Official website for tourism in Champagne-Ardenne -
La Route Touristique du Champagne, wine tastings and stays sparkling.
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History of Champagne
In France and internationally, champagne is considered the ultimate luxury product. In our Western civilization, it is a symbol of party, happiness and celebration, for all generations. But the history of champagne traces back to a long time ago.
Before Dom Pérignon
It is estimated that the first signs of the production of champagne were found in the Gallo-Roman period several decades BC, when the culture of vine started in Champagne.
Certainly very far from the beverage we know today, champagne wine has evolved through the centuries. In the Middle Ages, interest in this alcohol grew along with the development of vines grown by clergymen. Monasteries took care of the vines and gradually developed Champagne vineyard.
Dom Pérignon, a genuine Champagne artist
The bottle and the cork were adopted around 1660 but only in 1670 did the recipe of champagne experience a true revolution thanks to Dom Pérignon. This monk from a Benedictine abbey practiced new combinations of different vineyards and varieties of vine. He then significantly improved the quality of wine to make it an outstanding product!
Champagne, for everybody’s pleasure
Ruinart, Moet, Pommery, Bollinger… Between the 18th and the 20th centuries, the biggest champagne houses started to shine internationally. The recipes were perfected and commerce saw a huge progression. Nowadays, over 300 million bottles are produced each year in Champagne.