Trip to Launois in the Champagne region

There's been much said recently about 

champagne helping to deter dementia and Alzheimers. 

A 2013 study found that three glasses a week

can help prevent memory loss. 

So we did our part to save our minds by making a trip to the Champagne region.

One of our main goals was 

to pick up some bubbly for Christmas

at Launois.

So we made a stop at the Launois tasting room and office

in the town of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger,

a village in the Cote des Blancs area

south of Epernay.

A very young pretty woman.

who spoke almost no English, 

served us a tasting of the Blanc de Blanc,

'white of whites' made mostly of Chardonnay grapes,

then took us back to the office.

Though I didn't get many snapshots,

the entire place,

every surface and every space on the walls,

 was filled with lovely things.

And since I collect angel photos,

I had to get this one. 

Since we had family coming in for the holidays

and knew we would be surrounded by loads of people

for our actual anniversary the night before Christmas Eve,

we picked a little town in the region to spend the night,

(which I'll show more next time)

and celebrated just the two of us

with champagne and dinner.

So sweet to steal away and relive some of our travels

during our time of living in France. 

Since champagne was our First Date cocktail together,

it seemed fitting to celebrate with a trip to the region.

And if bubbles will also boost my brain,

then I'm all for that! 

Happy New Year to all!

(photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

Prosecco vs. Champagne

It appears my favorite is winning! 

I've been a fan of Prosecco over Champagne now for a few years

thanks to some friends who won us over with their favorite bubbly. 

Prosecco sold 3 million more bottles than Champagne last year

for the first time ever. 

And with that, the French Champagne region 

is beginning to take notice. 

I like it because it has fewer bubbles.

The public also likes it because it is less expensive than Champagne

and apparently takes less time to produce. 

Prosecco is made from the Glera grape,

also once called Prosecco, in the Veneto region of Italy,

probably another reason I like it! 

It is also used in Venice's famous Bellini Cocktail,

invented by Harry's Bar founder, Giuseppe Cipriani, sometime in the 1930's or '40's. 

In the early 1500's, 

Prosecco was considered the heir to the Pucinian wine,

a favorite of Pliny the Elder.

It can be sparkling or still,

dry or sweet,

but most often dry and sparkling. 

Next time you celebrate with bubbly,

give ancient Italy a try! 

(Photo from Henly Literary Festival 2011)

(Info from Wiki and Total Wine's Guide to Prosecco)