Abstract
The wine tradition in Champagne is quite old, it began during the era of the Romans. They planted the first vines. Also fossils have been founded in Epernay (the Capital of Champagne), that over a million years ago wild vines flourished naturally in that area. After the Roman time the vineyard of Champagne survived due to the Clergy and particularly the bishoprics of Reims and Châlons. In the Middle-Ages wines coming from la Champagne were called 'wines of France'. During the 17th century these wines had known increasing followers not only in the Court of France but also in the Court of England. At this time wine growers noticed that wine aged badly in barrels. Then they had the idea of putting Champagne into bottles to preserve the flavours as well as possible. The first 'bottlings' date starts from the year 1660. The elaboration of Champagne was not born in one day and there is a long way to come to the Champagne we know today.
