Champagne may be the most misunderstood category of wine in the world, as many labels of sparkling wines bear the name in error. True champagne comes only from the French province of Champagne and contains three specific grape varieties. But figuring out more about the wine can be confusing: what is the difference between cuvée de prestige, blanc de noirs, and rosé? What is the best kind of food to pair with champagne? How many different kinds of sweetness are there? What is the best method of storage? Richard Juhlin, the world’s foremost champagne expert, answers these questions and more as he takes the reader on a journey to the geographical area of Champagne and through the history of the drink. He explains how to arrange tastings and develop one’s sense of smell, and why the setting where you drink champagne is important, including personal anecdotes about his lifelong journey from PE teacher to connoisseur. Also included is a catalog section that describes and ranks different champagne houses, types, and vintages. Sit back and enjoy Juhlin’s graceful prose with a lovely glass of champagne, the sparkling wine that has come to epitomize luxury and elegance. Skyhorse Publishing, along with our Good Books and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of cookbooks, including books on juicing, grilling, baking, frying, home brewing and winemaking, slow cookers, and cast iron cooking. We’ve been successful with books on gluten-free cooking, vegetarian and vegan cooking, paleo, raw foods, and more. Our list includes French cooking, Swedish cooking, Austrian and German cooking, Cajun cooking, as well as books on jerky, canning and preserving, peanut butter, meatballs, oil and vinegar, bone broth, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

There’s never been a better time to get into Champagne! Both the region of Champagne and its wines have always been associated with prestige and luxury. Knowledgeable wine enthusiasts have long discussed top Champagnes with the same reverence they reserve for the finest wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy. But everyday Americans usually keep Champagne way back on the high shelf. It’s for big celebrations, send-offs, and wedding toasts and, more often than not, is bought by the case. The good stuff costs plenty—and frankly, rarely seems worth the price. Today, though, Champagne is in the midst of a renaissance—no longer to be unjustly neglected. Over the past decade, an increasing number of wine enthusiasts have discovered the joys of grower Champagne—wines made by the farmers who grow the grapes. Thanks to a few key wine importers and America’s newfound obsession with knowing where food comes from, these shipments have been climbing steadily. In But First, Champagne, author David White details Champagne’s history along with that of its wines, explains how and why the market is changing, and profiles the region’s leading producers. This book is essential reading for wine enthusiasts, adventurous drinkers, foodies, sommeliers, and drinks professionals. With a comprehensive yet accessible overview of the region, its history, and its leading producers, But First, Champagne will demystify Champagne for all. From the foreword: "Smart, entertaining, and valuable . . . one of those rare wine books that should appeal to people just getting into Champagne and longtime Champagne obsessives." —Ray Isle, Executive Wine Editor, Food & Wine

A Master Sommelier introduces the basics of wine through scratch-and-sniff stickers.

Vivianne Knebel was born illegitimate in 1943 in the epicenter of Nazi power, Berlin, Germany. Her free-spirited and strong-willed mother, Marija, fought to keep her alive among falling bombs and Soviet attacks. After the end of World War II, with much of Berlin razed to the ground, Vivianne came to know poverty and constant hunger. As a teenager, she immigrated to Canada, but in her new homeland, times became so desperate that she had to beg for money to eat. After dropping out of school to find work, Vivianne became the victim of sexual harassment. Spiraling into depression, she attempted to take her life, but was miraculously saved by a six-year-old child. Falling in love with a fellow German immigrant, Wiland, proved a pivotal turning point for Vivianne. He saw a wellspring of potential in her and believed that she could become more than she had ever imagined. They married and moved to the United States. In the land where so many immigrant dreams are built, Wiland encouraged Vivianne to pursue endeavors that would test her mettle, including piloting a plane, running a marathon, and taking on a key role in supporting his business enterprise. Vivianne's journey of personal growth later gave her the courage to battle cancer and embrace a spiritual life.

Celebrate the treasure that is champagne with this sparkling tribute to the bubbly--now fully revised and updated. Nothing says "special occasion" like popping open a bottle of champagne. Champagne guides you through the astounding story of how this delicious drink became the hallmark of celebrations, commiserations, and partying across the globe. It explores the process of making champagne and how the subtle blend of grapes produces a notable house style; the history of champagne, from the earliest makers to the establishment of the regulatory body; and the recent award of World Heritage status by UNESCO. The core of this beautiful volume focuses on individual entries on all the major champagne houses, lesser estates, co-operatives, growers, and variations of sparkling wine. Each entry provides background on the House and explores the notable traits of its products, together with tasting notes and recommendations. Finally, Champagne examines the growing interest in sparkling wines and the social and cultural impact of this drink of kings. Revised and updated version of Treasures of Champagne, in a new format.

This keepsake collection is a tribute to the special memories you’ve shared together—the delicate scent of rose petals, the sweet indulgence of chocolate, the giddy exhilaration of a glass of champagne—and it is a personal and thoughtful way to let someone special know how much you care. Three gold-trimmed books offer a wealth of information on the history and popular varieties of chocolate, champagne, and roses. Each volume begins with an overview, followed by concise entries covering a variety of key themes, over 100 color illustrations, a chronology, and an address book of the best suppliers.

Champagne, France, 1800. Twenty-year-old Barbe-Nicole inherited Le Nez (an uncanny sense of smell) from her great-grandfather, a renowned champagne maker. Determined to use Le Nez to make great champagne, she learns her childhood sweetheart, François Clicquot, wants to start a winery and marries him despite his mental illness. Her husband's tragic death forces her to become Veuve (Widow) Clicquot and grapple with a domineering partner, the complexities of making champagne, and six Napoleon wars, which cripple her ability to sell champagne. When she falls in love with her sales manager, Louis Bohne, who asks her to marry, she must choose between losing her winery to her husband, as dictated by Napoleon Code, or losing Louis. In the ultimate showdown, Veuve Clicquot risks imprisonment and even death, defying Napoleon himself.