Sunday 24 March 2024

Reims 2024 - Champagne Tasting

 Reims, the center of the Champagne region in France. A visit to to the Charles De Cazanove Champagne House in Reims to learn about the local drink. 

 Charles De Cazanove Champagne House Reims


The Charles de Cazanove Champagne House was founded in 1811 in Avize 40km south west of Reims. 

Champagne Charles De Cazanove (champagnedecazanove.com)


An opportunity to understand the process  of producing champagne. 


Once the grapes have been harvested they are pressed and the grape juice stored in tanks or barrels for first fermentation. 

Charles De Cazanove Reims primary fermentation tanks

Charles De Cazanove Reims primary fermentation barrels


The wines are then blended and bottled. 



They are aged with the second fermentation taking place in a bottle which produces the bubbles. Whilst being aged the bottles need to be turned regularly in a process known as riddling. This is done by hand or machine. 

Charles De Cazanove Riddling Mechanisms

After ageing and second fermentation the champagne is discouraged from the bottle and rebottled and corked. The traditional hand bottling has been replaced by mechanical bottling. 

Charles De Cazanove hand bottling

 
Charles De Cazanove
Finished Bottle

Charles De Cazanove Champagne ready for consumption

An the opportunity to learn about the different blends of grape that style the champagne and the amount residual sugar that give the differing taste of champagne.





Then the opportunity to taste the Champagnes and discover the different tastes.

Charles De Cazanove Champagne Tasting
Romance
Arlequin
Brut Blanc de Blanc
Brut Blanc Noir
Ɓrut Milleesimme 2007

Charles De Cazanove Champagne Tasting

Charles De Cazanove Champagne Tasting

Charles De Cazanove Champagne Tasting

Charles De Cazanove IJ