Champagne – the word conjures up images of elegance, grace, class, and, of course, celebration. It is also the name of the most famous wine region in the world; one that is steeped in history and culture. So when you set out to write the “Ultimate” guide to it, you definitely have your work cut out for you. That’s exactly what Liz Palmer did and after 5 trips to the region along with 4 years of writing and rewriting, the result of all that focus, determination and hard work was finally released this week.
Liz Palmer has always been fascinated by the world’s wine regions. She started studying at the International Sommelier Guild a number of years ago and has been captivated ever since. Her passion for wine has developed into a writing and judging career that has spanned the globe. Not only does she love wine history, culture, politics and science, she’s fascinated with the business of wine and the politics behind it.
The Ultimate Guide to Champagne is undeniably true to its name. The book consists of 22 chapters covering everything from the region’s history and viticulture, to tourism information, gastronomy and even the wine’s health benefits. And while there is an enormous amount of information being provided, it still manages to entertain, largely because all of the factual material provided is combined with a beautifully designed layout that makes sifting through the information both accessible and effortless.
Palmer credits Paris-based company Hachetag Agence de Communication à Reims et Paris with such a reader-friendly design pointing to the fact that both partners of the firm live in the area and grew up in and around the industry. That local knowledge combined with Palmer’s passion for the region has resulted in a comprehensive guide that we believe will appeal to wide array of readers. Wine and champagne enthusiasts will be particularly interested in the early chapters dedicated to history and regional information; people in wine clubs will enjoy the chapters dedicated to tasting and collecting; sommeliers will be sure to reference the science facts and academic details, corporate event planners and wedding industry professionals will appreciate the separate guides for events (including a detailed index); and tour guides will welcome the personal tips and recommendations provided by both the author’s own visits and Champagne-Ardenne Tourisme.
Palmer’s passion for Champagne is evident in both the care and effort she has put into this publication and the fact she has two other Champagne-related books in the works. When asked what it is about Champagne that draws her, she doesn’t hesitate in her response, “Champagne is not only one of the world’s most famous wines, it’s quite complex and is rich in history—this is something I wanted to explore.” She adds, “It is also a beautiful region in France, full of vineyards, historic cellars (which are now listed as world heritage sites by UNESCO), and is conveniently close to Paris. And of course, rising mysteriously in every glass are streams of tiny perfect bubbles!”
Palmer’s writing style combines the readability of simple language with plenty of detail on the facts of the region. Text is broken up with sidebars that provide more technical detail about the region. Not everyone will be as interested in the number of acres under vines in each village. Those that are not can skip the sidebars without losing the flow of her text while those that are will find the book richly rewarding.
Overall, “The Ultimate Guide to Champagne” satisfies a large audience. Readers new to the subject will get a thorough overview without being bogged down by the feeling of having read a text book. Experts on the region will appreciate the numerous facts presented in the sidebars and fullness of the detail afforded to each topic. The list of Champagne quotes is voluminous and adds levity, while the description of each vintage’s weather conditions going back to the 1950s demonstrates the seriousness with which she treats her topic. As for her favourite quote on Champagne Palmer cites none other than Winston Churchill, “A single glass of champagne imparts a feeling of exhilaration. The nerves are braced; the imagination is stirred, the wits become more nimble.” We’ll drink (champagne) to that.
[*The Ultimate Guide to Champagne by Elizabeth Palmer can be found on Amazon via https://www.amazon.ca/ & Kindle]
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