Wedding Breeze

Traditionally all champagne only comes from the Champagne Region of France. If it does not say France somewhere on the label, it falls into the category of sparkling wine and is simply and unquestionnably not considered true champagne.  French champagne at a french wedding is essential

The Loire Valley really is the most beautiful wine region in the world with glorious chateaux sprinkled around every bend.

France is a country that has an amazing affinity for its land.  It is a land of 365 cheeses - a cheese for every day of the week.  French people know the different “terroirs” - the country, its micro-climate and its produce and especially its wine.They have an incredible appreciation for the effect of soil, and sun on different plots of land at a cross-intersection where one produces bottles worth 5 euros and another worth 20 and the best worth over 150 euros. You and I might struggle with this but Oz Clark describes it poetically.

Some fine well-known champagne from France include Veuve Clicquot or Moet & Chandon.   We have been able to buy Veuve Clicquot simply off the shelf one bottle at a time for 23 euros a bottle last year (part of the Intermarche empire) 4 minutes away is cheaper than lots of wine merchants who promise your good prices.

For serving champagne there are two styles of glasses to choose from. The wide rimmed round glasses with shorter stems of yester-years, perfect for a vintage themed reception, or the more modern elongated flute, which provides an elegant air.

Some venues will have both styles of glasses to choose from, while others will require you to seek an outside rental agency to provide them. You may even wish to purchase champagne flutes as a wedding favor to help guests remember what could be possibly their first taste of french champagne at a french wedding.

A tried and true decorative feature that incorporates champagne is the creation of a champagne fountain out of tiered glasses. A champagne pyramid properly phtographed looks spectacular.  If you can instruct yor caterers and your photographer that you want one.

If you are opting for a champagne pyramid you need the short champagne glasses as the tall flutes make your tower too high and are the wrong proportion. 

You could ask your caterers if they will do a display of sabering champagne.  This will need to be done outside.It is a beautiful celebratory touch for champagne for the bride and groom.  You need to be very careful.  The saberer needs to wear gloves, long sleeves and glasses.The champagne should be ice cold.Do not do this intoxicated - it is dangerous. We are talking sharp knives and broken glass and flying bits - people have been seriously injured. Be responsible.  You need to make sure that the sabered glass is collected so it is not a hazard to any one cutting themselves.  Also the bottle itself once sabered is incredibly sharp an easy for people to cut themselves on.  Be careful please.  Nothing ruins a wedding like blood. 

For a truly stylish wedding, nothing flows better than true Champagne.  If you budget just simply will not stretch that far go for Champagne Methodoise - Vouvray from the Loire Valley is a sparkling Chenin Blanc champagne style alternative. 

Champagne at the head table at your french wedding chateau is worth the cost.  It is your wedding in France and you should splash out on yourselves.