Champagne is a type of sparkling wine that originates from the Champagne region in northeastern France. According to the Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP), only sparkling wines produced in this specific region and following the rules of its production can be legally labeled and sold as 'Champagne'. This is why many people use the term 'sparkling wine' to describe similar drinks made outside of this region, while 'Champagne' refers exclusively to those made in the Champagne region of France.

Ingredients:

Champagne is typically made from a blend of three types of grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. There are, however, some exceptions. For example, Blanc de Blancs Champagne is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, while Blanc de Noirs Champagne is made from either Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, or a mix of the two.

Production Method:

The distinctive taste and effervescence of Champagne comes from a two-stage fermentation process called the "Traditional Method" or "Méthode Champenoise". First, the wine undergoes an initial fermentation to create a base wine, which is then bottled with a mixture of sugar and yeast. This triggers the second fermentation inside the bottle itself, during which carbon dioxide gas is produced and trapped, leading to the signature bubbles found in Champagne.

After the second fermentation, the bottles are stored on their sides in cool cellars for at least 15 months, often much longer, during a process called 'aging on lees'. The 'lees' is the residual yeast, and this aging process can significantly enhance the complexity and character of the Champagne.

Following aging, the yeast residue is removed from the bottle through a process called 'riddling' and 'disgorgement'. Riddling involves rotating and gradually tilting the bottle to collect all the lees near the bottle's neck, and disgorgement involves freezing the neck and opening the bottle to let out the frozen plug of lees.

Finally, a mixture called 'dosage', which is a blend of sugar and wine, is added back to the bottle to balance the Champagne's acidity. The level of dosage can significantly influence the final taste of the Champagne and is used to categorize Champagne into styles from 'Brut Nature' (no sugar added) to 'Doux' (very sweet).

Styles of Champagne:

1. Non-Vintage (NV): Most Champagnes are Non-Vintage, meaning they're blended from wines of different years. This allows producers to maintain a consistent house style.
2. Vintage: Made from grapes harvested in a single year, Vintage Champagne is produced only in the best years. They often have more complex flavors and aromas, and they can age for many years.
3. Rosé: This is made by either leaving the clear juice of black grapes to macerate on its skins for a brief time or, more commonly, by adding a small amount of still Pinot Noir red wine to the sparkling wine cuvée.
4. Prestige Cuvée: This is the top of a producer's range and is usually made from the best grapes, in the best years, and aged longer.

Tasting and Serving:

When tasting Champagne, one can expect a range of flavors and aromas such as citrus, peach, white cherry, almond, toast, and honey. Older Champagnes can develop notes of nut, brioche, and even crème brûlée.

Champagne is best served at a temperature of around 8 to 10 degrees Celsius (46 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit) in a flute or a tulip glass to concentrate the aromas and help preserve the bubbles.

Champagne is traditionally associated with celebrations and luxury, but it is also versatile in food pairing. It can be enjoyed with a range of foods from oysters, sushi, and caviar to fried chicken, popcorn, and cheese.

In conclusion, Champagne is a fascinating, complex, and highly-regarded sparkling wine that carries not just the flavors and aromas of the grapes it's made from, but also the expression of the unique region it originates from, the Champagne region in France.