What’s So Great About Champagne?
Regine Rousseau is a Level II Sommelier, and CEO of the Chicago-based Shall We Wine, an enterprise specializing in highlighting craft spirits and boutique wines. She has traveled around the globe to share her wine and beverage expertise, and has been listed as a “Diversity in Wine 2019 Wine Influencer” one of “40 African-American Tastemakers.” She was also a featured panelist at the inaugural Blacks in Wine Symposium in 2017, the Women’s Breakfast Business Panel presented by the City of Chicago, and the SoloCEO Summit in 2019. Additionally, Rousseau has been featured in The New Yorker, Vine Pair, Black Enterprise and Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and has made television appearances on Sisters Circe Live, WGN Chicago, Great Day Washington, Let’s Talk Live, and Windy City Live.
Overview
Many people use the term Champagne as a generic term for sparkling wine, but in many countries, it is illegal to label any product Champagne unless it came from the Champagne wine region of France. This special alcoholic drink is produced from specific types of grapes grown in the Champagne region following rules that demand, among other things, specific vineyard practices, sourcing of grapes exclusively from designated places within the Champagne region, detailed grape-pressing methods, and “in bottle” fermentation of the wine to cause carbonation.
The presentation will begin with a virtual tour of the historic Champagne region, roughly 100 miles from Paris to explore the soil, grapes and unique production method that makes Champagne so special. Should we reserve Champagne only for celebrations? After all, nothing makes a party like the pop of a champagne bottle. Well…no. Champagne can be enjoyed all day, every day, especially once you learn more about the flavor profiles of different varieties of Champagne wines as well as some classic and unexpected food pairing suggestions.