By Rai Cornell

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to wine speed dating! 

In 3 minutes or less, we’ll introduce you to a fabulous suitor for your wine-loving palette.

Tonight’s contender for your affections: Champagne.

So Where Are You From?

This tall beauty turns heads anytime she enters a room. While she looks beautiful in an elegant glass, her name is dripping with prestige and notoriety.

Champagne is produced in the Champagne region of France, just outside of Paris. While other suitors may be referred to as “Champagne,” they’re only wannabes unless they, too, come from Champagne, France.

What Was Your Childhood Like?

The cherished offspring of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, Champagne is made in much the same way as other wines. What makes Champagne special is a second fermentation process, which happens after the wine has been sealed snuggly in its lovely bottle.

The hallmark of a fabulous Champagne: tiny bubbles.

The first sightings of Champagne are credited to the monk Dom Perignon, who lived during the 17th century and is honored to this day with his name on one of the most sophisticated and desirable brands of Champagne. As his wine was fermenting, monk Dom Perignon said that he was seeing stars, which made him - and all those who looked on Champagne’s sparkling features - fall in love.

Do You Have a Big Family?

Yes! While no one outside Champagne, France can call their sparkling wine Champagne, this delicate beauty has many cousins.

Any wine with bubbles is referred to as sparkling wine. Under that family tree you’ll find options like Prosecco (Italy), Cava (Spain), Sekt (Germany), Espumante (Portugal and Argentina), and others.

Among each of these lineages you’ll find sparkling wines with varying degrees of quality. Of course, the pinnacle of the Champagne family tree is Cristal Champagne, which earned an unheard of 100-point score in 2002 from Wine & Spirits Magazine.

How Do You Think We’d Fit Together?

If you like long, lingering flavors that awaken your palette and set your other senses a-tingling, absolutely!

Just remember, there are many sides to Champagne. It’ll take time and commitment to find your favorite, but once you do it’s a match made in heaven.

Already found your sparkling better half? Snap a pic and tag us on Instagram @getVINEBOX.