| One of the hallmarks of any festive occasion is the | | | | be a lovely choice for a pink themed wedding |
| popping of Champagne corks. There is something | | | | celebration. |
| about this sparkling wine from France that has | | | | Another thing to know about Champagne is how |
| always been associated with good times and living | | | | sweet is is. The different types (from driest, or least |
| the high life. For brides and grooms trying to decide | | | | sweet) are: brut natural, extra brut, brut, extra sec, |
| how to include Champagne in their own celebration, | | | | sec, demi-sec, and doux, the sweetest. The |
| here is a basic primer. | | | | difference depends on how much sugar is added. |
| The first thing that many people do not realize is that | | | | The earlier Champagnes tended to be quite sweet, |
| true Champagne comes only from the region of | | | | but today the most popular is brut. If you are unsure |
| France of the same name. Anything else is a sparkling | | | | about which to choose, that is a safe bet. Many |
| wine, but is not truly Champagne. Champagne was | | | | people find the sweeter Champagnes to be too |
| created hundreds of years ago in France, and gets | | | | cloying. |
| its bubbly nature from a process of second | | | | Most Champagnes are non-vintage, meaning that |
| fermentation. It was first enjoyed by royalty, thus | | | | they were made by combining grapes from different |
| the association of Champagne with being luxurious. | | | | years. Vintage Champagne, on the other hand, is |
| There is nothing quite like sipping a fine glass of the | | | | created when at least 85% of the grapes used are |
| bubbly, while all decked out in a fabulous bridal gown | | | | from the same year. This is done in cases of a |
| and crystal bridal jewelry. Between the Champagne | | | | particularly fine harvest, and results in a top quality |
| and the glamorous crystal bridal jewelry, you are sure | | | | Champagne. Vintage Champagne will be considerably |
| to feel like royalty yourself, at least for one day. | | | | more costly than non-vintage. |
| There are a number of famous French Champagne | | | | The most special Champagnes of all are the prestige |
| houses. Some of the more famous include: Taittinger, | | | | cuvée, which are the top of the line creations |
| Moet et Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Perrier-Jouet, | | | | from each brand. Some of the best known are Dom |
| to name a few. Of course when choosing a top | | | | Perignon by Moet et Chandon and Cristal by Louis |
| bottle of Champagne, you can expect to pay top | | | | Roederer. If money is no object and you truly want |
| dollar; prices start at around $40 for 750ml and can | | | | to impress your guests, by all means, pop the cork |
| run into well over $500 a bottle! If you are planning | | | | on one of these premier bottles. |
| to serve a lot of Champagne at your wedding, look | | | | For many couples, money does matter, and in that |
| into buying it by the case; you can usually find | | | | case, there are some other options available besides |
| volume discounts. | | | | Champagne. The least expensive is to serve a |
| Champagne is typically produced using a blend of | | | | sparkling wine from California instead. A mid-range |
| white Chardonnay grapes and black Pinot Noir grapes | | | | option is to serve a good bottle of the Italian |
| (though other varieties, like Pinot Meunier are also | | | | sparkling wine, Prosecco. This is a nice option if you |
| used). Rose Champagne has a little bit of red wine | | | | want to serve your guests a special treat without |
| added to create its signature pink color. That could | | | | spending too much. |