Champagne becomes a UNESCO World Heritage listing…
Champagne lovers around the world will not be surprised to learn that UNESCO has added the “Hillsides, Houses & Wine Cellars of Champagne” to the official list of World Heritage Sites.
The UNESCO Champagne listing is based on the category of “Continuing, Organically Evolved Cultural Landscape”, covering the “combined work of Man and Nature” – which all sounds rather dry, but it is a well-deserved accolade for the world’s favourite festive drink.
It has been a long growing season to acceptance onto the esteemed UNESCO listing. The application was filed 8 years ago and the growers and local people are jubilant.
Come quickly I am tasting the stars
The sparkling wine known as Champagne has been made in the Champagne region since the 17th Century. Who can forget the immortal line attributed to the Champagne making Monk Dom Perignon “Come quickly I am tasting the stars”. He probably never said that but we’ll never know. Perhaps he did.
The Champagne UNESCO listing recognises: the historic vineyards of Hautvilliers (Dom Perignon’s village), Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Saint-Nicaise Hill in Reims, and the Avenue de Champagne and Fort Chabrol in Epernay.
These historic hillsides, the production sites (with their underground cellars) and the sales and distribution centres (the Champagne Houses) – illustrate the entire champagne production process and a living tradition.
Read about the makers of the biggest bottle of Champagne in the world
Champagne – The French Elixir
Champagne – The Story
Find out more about Champagne – the drink and the region at: www.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com
