The history of Champagne, also known as Champagne wine, dates back almost 2000 years. The Champagne region produced wine that was quite different from wines in other regions, such as Côte du Rhône and Burgundy. In the Middle Ages, the Church, aware of the potential of these vineyards, took care to develop them. Later, during the coronations of kings in Reims, Champagne wine was served at every meal, delighting the many guests. The world began hearing positive things about Champagne wines around the 13th century. After the French Revolution in 1790, revolutionaries drank only Champagne to celebrate their victory. In the 19th century, Champagne, highly appreciated by politicians and statesmen, became a regular feature at business meetings. Today, Champagne, synonymous with luxury, is mostly consumed on grand occasions. Due to its prestige and festive nature, Champagne is enjoyed by the French and also internationally. The United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany are the top three countries for Champagne exports, followed by Japan, Belgium, and Australia.

What makes Champagne wines unique is the winemaking technique that gives Champagne its signature bubbles. These bubbles result from 'effervescence,' a natural phenomenon occurring during the fermentation of the wine, where the yeasts present in the wine convert the sugars from the fruit into carbon dioxide. This specialty is what gives Champagne its prestige and renown. Consequently, Champagne wines have been classified as both Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP). The Champagne AOCs are divided into three categories: Grand Cru, Premier Cru, and Autres Crus. There are 17 Grand Cru AOCs and 42 Premier Cru AOCs.

The Champagne vineyards cover an area of 34,000 hectares. Three grape varieties dominate the land: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier. Pinot Noir is a red grape variety and accounts for 38% of plantings, Meunier is also a red grape variety and accounts for 32%, and Chardonnay, a white grape variety, makes up 30%.

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