Champagne: The Spirit of Celebration
by By Slavin, Sara and Petzke, Karl
Category: Cooking , Beverages , Wine & Spirits

Champagne commemorates this golden nectar with a host of fascinating facts, literary reflections, innovative recipes, and evocative full-color and black-and-white photographs. From the romantic Champagne region of northern France to the verdant valleys of California; from vast, sunny vineyards to dark, chilly caves, this lavish volume describes the various types of champagne and sparkling wines, their intricate fermentation processes, and their history, offering advice about such issues as proper storage and the correct way to open a bottle.Recipes include delectable appetizers, rich entrees, and luscious desserts that can be prepared with champagne or sparkling wine - including oysters with Champagne Mignonette, Champagne Risotto with Wild Mushrooms, and Champagne Poached Chocolate Cream Pears - as well as hors d'oeuvres that go well with champagne, such as Grapes with Herbed Chevre and Toasted Almonds. The book also features recipes for creating (or mixing) traditional champagne drinks, including the Bellini and Kir Royale.