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France is of course famous for its sparkling wine, and many French canal holidays will include the opportunity to learn the history and culture of its production. The champagne house Henriot is still family-owned to this day, and it prides itself on producing only the very best quality product as part of a refined and measured process. Moet & Chandon is one of the world’s most famous champagne houses, and it’s easy to see why. Their vineyards are regarded as some of the best around. The production process has been perfected over 300 years, which ensures the bubbly is flawless and that their internationally recognised reputation is upheld. Henriot Founded in 1808, Henriot has been family-owned since it was first created over 200 years ago. It’s one of the few champagne houses to be able to say this, and that is something to be celebrated. French canal holidays simply wouldn’t be the same without the chance to sample some of the country’s finest sparkling wine, and Henriot is a wonderful place to do just that. The distinctive product draws on a complex and refined process that places quality at the forefront of everything. The Henriot family are natives of Lorraine but later moved to Champagne in the mid-seventeenth century. Through his marriage to Apolline Godinot, Nicolas Henriot met her uncle Chanoine Jean Godinot, who had a passion for improving the production of wine and champagne. Nicolas and Chanoine worked together, each harbouring a fascination for harnessing the culture of the vine to enhance the quality of wine production. After the death of Nicolas, his widow began the champagne house we know today as Henriot. To ensure that the final product reaches its full potential, Henriot champagnes are aged for double the amount of time legally required. The result is a taste which is elegant, rich and complex – you won’t be disappointed! Moet & Chandon Moet & Chandon was born back in 1743, with wine trader Claude Möet at the forefront of its inception. His grandson, however, was the man to ignite the brand that we know and love today. Jean-Remy Möet transformed this champagne house into a world-famous luxury brand, driven by his international knowledge and burning ambition. With vineyards stretching out across a staggering 2,500 acres, their product comes from land which has been given the classification of ‘Grand Cru’ for the quality of its grapes. Their range of champagnes includes Imperial, Rose Imperial, Nectar Imperial and Grand Vintage. The light and delicious Imperial is perhaps their most recognisable product; it displays a pale colour and offers slight hints of vanilla and grapefruit flavours. Rose Imperial is ideal for fans of pink champagne, with each sip a delightful strawberry and redcurrant. Nectar Imperial is the fruitiest of the bunch, with flavours including melon, clementine and white berries. Grand Vintage celebrates everything green, including hints of apple. French canal holidays wouldn’t be the same without a chance to sample some of the country’s finest champagne brands. Henriot and Moet & Chandon both offer their own distinctive take on the fizz, so why not try both? Author Plate Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, the UK's most respected provider of all-inclusive, luxury French canal holidays, as well as barge holidays in other great destinations. Part of a team of experienced barging aficionados, Paul is first in line to endorse the perks of a slow-paced barge cruise to anyone looking for a unique holiday experience.
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