A question that we are often asked is, “What is the difference between “Sparkling Wine” and “Champagne”? Or “What is the difference between “Sparkling Wine” and “Prosecco”? The easy and short answer is that sparkling wine can only be called “Champagne” if it is made in the region of Champagne, France which is located just outside of Paris. To clarify, all Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. We really should think of Champagne in terms of a geographical location as opposed to just a winemaking style. For all products produced even 10 feet outside of the champagne region, it legally must be called “sparkling wine” however in other areas of the world, there are other names utilized for fizz ranging from prosecco, cava, sekt etc. In America, it must legally be called sparkling wine regardless of the grapes or the production method. Domestic sparkling brands like Chandon, Schramsberg or Roederer are produced in California.

For those that ponder “is sparkling wine champagne” or “what is the difference between sparkling wine vs. champagne”, one of the main distinctions is the price. Champagne is far more expensive than sparkling wine. France produces many fabulous effervescent sparkling wines and cremants, like Le Grand Courtâge, that are very affordable and offer a great bang for your buck compared to champagne.

Where Do The Bubbles In Champagne Come From?

Some people also ask if “champagne” or “sparkling wine” is wine, and the answer is yes.  Sparkling wine starts off as still wine during the primary fermentation, and then the bubbles are produced during the secondary fermentation.

The primary fermentation converts the juice from the grapes to still wine, and then in the secondary fermentation, sparkling wine is made by a fermentation process that combines sugar and yeast to produce alcohol and CO2. The fermentation process for wine requires an enclosed or sealed environment so that the resulting gas from the secondary fermentation can escape. The carbon dioxide then returns into the wine released in the form of tiny bubbles after opening the bottle. In some cases, you’ll find lower-priced bubbly wines on shelves that are injected with bubbles, similar to soda, and these are not defined as sparkling wine in the proper, traditional context.

An Overview Of The Types Of Sparkling Wine & Champagne

Producers from every region of the world have seized upon the popularity of bubbly and the rising cost of champagne.

Champagne

Made in the ‘Champagne’ region approximately 1 hour from Paris.  Champagne is made of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. Legally, it can only be made using these three grapes and must be aged for a minimum of 18 months.

The iconic names associated with some of the best-selling champagne brands include Veuve Clicquot, Dom Perignon, Moet & Chandon, Nicolas Feuillatte, Bollinger, Tattinger, Laurent-Perrier and Piper-Heidsieck to name a few.  

All of the below styles are ‘sparkling wines’ and present a great alternative to champagne.  These are affordable, value sparkling wines, or what some call cheap champagne.  That, however, is a misnomer and not correct, as there is no such thing, and it’s not legally correct.

Cava:  In Spain, Cava is made in many different styles. But the best examples contain small bubbles and have a balanced taste of freshness and creaminess. Cava undergoes the same production process as Champagne, but with different grapes.  Hailing from the Penedès region of northeast Catalonia, well known brands include Freixenet Sparkling Cordon Negro Brut Cava, Anna de Codorniu, Segura Viudas and Juve y Camps.  The varietals utilized can include Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Subirat Parent, red Garnacha, Trepat, Monastrell and Pinot Noir.

Prosecco: The wines that sparkle in the Veneto region of Italy are called Prosecco and are made with 80% Glera grapes. These wines have larger bubbles and are produced in large tanks using a method called the Charmat.  The best-known brand is La Marca Prosecco, and other brands include Mionetto, Ruffino, Caposaldo and our fav, Massotina.

Sekt: The sparkling wines of Austria and Germany are called Sekt. The wines are made using the tank method with fermentation in stainless steel. The grapes may range from Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Elbling, Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier. Sekt brands are not very well known in the U.S., but here are a few options to consider Hild Elbling, Schlossgut Diel, Dr. Loosen “Dr. L” Riesling Sekt, and Peter Lauer.

Crémant: France is known for its ‘Champagne’ in which the fermentation occurs inside each bottle. Crémant is a style of sparkling wine produced in France, but outside of Champagne using the “method champenoise” second fermentation. Unlike other Champagnes, Crémant typically has less atmospheric pressure which gives the bubbles a softer, creamier taste in contrast to the stark, bracing pop you get from Champagne.  Depending upon where the crémant is produced, it may be chardonnay, pinot noir, chenin blanc, Sémillon. Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Aligoté or Cab Franc. Notable brands in the U.S. include Gerard Bertrand, JCB, Lucien Albrecht, Gratien Meyer and Louis Bouillet.

Now That You’ve Got A Better Understanding On All The Styles Of Sparkling Wine, Now Let’s Discuss Sweetness Levels, How To Serve Champagne And How To Pair It.

Determining The Sweetness Level Of Champagne

There are so many misconceptions about residual sugar, sugar content and sweet vs fruit forward wines.  The majority of champagne or sparkling wines are quite dry in nature, but the lingo used is confusing.

The sweetest “champagnes” are dry or demi-sec.  The majority of bubbles served in the U.S. tend to be Brut and have a nice finish of fruit without being sweet.  Prosecco is much lighter and sweeter than traditional French sparkling wines or champagnes.

What Is Dosage?

The sweetness of sparkling is determined by the level of the final dosage, which is the sugar and wine mixture added to a sparkling wine after secondary fermentation to help balance out the acidity. This typically consists of a mixture of reserve wine and pure cane sugar. The quantity of dosage added determines the sweetness of the final product.

This chart we found from We Drink Bubbles should help serve as a refence for your next sparkling wine purchase.   Brut Nature is the driest and Demi Sec is the sweetest.

What Is The Best Glassware For Champagne?

People often believe that the best way to serve Champagne is in a flute or coupe. Actually, these two shapes aren’t best suited to expressing its full character! Choose a tall, bulbous glass with a narrow top, shaped like a tulip. Your champagne will then be able to best showcase all its aromas and fine bubbles.

How To Open & Serve Champagne Or Sparkling Wine

The above link provides insights on how best to open sparkling wine and pop the cork along with the best practices for serving bubbly.

Le Grand Courtâge’s Best Food Pairings For Champagne, Sparkling Wine & Prosecco

Being bubbly lovers, we enjoy exploring various styles, grapes and expressions of sparkling wine from around the world.  Given its versatility, it is really fantastic breakfast to dessert and is extremely cuisine and cocktail friendly.  Sometimes referred to as the ‘scrubbing bubbles for the palate’ sparkling wine and champagne are quite delectable with anything greasy, fatty, fried or spicy (fried chicken is to die for) and yet delicate enough for egg dishes and sushi.

Many sommeliers will say sparkling wine or champagne is the most versatile and best option for wine and food pairing.   If you are wondering what snack(s) goes well with champagne, look no further than the below list for both highbrow and low brow champagne and sparkling wine food pairing inspiration.

Top Pairings For Sparkling Wine

Appetizers

• Almonds
• Buttered or Truffled Popcorn
• Cocktail Sausages
• Duck-fat French fries
• Egg Rolls & Spicy Asian appetizers
• Egg-based hors d’oeuvres
• Olives
• Potato Chips
• Prosciutto-wrapped Appetizers
• Fried or Stuffed Mushrooms
• Vegetables

Meat

• Bacon
• BBQ (esp Rosé)
• Beef or Pork Sliders
• Brisket Chili
• Duck
• Game
• Foie Gras
• Fried Chicken
• Lamb
• Prosciutto
• Ribs
• Roasted Chicken
• Salami
• Sweet Breads

Desserts

• Angel Food Cake
• Berries
• Cheesecake
• White Chocolate
• Fruit-Based Desserts & Tarts
• Mascarpone Cheese
• Shortbread Cookies
• Toffee
• Rocca
• Salted Caramels

Seafood

• Crab Rangoons
• Fish Tacos
• Lobster
• Raw Oysters
• Shellfish
• Shrimp
• Smoked Salmon
• Sushi
• Crab

Brunch

• Eggs Benedict
• Mushroom, Bacon Omelets
• Frittatas
• Scrambled Eggs
• Brioche French Toast with maple syrup (blanc) or berry syrup (rosé)

Pasta

• Butternut Squash Ravioli
• Macaroni & Cheese with a breadcrumb crust
• Pastas with cream or mushroom sauces
• Risotto with mushroom sauce

Cheeses

• Brie
• Cheddar
• Goat
• Gouda
• Parmesan

Asian

• Anything spicy
• Pad Thai
• Curry

Pizza

• Pizza Quattro Formaggi or Bianca
• Prosciutto and Burrata Pizza
• Wild Mushroom Pizza

French Sparkling Wine Production

If you’d like a little more insights into production, this link provides a little more insight into how Le Grand  Courtâge, is made.  With 93 points, and a crisp, light and refreshing palate profile, it is one of the best sparkling wines on the market, and certainly one of the best affordable French sparkling wines to purchase at <$20.  Shop our vegan-friendly, French sparkling wines here.

Three Hallmarks of a Good Sparkling Wine

Fresh: Bright and alive in your mouth, fruity but not necessarily sweet. The flavor of a Brut or a Dry Champagne should be like a crisp apple, or melon profile, with a lovely aroma of stone fruit and slight minerality.

Precise: On the tongue, the wine should feel dreamy as the bubbles roll around your mouth. Precision is more about the acid, which is mandatory for good sparkling wines. This will give it a crisp mouth feel.

Sparkling: Small bubbles are a sign of high-quality wine. The best sparklers will have a constant path of uniform bubbles traveling from the bottom to the top. Less quality sparkling wine will have different sizes of bubbles taking different paths. (An imperfect wineglass can cause this also)

Sparkling wine can be some of the most versatile wines for pairing because of its bubbles that help scrub the palate. These wines transition well between light and heavy cuisines, so they make it easy to satisfy recipe pairings. They’re also great as aperitifs and with dishes that have a bit of fruitiness or sweetness.

Looking for champagne pairings or champagne cocktail inspiration? Hop over to our entertainment page for numerous downloadable guides and ebooks for effortless entertaining and to be the hostess with the mostess

About Us

At Le Grand Courtâge, we created a Vin Mousseux using the “Cuve Close” (“closed tank” method, otherwise known as the Charmat method) in order to create consistency in the style.  Our 90+ point French sparkling wines are produced in Nuits St Georges in Burgundy, France. We offer a Blanc de Blancs Brut and a Brut Rosé and use Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Chenin Blanc, and Gamay in our blends in order to offer a dry, crisp, light palate with just a hint of fruit and floral on the finish in order to create a balanced flavor profile. We wanted to create something which is extremely cuisine and cocktail-friendly.

Tawnya Falkner, the American female founder and CEO of Le Grand Courtâge and ​Très Chic, took the leap and moved to France with the intent to create an affordable luxury that celebrates and elevates every day and reminds people to live joyously.  Her goal was an approachable, affordable, versatile French bubbly that is perfect for all of life’s occasions and everyday moments. Cheers!

Like this article? learn more about the brand or get entertaining inspiration on our instagram at @legrandcourtage and @treschicrose

In this guide learn how pink wine is made, how the grapes & colors define the taste & what rose pairs well with.

Although Rosé wine has been enjoyed for centuries, its popularity has surged in recent years, and we now celebrate with phrases like “Rosé all Day” and “Yes Way Rosé”. The French even have their own term “rosé tout l’année” which translates to “Rosé all year round”. We’ve even got the boys covered with “Brosé”, which Urban Dictionary defines as “Pink wine enjoyed with friends, or your bros”. With this rise in Rosé drinking culture, we wanted to share some fun and educational information to get you ready to Rosé your day away.

How is Rosé still wine made?

Even through Rosé wine is made using red wine grapes, the winemaking process differs slightly from that of red wine. The grapes are crushed and left to soak with the skins for a shorter period than in red wine production, typically 2-20 hours. This results in a pink wine with a lighter flavor profile than red wine. There are 4 methods for producing rosé wine: maceration, saignée, direct press, and blending.

Maceration – This is the most common method and involves crushing the grapes and allowing them to rest, or macerate, in their skins for a short period of time. Macerated rosé leans toward deeper hues and fuller-bodied rosé.

Saignée – The saignée method is less common and involves “bleeding off” a portion of red wine juice during the fermentation process and using it to make rosé wine.

Direct Press – This process drains the pressed juice off the skins pretty much immediately, resulting in a very light pink hue and brighter flavors.

Blending – This method is a literal blend of white and red wines and is most common in the production of rose champagne and rosé sparkling wine.

Rosé wine can be made from a variety of grape varieties, including Grenache, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Sangiovese, and Cinsault, to name a few. Each grape variety brings its own unique flavor profile to the wine. Grenache grapes, for example, are known for producing a rosé with a fruity, strawberry flavor, while Syrah grapes produce a more robust, full-bodied rosé.

Does the color have an impact on the flavor of Rosé? Although the shade of rosé will not define the sweetness or dryness of the wine specifically, it will give you insight as to what you can expect from the flavor profile and hint at what grapes were used in the process. The lighter the color, the closer towards a white wine the flavor will be, think citrus, floral, and mineral notes, and clean finish, whereas the darker the colored rosé’s will be fuller bodied and have more red berry and earthy notes.

To learn more about the regions and grape varietals check out this awesome article from Vinepair.

How and when to drink Rosé and what to pair pink wine with

Rosé is versatile and perfect for any occasion and pairs well with a variety of foods including seafood, salads, and light pasta dishes. It can be enjoyed year-round but really shines in Spring, Summer, and Fall and is perfect for any outdoor gathering. It is also great as an aperitif, a fun wine-based cocktail (which means less alcohol) and is perfect for any picnic or charcuterie board or pairing with spicy dishes or Barbeque.

Rosé is shining in the world of cocktails and pairs beautifully with citrus, fruits, and other spirits. For inspiration and recipes check out Elle Décor’s 25 Rosé Cocktail Recipes.

What are the types of Rosé Wine Grapes

Red grape varieties are used to make rosé, as the skin contact and saignée methods reduce the red color in the wine. So grenache, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo, sangiovese, malbec, mourvedre, carignan, zinfandel, cinsault, and pinot noir are all common varieties used for rosé and even blends.

Even though rosé wines tend to the lighter side, they still offer a lovely range of sweet to dry or even hints of spice or a savoriness, and we like to think of them as a great ‘tweener’ wine as they are a perfect balance of offering the lighter profile or a white wine, while also providing more structure and depth for those that are fans of red. The flavors lean on the fruity side, so you can expect notes of strawberry, citrus, melon, raspberry, cherry, and fresh flowers.

Rosé wine blends are made from a combination of different grape varietals. Some rosé wines lean more heavily on specific grapes, which create subdivisions, or different “types” or “styles,” of rosé. Each type of rosé wine has a slightly different flavor profile depending on the grapes used.

• Provence rosé hailed as the most versatile of rosés, the Provence rosé is a wonderful choice for any occasion. It’s some of the best rosé you can get, and it’s primarily produced in Provence, France—hence, the name.  There are however adjacent regions in the Sud (South) de France or what’s known as Pays d’Oc – Indication Géographique Protégé, like our Tres Chic Rosé.  This fruity and light wine pairs well with any cuisine and its simple combination of strawberry and rose petal flavors makes it easy to enjoy on any occasion, from relaxed to formal, especially since it pairs well with a broad range of cuisines.   Shop Now, or Click to learn more
• Sangiovese rosé is generally an Italian wine, and is fruity but dry. Tasting notes: rose petal, green melon, strawberry, pomegranate, cranberry with acidic finish.  A bright, dry rose, Sangiovese rosé gives a wake-up call to dormant taste buds. Its powerful citrus notes and acidic finish take over with a full, refreshing orchestra of flavor.
• Tempranillo rosé is often a Spanish variety and is savory, dry, and has a fruity, yet meaty flavor profile.   Tasting notes: watermelon, raspberry, green peppercorn, grilled chicken.  A popular rosé in Spain, Tempranillo rosé blends a unique profile with both fruity and meaty notes. On the savorier side, this dry rosé is the perfect addition to a summer barbecue!
• Syrah rosé is a bold, dry wine with notes of olive and cherry. It does not need to be served as cold as most rosé wines.  Tasting notes: cherry, olive, red pepper flake, lime zest, cured meat. Syrah rosé packs a bold, robust flavor as it’s more full-bodied than most other rosés.   This isn’t your typical fruity rose, if you’re looking for a more daring, adventurous choice, Syrah rosé might be just the one.
• Cabernet Sauvignon rosé is savory, dry, and tastes much more like red wine than most other rosé wines.  Exclusively made with the saignée method, it’s an excellent choice for red wine connoisseurs foraying into rosé.  It is more acidic than regular cabernet sauvignon with notes of black pepper, black currant, cherry, and spice.  The most similar rosé to red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon rosé often features a deeper shade of pink. Blending spice with the flavor of ripe cherries, this rosé has higher acidity than Cabernet Sauvignon red wine, which gives it a light yet robust taste.
• White Zinfandel Rosé is a type of sweet rosé with moderately high acidity levels. Flavor notes of white zinfandel are lemon, melon, strawberry and even cotton candy.  White Zinfandel will cure a sweet tooth with its high acidity and candied fruit taste. While some types of White Zinfandel can be on the drier side, most are known for their luscious, sweet an easy choice.
• Tavel rosé is robust, savory, rich, and very dry. A little ambiguous when it comes to tasting notes, Tavel rosé hits the spot for a dry, savory wine.  Tavel has distinct fruit notes, berry, but with an earthier and nuttier twist.  Lower in acidity than other rosés, Tavel is known for being higher in alcohol content, usually with a minimum of 11%. Similar to the vibrant characteristics of red wine, Tavel holds a strong berry flavor with its earthy undertones.
• Mourvèdre rosé is a full-bodied rosé with initial floral notes that transform on the palate into a rich cherry, smoky, and meaty flavor.   Mourvèdre rosé is a full-bodied rosé with a rounded flavor profile consisting of violets, red plums, smoke, meat, rose petal. With deeper fruit notes like plums and cherries, hints of smokiness and meat can show up as well. An excellent pairing for Mediterranean or Greek cuisine, Mourvèdre is sure to please a refined rosé drinker.
• Pinot Noir rosé is a delicate and crisp rosé with notes of crabapple, strawberry, and melon. Bright and crisp, Pinot Noir rosé defines a sophisticated and airy choice for the wine connoisseur. Although it embodies sweet characteristics, its acidity level lends to a drier taste. Enjoy a fresh glass of this rosé with lighter dishes like tapas, seafood, and salads.
• Rosé Champagne, or sparkling rosé, is champagne blended made with red grapes. Rosé Champagnes or sparkling wines are a little stronger in flavor profile than traditional Champagne.  The taste will vary depending on the red wines chosen, but most will have a powerful strawberry and raspberry flavor.   Our Le Grand Courtage Brut Rosé French sparkling wine consist of Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc and Gamay, a delicate red grape that offers strawberry, raspberry and lilac.  Shop Now, or Click to learn more
• Grenache Rosé Bursting with fruit flavors, Grenache is usually dry and best served cold. With balanced acidity and tannins, fruity notes shine through for a delightful, rich taste. Popular in Provence and Spain, Grenache rosé has tasting notes of orange, hibiscus, strawberry, watermelon, and lemon and might be just what you need to fulfill your wanderlust.

The bottom line – Rosé wines are diverse, and not quite as light as most white wines, but much brighter and lighter bodied than red wines. It is the perfect beverage to satisfy a wide range of palates.  It’s cuisine, cocktail and consumer friendly and enjoyable to share with friends, at social gatherings, weddings, picnics, pool parties, or while relaxing in a bubble bath, after all, Rosé all Day!

Paris is one of the few big cities in the world with as many nicknames as it does. From “Paname”, to “Lutèce”, to “Pantruche”, to “the City of Love” to “the City of Lights”.

If it’s your first-time visiting Paris, it’s recommended to stay near the Seine river, where most of the tourist attractions are located. The 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th arrondissements are ideal for easy access to the city’s most popular tourist attractions and main transportation hubs. If you’re looking for a more local experience, or you’ve visited Paris before and want to explore a different neighborhood, consider staying in the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, or 18th arrondissement.

• Grab lunch inMontmartre, where you can sit at one of the cafes and watch the artists paint. The quiet street of La Maison Rose is absolutely adorable and picturesque.
• Check out Musée d’Orsay, which holds one of the largest collections of Impressionist art, or visit Musée de l’Orangerie, which hosts an amazing collection of Monet paintings in a stunning round room, including a quiet meditation or contemplation area.
• Take a boat tour along the Seine, which is a great way to see many of the main sites. There are hop on/off, lunch, aperitif, or dinner cruises. Make sure to book in advance. We recommend  Bateaux Parisiens or Get Your Guide.
• If you’re looking for a quiet respite, you can visit Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole, one of our favourite Parisian café tucked away on a side street near Notre Dame. You’ll often find the owners tucked away in a corner enjoying their own café au lait or glass of wine.
• Palais Royal and the Stripe Columns along the Jardin de Palais Royale are also worth visiting, followed by a visit to Kitsune Café for fabulous pastries, coffee, and adorable merch.
• Fancy is up for high-tea with at Michelin starred restaurants like Le Bristol, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Le Meurice, or The Ritz Paris.
• Visit the Sacre Couer – Tawnya likes to sit on the steps and listen to the street musicians with pastry or wine and enjoy the ambiance.  I lived on Rue LaMarck just to the right side of the church and it was an absolutely amazing view!
• Check out Printemps du Goût where you can eat atop the mail department store of pronto with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
• Bouillon Julien is a beautiful and inexpensive French restaurant in Paris. It’s a restaurant that local Parisians frequent. It’s a great place to have a nice romantic evening or celebratory dinner in amazing blue art nouveau décor.
• If you’re looking for a great meal on a budget check out The Savvy Backpacker’s guide to Best Budget Restaurants in Paris

SUMMARY AND MAP OF EACH ARRONDISSEMENT

 

Image from https://familieslovetravel.com/where-to-stay-in-paris-families/ Great reference for families and where to stay and why.

HIGHLIGHTS OF EACH ARRONDISSEMENT

Paris has 20 Arrondissements, and knowing what each one provides is great for planning your days and travel through the city.

1st Arrondissement – This arrondissement is one of the most interesting districts in town with top sights including the Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens, Rue de la Paix, La Conciergerie, Sainte-Chapelle, the Arts Decoratifs Museum, Place de la Concorde and the Ile de la Cité district. It is the lively and the heart of the city with Les Halles renovated shopping mall.

2nd Arrondissement – This old district with tiny streets boasts the remarkable covered Shopping Arcades, their tiny shops and restaurants. The 17th century Place des Victoires, and the 15th century Tour de Jean Sans Peur are interesting sights. The Grand Rex is the largest movie theater in Paris.

Rue Montorgueil is a street in the 1st and 2nd arrondissements of Paris, France. Lined with restaurants, cafés, bakeries, fish stores, cheese shops, wine shops, produce stands and flower shops. It is a place for Parisians to socialize while doing their daily shopping.

3rd Arrondissement – This district is an extension northwards of the fashionable Le Marais. The Picasso Museum is the top sight of the 3rd arrondissement. Musée des Arts et Métiers is a former abbey.

4th arrondissement – This district boasts two key attractions: Notre-Dame Cathedral and Le Marais with Centre Pompidou, Hotel de Ville, Place des Vosges, Picasso Museum, Carnavalet history museum, and BHV Paris department store. There are also two beautiful islands on the Seine River worth visiting: Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis.

5th arrondissement – The well known Quartier Latin  Latin Quarter where the Sorbonne University was founded in the 12th century. Many sights including Le Panthéon, Museum Paris, Paris Mosque, Rue Mouffetard market, Saint-Etienne du Mont Paris church, Paris Middle Ages Museum and Roman Therms.  Wonderful local bakeries, winding, picturesque streets, and small courtyards are among the discoveries here, while the area is also well endowed with museums and cinemas.

6th arrondissement – The core of the famous left bank Paris with Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Luxembourg Gardens, Saint-Sulpice church, Rue de Buci market, Rue de Sèvres fashion stores, Bon Marché Paris department store, and Raspail Organic Market.  If you like medieval history, old cafés where philosophers and writers once convened, and fantastic bakeries, the 6th might just be for you.

7th arrondissement – The chic and residential 18th century district is home to key attractions including the world famous Eiffel Tower, the Musée Rodin sculpture museum, Les Invalides military hospital with Napoléon’s tomb, Musée d’Orsay impressionist museum, Quai Branly, and Our lady of the Miraculous Medal chapel.

8th arrondissement – The heart of this upscale district is the prestigious Champs-Elysées district with Arc de Triomphe, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Avenue Montaigne, Grand Palais, Lido de Paris Cabaret and Le Crazy Horse Cabaret. There is a residential and affluent district around Parc Monceau.

The 7^th and 8^th are the decidedly tourism-focused side of Paris with posh residential streets, but many locals consider it to be less authentic and rather staid.

9th arrondissement – This busy district is home to the Paris Department Stores, Opéra Garnier, Grévin Wax Museum, and La Trinité Church. It recently became one of the most fashionable districts in town thanks to the Rue des Martyrs shopping street and the beautiful Place Saint-Georges. 

10th arrondissement – This arrondissement around the romantic Canal Saint-Martin in now very fashionable. Rue de Marseille is a favorite.  This arrondissement counts Gare de Nord and Gare de l’Est, two major train stations.

11th arrondissement – Young and affluent Parisians plebiscite this old working-class district near Opéra Bastille. Nightlife is animated as it counts many bars and restaurants in rue de Lappe, rue Keller and rue de Charonne.

12th Arrondissement – An arrondissement free of tourists were the spirit of the city can be felt: Opéra Bastille, AccorHotels Arena, Aligre Market, Bois de Vincennes, Bercy district.

13th arrondissement – No tourists in this district. High-rises and Chinatown restaurants around Avenue d’Italie. Station F startup incubator, the largest in Europe. BNF French National Library on the riverbanks. Best Street Art in town Paris Zoo is in the twelfth arrondissement.

14th arrondissement – Residential district with Paris Catacombs. The Cité Internationale Universitaire is a hidden treasure.

15th arrondissement – Residential district close to Eiffel Tower with Beaugrenelle Paris shopping mall, Aquaboulevard. The Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center and Tour Montparnasse with its gorgeous Paris view are both in the arrondissement.

16th arrondissement – The upscale residential district with Palais de Chaillot, Marmottan Museum, Musée d’Art Moderne, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Bois de Boulogne, Roland-Garros tennis stadium and the Paris Saint-Germain Arena.

17th arrondissement – Residential no tourist district around Parc Monceau

18th arrondissement – This multi-ethnic district is most of all famous for the romantic Montmartre hill and its top sights: Sacré-Coeur, Place du Tertre and Moulin Rouge Cabaret.

19th arrondissement – This multi-ethnic district includes a beautiful park, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and the lively La Villette Basin. It is most of all renowned for the exceptional number of sights and venues in Parc de La Villette: the Cité des Sciences, Cité de la Musique, Philharmonie de Paris, Zénith Paris.

20th arrondissement – Multi-ethnic district. Apart from the out of the beaten track Père Lachaise Cemetery, this district has no specific sight of world-class. Belleville and Ménilmontant have many restaurants and bars.

THEMATIC PARIS MAPS

We’ve tried to make your life, and planning a little easier by compiling several reference maps of Paris and suggestions for how to maximize your time.

Transportation

Given the challenges of driving and parking in the city, the metro system serves as the primary mode of transportation among Parisians and tourists and is a safe and clean option. You can use the Paris metro map to identify metro lines and stations, as well as plan your route around the city.

Alternatively, you can download this printable Paris bus network map.

You can also see Paris via hop-on, hop-off tour buses,

For travel within the city of Paris, it’s helpful to peruse the Complete Guide to Paris Transportation.

To get to or from other destinations in Paris, you can easily take local or national rail. There are six train stations in Paris, which you’ll find located on our Paris Train Stations Map. The map shows the main stations and the arrondissement they occupy.

Monuments

Locate the top monuments on Paris monument map. It includes the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Sacré-Coeur, the Arc de Triomphe, LA Conciergerie, the Saint-Chapelle, the Fondation Louis Vuitton, and the Palace de Chaillot.

Museums

The city is world-famous for its top museums of art: Musée d’Orsay, Louvre, Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Art Moderne, Musée Picasso, Musée Marmottan. Locate and view the top museums on Paris museum map.

Where to Eat

There are countless restaurants in the city, including French and International cuisine. Typically, the areas frequented by tourists don’t provide good quality for the price. However, there are always exceptions. You can find our preferred restaurants in this Paris restaurant map.

Gardens and Parks

Locate the top gardens and parks on Paris garden map: Luxembourg Gardens, Les Tuileries, Parc de la VIllette, Buttes-Chaumont, Parc Monceau, Bois de Boulogne, Bois de Vincennes.

Sightseeing

Locate and view the top sights to see on Paris sightseeing map. It includes monuments, museums, parks, and gardens to visit. Alternatively you can check out the Paris tourist map.

Where to Shop

Discover the best shopping spots in the city with the Paris shopping map. Whether you prefer luxury fashion boutiques, department stores, or flea markets, you’ll find a shopping venue that fits your taste.

If you are an Emily in Paris fan and wonder where it was filmed and places you must visit, please check out our other blog.  how to explore paris like Emily in Paris

Our final words of advice… enjoy and soak it ALL up.  Relish in the joie de vivre, or the joy of life, like the French does, and make sure to allow for lots of café time to enjoy a café au lait or of course a glass or three of some French champagne or sparkling wine!  The French are about pleasure and soaking it all up, whereas Americans treat food as fuel and are often in a rush….  Grab a seat and just people-watch while enjoying all the yummy eats.  Cheers!

Celebrations call for Champagne or Sparkling Wine, and opening a bottle of bubbly can be a fun and exciting experience. However, if you are not familiar with the process, it can be intimidating, and safety should come first. There is no need to worry though, as we will guide you through the steps to open a bottle of champagne safely and stylishly.

Below is a guide to provide insights and step by step instructions to open a bottle of bubbly like a pro.

The below shows the hand positions throughout the opening process described below.

Champagne and the pop of the cork evokes the imagination and conjures up ideas of celebrating and treating yourself… we like to call it the ‘champagne state of mind’.

Below is a list of the best champagne or sparkling wine quotes to inspire.

We are on the sparkling wine or champagne campaign to encourage to elevate the every day and raise a glass more often!

So to those that call it champers, champere, fizz or simply don’t know how to spell it or say it… (not that it is not spelled like champain or champ agne or champaign).   Regardless, pop that cork and raise a glass and Cheers in whatever language you celebrate   Santé!  ¡Salud! Prost! Skål!   За здоровье! Cin cin!   Şerefe!   Saúde! Sláinte! Kanpai!

Champagne is a sparkling wine produced from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France. It is produced by a specific, traditional method from specific grapes grown in designated areas of the Champagne region. It is the most famous type of sparkling wine and is often cited as one of the most esteemed wines in the world. The Champagne method involves second fermentation in the bottle to form bubbles. This method allows champagne to be aged for longer periods than other sparkling wines, leading to an increased complexity of flavours.

Pop. Clink. Fizz. There is no other universal sound that inspires joy than celebrating with a bottle of Champagne or Sparkling Wine. We are here to teach you, safely, how to achieve that while getting that perfect photo of you being a badass! All you’ll need is a bottle of bubbles and a sturdy, heavy kitchen knife or you can purchase an inexpensive saber on Amazon.

Did You Know?

Sabering dates back to the 17^th century and is said to have all begun with Napoleon as he used his sword to open wine when traveling through Champagne during the French Revolution. Since then, it has been demonstrated during major celebrations from royal weddings to presidential inaugurations.

How To (safely) Sabre a Bottle of Champagne or Sparkling Wine:

You’ll want to start with a bottle of Champagne or French Sparkling Wine. The French bottles are thicker and have been created to withstand more pressure from carbonation that happens in the bottle during the 2^nd fermentation.

The wine should be very cold! This step is important to ensure that the bottle does not shatter. It is recommended to chill the wine overnight and place the neck of the champagne bottle in an ice bath for 10+ minutes to get it as cold as possible.

You will want to dry off the bottle to make sure there isn’t any condensation.

Remove the foil from all around the neck and top of the bottle. Carefully remove the wire cage or the muselet around the cork, always keeping pressure on the cork so it doesn’t pop off.  We recommend your thumb or hand over the cork.  Always point the cork away from people and avoid the face and eye area especially.

If you’d like to see a successful sabre check out this video that Pottery Barn made.

Fun Facts:

• Both Presidents John F Kennedy Jr and Barack Obama had Champagne sabred at their Inaugurations.
• Prince Harry & Meghan Markle sabred Champagne at their royal wedding
• The Sabrage World Record is held by Mirko Rainer with 68 bottles having been opened in 60 seconds.
• The most Champagne sabred simultaneously was 623 bottles at the Sciabolata del Santero in Santo Stefano Belbo in Italy in 2016

How To Drink Rosé

The Do’s and Don’ts

If you’re wondering how to drink rosé the proper way, the first thing you need to know is this: don’t overthink it, just drink it. Here are the three takeaways you should know about drinking rosé.

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Do mix it!

If you’re having a hard time drinking rosé on it’s own, then you should know that rosé makes for a great base and addition to cocktails. Most rosés have signature flavors of berries, floral, and melons, all of which are great bases to help complement spritzes and sour cocktails. The dryness, fruit and acidity make for a perfect balance to many spirits.

Do drink it all year.

Rosé is a versatile wine, which makes it a great aperitif or pairing with food. The rosé offers the best of both worlds as it has white wine structure and red wine flavors, so it can be as light or intense as wanted when pairing. It’s the perfect ‘in between’ wine because of it’s added structure and complexity yet subtle, clean finish. It also makes for a good ‘white wine alternative’ for typically red wine-leaning drinkers.

Don’t overpay.

A great rosé doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. $15-$20 is the fastest growing segment across all wine sales – Nielson 2017. And trust us, there is no shortage of quality wine within this price range.

Priced at $16.99 retail, Très Chic rosé is an affordable, everyday rosé with an elegant, yet approachable label.

 

Use code (LGCPROMO) for 15% your first purchase of Rosé Wine from us.

Still Rosé Production Methods + Wine Making Notes

We are often asked ‘How is wine made or more specifically, how rosé wine is made?’  For our Très Chic Rosé, we utilize a fairly typical process for French Provence style rosé wines in order to ensure the youthful, crisp wine with fruit forward aromatics that the region is known for.

VINIFICATION/AGEING:

• The grapes are mostly harvested in the morning (in the cooler hours before sunrise) and are then destemmed for the fresh aromatic. Our two grape varietals are vinified separately for more finesse and purity. The Cinsault and Grenache grapes are pressed directly. Vinification is conducted in stainless steel vats and fermentations take place at low temperatures to preserve the wines’ aromatic freshness, after which the wines are aged for 3 months on fine lees and gently stirred. Our wines are vegan friendly, and we do not utilize any subtractive fining agents like egg whites or gelatin.

PRODUCTION                                             

• The grapes were pressed directly, and we maintain approximately 5-6 hours contact with the grape skins to yield a brilliant pale pink hue. We do not blend white and red wine as often asked by consumers, but some producers do this when they have a lot of excess wine they are trying to unload, but this isn’t really the optimal method to produce the best quality.
• The juice was fermented at 16°C in stainless steel vats.
• Aged for 3 months sur lie. 13% ABV

What do lees do?

As the yeast cells start to break down during the process of autolysis, they release tiny amounts of sugars (called polysaccharides) and amino acids. The presence of these compounds is sensed on our tongues and palates as a textural weightiness or increased body in the wine. White and sparkling wines aged on the lees are often described as creamier, richer, fuller-bodied, or with greater depth and complexity of flavor.

Besides the added textural creaminess, the release of fatty acids (which come from the breakdown of the yeast cell wall) adds to the aromas/flavors in a wine.

THE BLENDS – GRAPES – 70% Grenache and 30% Cinsault

Grenache wines exhibit higher alcohol and sweet, ripe red fruit flavors, often with a violet-like floral scent.  Cinsault is fruity and fresh with a hint of pepper and spice, it adds a softness and aromatics and a higher acidity to round out the blend.

• FLAVOR PROFILE – The coastal terroir produces exuberant wines with fresh flavors of grapefruit, red berries and tropical fruit. Delicate on the palate with mineral notes and balanced acidity.
• AROMAS – This youthful wine offers aromatics of red berries, citrus and thyme.
• ABV – 12.5%
• APPELLATION: IGP Pays d’Oc – Or IGP OC Indication Géographique Protégée(IGP, “Protected Geographical Region”)

TERROIR:

• • The soil is composed of calcareous clay and the vineyards are terraced. The climate is cool for the region with considerable diurnal/nocturnal temperature differences, which allows these wines to preserve perfect balance.
  • Origin of Grenache is mainly the Gard and Cinsault is Hérault department in the Languedoc-Roussillon vineyard.

ORGANOLEPTIC DESCRIPTION:

• Superb, brilliant, pale pinkish color. Highly fresh aromatic, with delicate notes of red berries, citrus and tropical fruit.

On the palate, giving an impression of freshness and very well-balance with floral notes. Lovely length and a mineral, saline and fresh finish with character.

 

Use code (LGCPROMO) for 15% your first purchase of Très Chic Rosé from us.

I once heard someone say that people spend more time planning their vacation than they do their life and I believe this (sadly) is pretty accurate.  The truth is if you don’t define the destination, you can’t develop the roadmap to get where you want to go.  This is where the concept of a “vision board” or “dream board” comes in.  We are HUGE fans and do them every year to set intentions and define the things which speak to our soul and bring joy.  After 2020, we can all use some new energy and vision for the future.

By putting a vision board where you can see it every day, you will prompt yourself to visualize your dreams, goals, and ideal life on a regular basis. Think of it as your compass and your true north.  Many super successful people swear by them, including Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, Beyoncé, and Denzel Washington.

According to Psychology Today, mental practices (like visualization) can increase motivation, confidence, and even motor performance. In fact, in one study, researchers found that, in athletes, visualization was almost as effective as physical practice.

As it says on our bottle ‘Embrace Life.  Dream Big.  Accept all Invitations… so have fun envisioning your future self!

 

4 STEPS FOR CREATING AN EMPOWERING VISION BOARD

This Pinterest Board might provide some ideas as a launching point.

Step 1 – Defining your Goals

Do a brief 10-15-minute brain dump of what first comes to mind as the areas of your life that are important to you right now (family, relationships, hobbies, well-being, finances). Think about what excites you – learning French, teaching yoga, traveling, buying a home in the country, taking music lessons, starting a business.

If you aren’t feeling crafty, the same exercise in a journal is very effective as well.

Step 2 – Items Needed

• Magazines, Postcards, Stickers, Catalogs, Wrapping paper, Fabric, Ribbons, Leaves, Flowers

• Posterboard, Foam Core Board, Large Cork Board, or of preference an Art Canvas (16×20 or larger)
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• Markers
• Fabric or ribbons
• Maybe washi tapes, stickers, gems, sequins, metallic pens, crayons, etc., for accentuating your board
• One glass of Le Grand Courtage Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine 

Step 3 – Finding Inspiration

Grab yourself a cup of coffee, or a glass of Le Grand Courtâge as the bubbly helps get you in that sparkling mindset. Start cutting out images that speak to you and gathering ‘visuals’ of things that align with the objectives that you’ve identified. You will amass quite the pile of things that inspire you. Be creative. Include not only pictures but anything that speaks to you. You can sip your Sparkling wine now.

IMAGES: Find pictures that represent or symbolize the experiences, feelings, and possessions you want to attract into your life.   Focus on how the images make you FEEL.  Look for those that immediately make you say, “Yes! That is what I want in my life!”  

MOTIVATIONAL WORDS: Add affirmations, inspirational words, quotations, and thoughts.  I like to add words that describe how I want to feel – such as: joyful, abundant, fearless, free, balanced, etc.

You are dreaming about creating a life you love so don’t rush it… set aside an evening or weekend day.  We often do ours over a few days.

Step 4 – Laying out & Creating your vision board

Use only the words and images that best represent your purpose, your ideal future, and words that inspire positive emotions in you and make your heart sing. There is beauty in simplicity and clarity.

Start to layout your images on your board. But DON’T GLUE YET! It is easier to lay images out on the board so you can re-arrange until you have fit all the items.   We often overlap and layer portions of images above or below others, so we wait before gluing the edges down.

When you’re happy with the final layout, start gluing down all the edges. You might want to place some books or magazines on top to keep the images flat as it dries.

You might even consider a board for your personal goals and another for career and financial goals.  Whether you call it manifestation, the law of attraction or just bringing clarity to what you want, it is a creative exercise to do alone or with friends – and a nice alternative to all the binge-watching we’ve all partaken in during COVID-19.

Write the date on the back of your vision board and your location so you can go back and remember where you were and what you were doing at the time.

Take a few moments to contemplate your vision board every day.  Keep your eye on the prize (or rather your dreams in this case).  We take a picture and save it as the screen saver to constantly reminds us.  It brings us back to the center and helps maintain that champagne state of mind!

Learn more about our mission here.

Xoxo Tawnya

Founder- Le Grand Courtâge

Sparkling Wine and cheese pairing is easier than you think. Are you hosting a sparkling wine and cheese party?  Or maybe you just want to enjoy some sparkling wine and good cheese and would like to find the perfect match! Well, look no further as we will explore the sparkling wines that complement the flavors in your cheese.

We promise you there is a wine out there for every cheese. It is a known factor that white wine tends to work better with cheese. This is because the high acidity of the wine breaks down the fat. 

Multiple studies have consistently shown that the strong flavor of cheese accentuates the dominant flavors in wine. There is also evidence that your wine palate becomes more sensitive when integrating cheese and wine, this helps you detect more distinct flavors in the wine. In order for you to experience the intense flavors, you need to pair the two right. We are here to guide you!

We also put a blog together on how to make the perfect cheese board.

Sparkling Wine

One of the greatest wines to enjoy with cheese would be sparkling wine. Sparkling wine is so great because its carbonation helps break down the thickness of butterfat that cheese has. This will leave a clean taste in the mouth leaving you craving more.

The acidity of the bubbly wine complements the cheese’s toasty and nutty flavors ranging from fresh to aged cheese. 

Sparkling wine is known to combine well with mild or spicy cheeses while it is also versatile enough to go with any cheese. 

Champagne / Rosé Champagne

Champagne is known for being medium-bodied and can range from dry to off-dry and sweet. 

Even though champagne is the most popular sparkling wine in the world. It is officially produced in France. Note, to be called Champagne, it must be from the Champagne region of France. Champagne has a wide assortment of fruity or floral scents and flavors. The popular ones are the ones with toasty citrus and apple flavors.

Sparkling Wine and cheese pairing

Try Le Grand Courtâge Brut Rosé here.

Use code (LGCPROMO) for 15% your first purchase of Sparkling Wine from us.

Dry:

• Brie
• Feta
• Swiss
• Brin D’Amour
• Monterey Jack
• Muenster

Off-Dry:

• Colby
• Havarti
• Gouda
• Gorgonzola
• Vermont Shepard
• Gruyère

Sweet:

• Blue Cheese
• Any rich cheese

Prosecco

Prosecco is originally from Italy and is a lightly fruity white sparkling wine. The flavors range in sweetness, but Proseccos are known for their light citrus and floral flavors with tight bubbles. 

It is known that Proseccos pair well with soft cheeses such as Fresh Mozzarella, Fontina, Ricotta, etc. Then there are cheeses soaked in the Prosecco wine itself like Ubriaco, this goes well with Prosecco wines as well. 

Prosecco is a fine wine that is suited to have at the beginning of the party.

A classic Prosecco pairing is with Parmesan and Asiago. The bubbles in the wine cut through the saltiness of those hard cheeses.

Prosecco Wine and cheese pairing

Dry:

• Brie
• Asiago
• Feta
• Parmesan/Parmigiano
• Most Fresh Chèvre (goat) cheeses
• Raclette

Off-Dry:

• Gouda
• Gorgonzola
• Havarti
• Colby
• Double Glouster
• Vermont Shepard

Sweet:

• blue cheeses
• any rich cheese

Sparkling White Wines

As you may have noticed, European countries like France, Italy, Germany, and Spain have already trademarked names for their sparkling wines:

France: Champagne, Cremant

Italy: Prosecco

Spain: Cava

Germany: Sekt.

Most of the world’s wines do not trademark their names. These wines are just called “sparkling” and are made in locations such as Australia, Argentina, California, New York, etc. 

Sparkling white wines are sometimes made in the “traditional” Champagne method, but they are also made through multiple different techniques such as the “Charmat” or “tank” method. Some winemakers just simply add carbon dioxide with machine carbonation. It is well known that the longer the wine is left on its dead yeast cells, The more toasty and bready the flavors become and the bubbles appear finer. 

Sparkling White Wines and Cheese Pairing

Try Le Grand Courtage Blanc de Blanc Brut here.

Dry:

• Feta
• Brie
• Swiss
• Muenster
• Vacherin
• Raclette

Off-Dry:

• Gouda
• Brick
• Colby
• Fontina
• Harvati
• Gorgonzola

Sweet:

• Blue cheese
• any rich cheeses