Champagne (Classic wine collection) [Paperback]

Maggie McNie (Author)

Book Description

Series: Classic wine collection | Publication Date: October 2000

This fascinating book covers all aspects of Champagne: the region, the history of the wine, and the development of the Champagne method. It documents Champagne's beginnings as a still wine and, through the appointment of a young monk, Dom Pierre Perignon, as cellarer at the Abbey of Hautvillers, its evolution into the sparkling wine that we know today. Maggie McNie also offers an overview of the various Champagne makers, from the small growers to the great houses, and includes useful notes on the vintages for each year since 1945. In all, she provides Champagne lovers with the information they need in order to fully appreciate -- and enjoy -- this unique wine.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Maggie McNie is a wine consultant who specializes in Champagne. She lives in Beckenham, Kent, England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571174698
• ISBN-13: 978-0571174690
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #481,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Wine > Champagne

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Reference on Champagne, October 26, 2000

By 

Lisa Shea "medieval swordfighting enthusiast" - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Champagne (Classic wine collection) (Paperback)

While there are many books about Champagne and sparkling wines in general, describing the bubbles and colors, there are very few that go into the history and background of this most famous celebratory drink. That's where "Champagne" comes in!

This book begins with the geology of the Champagne region, located northeast of Paris. It describes the chalk beds and limestone that forms the basis of the soil, and how these conditions are perfect for the grapes that make up Champagne.

Next, "Champagne" goes into the early history of the region, describing the various groups that fought over the soil, explaining how the conversion to Christianity of its early holders led to foundations of monastaries. These monastaries becames the curators of the vineyards, developing vineyard techniques and blending systems.

The important developments necessary for a sparkling wine are covered - the thicker bottles, the cork to seal the bottle, and of course Dom Perignon, the blind monk whose keen palate and in depth knowledge led to the beginning of a reputation for this region.

The laws over the years are covered in depth, with histories of the regulations given. The book describes purning systems and vineyard techniques, explaining how the grapes are grown. It lists the famous "Champagne widows" who furthered the cause of many wineries here.

The appendices list the members of the Union of Wine Producers, gives the Bollinger Charter of ethics and Quality, describes the seven orders in Champagne, provides a vintage chart, and gives a full list of all premiere crus.

This would definitely be the book for someone who has already gone through the "introduction to Champagne" books, and now wants an in depth history of the region, its geology, its policital background and legislative situations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, August 28, 2005

By 

Melchizedec "Melchizedec" (Brussels, Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Champagne (Paperback)

Great book, lots of information on 'le' and 'la' Champagne! For me, it lost one star as 'The Makers' overview is not that comprehensive and consistent as the one in Stevenson's encyclopedia. However, this book is certainly a 'strong buy' - let the bubbles go!

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Prost Maggie!, February 6, 2000

By 

Michel White "grapeseek" (Merklingen, Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Champagne (Faber Books on Wine) (Hardcover)

As the owner of grapeseek.com I'm pleased to give this book the two thumbs up! It's a delightful book...and the only one I'll ever need in reference to champagne and the Champagne region of France. It contains maps, lists of the wine producer's unions, history of the region and growing information. I would have liked the book more had it included some actual pictures of this beautiful wine and wine region but if you want to learn about champagne this is the best I've seen on the subject. I'll definitely bring it with me the next time I visit Epernay!