Maybe the bubbles in the glass, the foam coming out of the bottle after opening or the relatively high price, are what made Champagne the label of the elitist drink • But when there is a holiday or party reason, it is the most popular drink

• Champagne (illustration) // Photo: GettyImages

It is a pity that France's medieval count is inferior in terms of the quality of its grapes, and the wines produced there were too sour, too astringent, and generally unsavory. Of course, they couldn't compete with the quality of the wine from other provinces in the country, like Bordeaux, Languedoc or the Loire Valley.

The revolution took place only in the 17th century, when the brewing wine production technique, which matched the local terroir and grape varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Monia - came to the Champagne to date.

It was not the famous monk Dom Perignon (1715-1638) who invented it, but he who perfected the method, conducted close surveys and analytical comparisons between vineyard plots, vintage years and various other parameters, and thus gained world fame.

Later, somehow, the luxury image stuck to these wines (the wine price contributed to that as well), and they became especially fond of parties, launches of new ships, Grand Prix competitions and high society lounges. Maybe it's the bubbles that come up in the glass, or the sour and delicate flavors of the wine, maybe the foam that comes from the neck of the bottle when opened after shaking and perhaps the uniqueness of the complex production process, which is not present in any other wine - a second fermentation in the bottle itself - that caused its popularity among Russian czars, royalty or Novo-Rishis.

True, there are a variety of sparkling wines from around the world today, which are significantly cheaper - like cava, lambrusco, prosecco and more - but the champagne, which is protected by strict regional trade laws (contract Madrid), retains its status as a super-luxurious super-drink, and, yes, quite expensive.

Ahead of Chanukah and New Year's Eve, it's time to pick up a real, refreshing glass of champagne as best as tradition, alongside Chanukah candles, donuts and candies.

Official tasting

Brut Natur, ZERO Dosage, Darpia Winery.

This wine comes from the famous Champagne house Darpia and is made from Pinot Noir grapes (Blanc de Noir) without the addition of the sweet dosage liqueur, which is responsible for, among other things, the sweet-fruity flavors and the unique character of the wine. The result is a particularly dry, crispy and very elegant and mineral wine. Green apple aromas, roasted toast and breadcrumbs, along with lemon flavors, stinky French cheese and light nuts. Medium and complex body. Great wine! (NIS 240).

Hidicic monopoly. A champagne house founded by German immigrants in the late 18th century. Wine production used the three types of grapes allowed - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Monia. Its color is bright and it has a fine and classic bubbly. The relatively high use of dosage results in a fresh baguette and apple and pear flavor, along with crisp and precise acidity and a medium-full body (NIS 220).

Royal Brut, Pomeray. Champagne produced from Chardonnay grapes and Pinot Noir in equal parts. The wine is bright yellow and bright. With no sour freshness, a touch of graceful sour cucumber juice combined with florals, citrus touches and a hint of coffee. In the mouth the wine is revealed to have complex flavors and a medium and full body. Everything you need in Champagne is good! (NIS 250).

Brut Rosa, Lauren Freya. The category of pink champagne, a category in itself, rose to the headlines in Israel in the most unflattering circumstances, but all in all it was "ordinary" champagne that added a little red wine, with the price already a product of supply and demand. The one before us was installed from 100% Pinot Noir, and after the second fermentation in the bottle the wine added and aged for at least four years. The wine has a surprisingly unconventional bright red color, even very fruity - strawberries and cherry - with little mouth-watering alongside the obvious sourness. It has a strong bubble, and according to the price, it seems to suit mainly those who want to impress the surrounding (NIS 595).

Brut 2017, Tishbi Winery. The sparkling Israeli wines may not be called "champagne", as stated (a protected trade mark limited to the French Champagne region and other restrictions), but it turns out that the Jewish head can also bring in similar style wines that are not bad at all. An example of this is the savage of Tishbi, the surprise of tasting.

Installed from Franz-Columber grapes with the traditional method of second-bottle fermentation, bright yellow color, guava and peach nose, along with a pleasant yeast aroma. It tastes medium-bodied, acidic and spicy, but its fruitiness is not absent and has even a bit of graceful aroma (NIS 99 per bottle, NIS 149 for a festive case with two luxury crystal glasses from Riddle House).

Blanc de Blanc LATE DISGORGED 2007, Golan Heights Winery. Another wine that cannot be called champagne, but presents wine of a similar style, is the Blanc de Blanc which was launched in a limited edition of only 3,000 bottles, and was bottled for more than ten years before being released on the market. It is made from Chardonnay grapes grown in the northern Golan Heights, and has been installed using the traditional method, which includes manual harvesting, whole cluster extraction and a second bottle fermentation.

It has a medium straw color, fresh baguette aromas, lemons and green apples, along with springy hints of blossoms and nuts. It is a crisp wine, with a high and fresh tartness and a very elegant structure. Nothing to be ashamed of the original champagne (NIS 250).