Background
On the hills of the present Champagne grapevinebegan to grow ancient Romans. They made the first sparkling wine. Much later, in the 17th century, the Benedictine monk Pierre Perignon again discovered that in a bottle, secondary fermentation occurs under certain conditions, and the sparkling qualities of the wine persist.
Nowadays, when asked which champagne is better, most of the inhabitants of the planet will answer - "Dom Perignon". This is the most famous sparkling wine in the world.
Nostalgically, we are more familiar to us "Sovietchampagne". The history of this brand, no doubt, is amazing and unique. In 1945, when no one doubted the soon victorious end of the war, Beria was summoned to the leader for a carpet. Stalin told him that the Soviet people should celebrate the day of such victory only with champagne. Beria did not argue with the leader, although, of course, there was no sparkling wine in the ruined country. Which Russian champagne is better? Such a question did not even stand.
From everywhere, Beria gathered specialists-winemakers.The task is to create our own champagne in the shortest possible time, in quality not inferior to French. And a miracle happened - less than two months - "Soviet champagne" was born. Our masters used the invention of the remarkable winemaker A.M. Frolova-Bagreeva. Shortly before the war, he invented an accelerated technology for champagne. It consists in that in special units at increased pressure, repeated fermentation of wine occurs faster by a factor of 30, when compared with conventional bottling. Which champagne is better?
"Soviet champagne" is sweeter than French.Our "dry" corresponds to the French "semi-sweet", but it can compete with the best brands of French sparkling wines in quality. In accordance with international agreements and conventions, we have the right to call our sparkling wine "Soviet champagne". And yet, what's the best champagne? It depends on many factors.
French champagne in quality is divided into three types:
- Champagne without year on the label, and the name only states the level of sugar content in wine - (sec) dry, semi-dry (demi-sec), semisweet (demi-doux) sweet (doux).
- Vintage champagne with a year on the label is made in successful years from the wine material of the same crop.
- And, finally, the prestigious champagne from the veryThe best grapes with a particularly careful adherence to technology. It is not only marked with a year, but also has its own name, for example, the famous "Clicquot". Which champagne is better? The question is rhetorical. The answer to it is obvious. You can only talk about the best price-quality ratio.
Champagne is not red.In addition to white, it can be pink, but it accounts for only 1% of the total volume of production. The finest champagne is made from Chardonnay grapes. On the label you can find the inscription Blanc de Blancs (in translation "white from white"). Stronger wine is given by the black varieties Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. On the label - Blanc de Noirs ("white from black"). The absence of such inscriptions means that both white and black grades are used in the production.
Which champagne is better in sugar content? Experts prefer brut, in which after secondary fermentation sugar is not added.
Going to the store for champagne should be taken into account,that sparkling wine is a seasonal product. That is, before the New Year it is simply swept off the shelves. No one here thinks what champagne is better - you have to meet the demand! In Russia they take anything, if only it would be like champagne. Best in advance, a month two or three before the holiday to buy at least a foreign, although "Soviet Champagne", to arrange a bottle lying on the bottom shelf in the refrigerator. It will only get better - it will mature. The remnants of yeast will leave. Having opened at the right time such a bottle of champagne, you will rejoice at its delicate taste and delicate aroma.
