spirits, food, and travel. She is based in New England.