Champagne is one of the most Northerly wine producing areas in the world, and due to the coolness of its climate, this makes wine production touch and go in most years.

Many use Champagne as a celebratory drink but its uses are more diverse. A wonderful aperitif it is, but Champagne is an ideal partner to many dishes. Seafood is the most obvious with the richer vintages and roses providing great matches to meat dishes and demi-sec makes a great dessert wine.

Alongside the great names of Veuve Clicquot and Roederer, we list smaller producers such as Henri Giraud and Gallimard which offer superb value for money.