Here are some of my favourite books, podcasts, and other resources for further learning and staying up to date on recent developments in Champagne.
PODCAST Shows and episodes about champagne
Vine & Bubble Podcast
Sara Underdown interviews winemakers, cellarmasters, sommeliers and industry representatives to uncover what she calls “the real story of champagne”. This is the only quality Podcast I have found dedicated to champagne, and she is a knowledgable host with thoughtful interview questions.
The Drinking Hour
Though not always about champagne, there have been some very interesting champagne-focused episodes: a surprisingly fascinating interview with Idris Elba about his champagne; Mathieu Roland-Billecart of Billecart-Salmon; a discussion of grower champagne with Essi Avalon; an interview of Essi from 2022; a wonderful conversation with cellar master Séverine Fresno of Perrier Jouët, and Alice Paillard of Champagne Bruno Paillard.
wine blast with Susie & peter
Hosted by a charming and knowledgeable wife and husband Master of Wine couple, their podcast covers insights about many different kinds of wine. Some of favorite champagne-focused shows include a discussion about Grower Champagne, including an interview with Francis Egly, and changes to Champagne post-Covid.
The Guildsomm Podcast: Into the Glass
This wine-focused podcast has a couple great episodes focused on champagne. The talk with Ruinart about their approach to sustainability was particularly interesting, as well as a deeper conversation with the Ruinart Chef de Cave.
newsletters/magazines with champagne content
Tom Hewsom/Six Atmospheres
Tom covers champagne for Decanter Magazine, as well as regularly publishing articles on his Substack channel. He is particularly passionate about grower champagnes, and offers plenty of technical detail in a easy-to-understand (and often cheeky) style.
club oenologique
Many of the champagne-focused articles are written by Essi Avalon, MW. They cover producer profiles, annual Grower & Grande Marque reports, and deep dives into specific vintages.
BOOKS about champagne
Tyson Stelzer’s Champagne Guide
Tyson’s 7th book is an incredible tome of knowledge – from details about over 1260 key releases tasted over multiple years to stories of the winemakers and 142 houses. It even offers a pronunciation guide of house names, which for non-French speakers is very helpful. Tyson’s writing style is approachable and engaging – a must for any champagne-lover! Available in most major bookstores and Amazon.
Bursting Bubbles
This somewhat controversial book talks about the rise of the growers and dispels some common myths about champagne. It is a very entertaining and easy read. The opinionated author may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Charles Curtis: Vintage Champagne
This book covers in-depth detail about each vintage year, 1899-2019. Charles also discusses a larger number of houses and their standout vintage bottles – a great reference for people collecting champagne. (My wishlist grew considerably after acquiring this book!)
Champagne: The Essential Guide to the Wines, Producers, and Terroirs of the Iconic Region
This book covers history, production, terroir, and some producers of note. It is rich with information. It’s an academic read – great if you want to dive deeply into technical detail. The author is the incredibly knowledgeable Peter Liem, creator of champagne guide.net, which offers extensive tasting notes and producer profiles.
The best champagne region MAPS
De Long Wine Maps
This the best map I have ever encountered, and its available in both digital and print formats. There is exceptional detail and clear layouts outlining all regions, villages, topography, rivers, and boundaries.
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RACH DRINKS CHAMPAGNE 