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How to Collect Champagne

Nothing epitomizes celebrations quite like champagne; the pop of the bottle along with the delicate clink of toasting champagne glasses. There are numerous varieties of champagnes ranging from your sweet Rose champagne all the way to Blanc de Blanc champagne. Collecting champagne is one way to experience all the different flavors, aromas, and personalities of champagne. It will allow you the luxury of making a Tuesday night feel special. Just ensure that you have all the proper equipment and understand how to care for your champagne collection.

Things You'll Need

Wine refrigerator
Tulip shaped champagne glasses
Tasting classes
Ice bucket
Ice
Mid-range priced champagne bottles

Instructions

- 1
  Designate a storage area. Champagne has been carefully watched and aged in the vintner's cellars, so it isn't necessary to age them. However, bottles can be stored for years in your home in a proper place. Champagne needs to be preserved in a cool, dark space, but most people do not have the luxury of owning of an underground wine cellar in their home. Purchase a wine refrigerator and place it in a dark corner of your home.
- 2
  Purchase champagne glasses for tasting. The ideal shape for tasting is a tulip shaped glass. Champagne glasses should merely be rinsed and left to dry. Remember that dish soaps and towels coat the glass therefore obstructing the flavor and bubble formation of the champagne.
- 3
  Sign up for wine and champagne tasting at local winery's or take a class at your local college. True collectors have a broad knowledge of the thing they are collecting. Take time to understand the history and production of champagne, it will help you to better enjoy the champagne.
- 4
  Learn how to serve champagne. It reaches the perfect temperature at about 45 to 50 F. It is best to place the bottle in an ice bucket filled with ice twenty minutes prior to serving (perfect for parties) or straight out of the temperature controlled wine refrigerator.
- 5
  Begin a small collection of your favorites. Champagne can be quite expensive so start a collection of mid-range priced champagne as you develop your palette and learn more about your tastes. Once you discover what you enjoy and prefer you can begin collecting more expensive bottles and expanding to other varieties.
- 6
  Pay close attention to the champagne as you taste. There are five steps in experiencing the champagne: Take note of the effervescence which are the bubbles, examine the champagne (sparkly, dull, or vivid), and look closely at the color, identify the variety of aromas as you inhale, and then taste those lovely smells. Allow the champagne to wash over your entire palette.
- 7
  Continue on your journey of expanding your tastes and developing your own personal preferences of champagne. Order different types and varieties of champagne and add to your collection as you see fit.

Other Collecting