Champagne is a sparkling wine made exclusively within the Champagne region in France and hence the name. Some countries limit the use of the name to only those wines that come from the Champagne appellation, whereas some other countries allow the use of the name by long time domestic manufacturers of sparkling wine under certain circumstances. Champagne is manufactured by inducing an in-bottle secondary fermentation of wine to cause carbonation.

Champagne gained its unrivalled popularity owing to the success of the Champagne producers in marketing the wine. Its image as an aristocratic drink favoured by kings and other noble men has given it an aura of supremacy. At the same time Champagne was also promoted by the producers as a drink enjoyable by anyone, for any occasion. Such a marketing effort succeeded and Champagne became a favourite drink of the middle class as well. They also took efforts to promote Champagne to women, which was in stark contrast to the traditional male image that French wines had.

Champagne comes mainly in two different varieties, those that are made from the grape white Chardonnay and those made from the black Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier. At the same time most wines are made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Though Champagne is made of red grapes they are not having the red colour as the amount of time that juice spends with the red skin is quite minimal. Champagne is fermented in two sizes of bottle – standard and the magnums. Magnums are traditionally considered to be of high quality as there is less oxygen in the bottle and therefore it provides an opportunity for the creation of appropriately-sized bubbles.