Champagne For Dummies [Paperback]

McCarthy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 1999

Champagne may be the most misunderstood category of wine in the world. The major reason for all the confusion is the use of the term “Champagne” appearing on labels of sparkling wines that come from places other than the province of Champagne in northeastern France. But true champagne can only be born in an environment that combines the essential elements of chalky soil, a cool climate, and the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grape varieties. These are the crucial elements informing the unique flavor profile found only in wines from that corner of the world. Without them, any wine—even a very good one—calling itself champagne, is just an imposter.

Baffled by bubbly? Let wine expert Ed McCarthy clear away the confusion. If you find shopping for champagne a challenge, try this fun, friendly guide and discover just how easy it is to select the perfect bottle and:

• Appreciate various champagne styles
• Enjoy the author’s favorite champagnes
• Store and serve champagne
• Pair champagne with food
• Evaluate sparkling wines from the US and other countries

What’s the difference between brut and extra dry? Is Vintage Champagne worth the extra money? You’ll get the answers to these and all your questions about that effervescent wonder. And in the process you’ll discover:

• How champagne is made, what grape varieties are used, where the major grape-growing areas are, and how those tiny bubbles get into champagne
• The difference between vintage and non-vintage champagne and champagne specialties, such as blancs and rosé Champagnes
• The meanings of terms used to describe the dryness/sweetness levels of champagne, such as brut, extra-dry and semi-sec
• All about the great champagne houses, including in-depth coverage of the author’s 25 favorites
• Everything you need to know about buying and storing champagne
• The best ways to serve champagne, including the best glasses, the best foods to eat with it and more

Like most good things in life, the better you understand champagne, the more you enjoy it. This friendly guide will help you make your enjoyment of the most glamorous beverage on the planet complete.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Praise for Champagne For Dummies "A spiritual man, lover and devotee of Champagne, and one who expresses this passion with great talent. Magical words, effervescent phrases, and fizzy formulas celebrate a wine bubbling with crazy ideas. I raise my glass to Ed McCarthy to thank him for evoking his ebullience for Champagne with such humor." — Christian Pol-Roger, Director General, Pol Roger & Cie.

Complete coverage of 25 great Champagne houses

Baffled by bubbly? Let wine expert Ed McCarthy clear away any confusion. What's the difference between brut and extra dry? Is Vintage Champagne worth the extra money? How good are Champagne-style sparkling wines from California? If you find shopping for Champagne a challenge, try this fun and friendly guide — and discover just how easy it is to select the perfect bottle of bubbly.

Discover how to: Appreciate various Champagne styles Enjoy the author's favorite Champagnes Store and serve Champagne Pair Champagne with food Evaluate sparkling wines from the United States and other countries

Get smart! www.dummies.com Register to win cool prizes Browse exclusive articles and excerpts Get a free Dummies Daily^™ e-mail newsletter Chat with authors and preview other books Talk to us, ask questions, get answers

About the Author

Ed McCarthy is a Certified Wine Educator, a regular contributor to Wine Enthusiast and The Wine Journal, and the coauthor of four previous For Dummies?? wine books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (October 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764552163
• ISBN-13: 978-0764552168
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #343,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Wine > Champagne

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Are there only American Dummies passioned by Champagne?? August 28, 2005

By Melchizedec

Format:Paperback

Although the book gives a good overview about 'le' and 'la' Champagne, I think it's a little bit too focused on the US market (hence the title of my review). I think it's certainly interesting to give an impression about the US market (and others!) but I would have preferred it in a separate chapter.

Also, I definitely consider the storage temperature indicated in the concerning chapter on storing and serving champagne to be too high!. For not-vintage champagnes this might not be that relevant, but storing a more expensive (and complex!) prestige cuvee at 59 F can (and will probably) destroy many of the deliscious aromas of the wine (FYI: for prolonged storage chamagne should be store between 50F/10C and 54F/12C). This kind of critical information SHOULD be correct!!

I would also have preferred some more outspoken opinions and personal tastes, and less diplomatic opinions (I know it helps when calling a big house for some tasting bottles but it is less interesting for the readers), in my opinion to many wines have been denominated as '... this is my preferred rose champagne!..." (how many preferred ones can you have?).

For the starting and non-professional champagne devotees, I would more recommend the books by Tom Stevenson, Richard Juhlin and Maggie Mcnie. Although those books are more comprehensive, they all have a better introductory chapter on the history, production, area, grapes and ... storage conditions.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference: All About Champagne March 8, 2005

By ChampagneSipper

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book ain't just for dummies! It's a rather comprehensive overview of champagne--how and where it's made and different styles and price ranges, with good information on serving and food pairing. I continue to reference this book before I give champagne tastings, and continue to come away with something new.

Alot of information for the price, without any snobbery. Highly Recommended!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A votre sante! January 20, 2002

By DHomme

Format:Paperback

Prior to my recent trip to the Champagne district of France, I had the very good fortune of happening upon a copy of Ed McCarthy's "Champagne for Dummies". Although I have seen and considered countless "Dummies", this was my first purchase...and what a REWARDING purchase it was! Extremely well organized, knowledgeably written, and easy to use and understand, "Champagne for Dummies" should be considered de rigeur reading for anyone with even the slightest interest in what makes champagne the special drink that it is! McCarthy knows his stuff and how to present it in a way that's crisp, clean and thoroughly enjoyable...not unlike a glass of fine champagne! Definitely a "must have"!