Champagne: How the World's Most Glamorous Wine Triumphed Over War and Hard Times
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Book Overview
The authors of the international bestseller Wine and War chronicle the untold dramatic history of Champagne from the 13th century through the crucibles of two world wars to the 21st century
Throughout history, waves of invaders including Franks, Visigoths, Burgundians, Merovingians, Barbarians, Alamanshave swept across the verdant region of Champagne in southern France. Yet this region, which historians say has suffered more invasions, battles, and wars than any other place on earth, is also the birthplace of the one ingredient that above all others epitomizes joy: champagne.
Gallant Harvest tells the fascinating, little-known story of champagne, the world's favorite wine.
Don and Petie Kladstrup share how a sparkling beverage that was the toast of Belle Epoque society not only survived the bloodbath of World War I, but grew even more popular in the war's wake. Thorughout they introduce gutsy, larger-than-life characters determined to preserve their land and their grapes; vintners for whom champagne is not only their heritage and livelihood but a part of their souls and the soul of their nation.
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Non-Fiction Champagne Cooking Cooking Drinks & Beverages Holiday Cooking Spirits Wine Wine & SpiritsCustomer Reviews
Rated 4 starsA dramatic look at the war-torn history of Champagne
After having read the Kladstrup's previous book, "Wine and War: The French, The Nazis, and France's Greatest Treasure", I knew I was in for a treat when a friend handed me a copy of their latest offering: "Champagne: How the World's Most Glamorous Wine Triumphed Over War and Hard Times". I was not disappointed. The authors have once again given readers a highly enjoyable (and exhaustively footnoted) peek into the history...
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Rated 4 starsAn interesting angle on history
Champagne's role in history - a fascinating read. I learned a lot. Unfortunately, some of the "facts" presented in the book seem to be stretches. For example, here's a quote from the book: "Champagne was a patchwork of warring fiefdoms whose leaders kept the province in constant turmoil....In 1095 Pope Urban declared "Let those who until now have been moved only to fight their fellow Christians now take up arms against...
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Rated 5 starsFascinating history of Champagne
A well-written and easy-to-read story of the Champagne region and its wines. My copy of this book has been enjoyed by both drinkers and non-drinkers, but if the former you're get more out of it. Best read with a glass of cold Champagne in hand!
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Rated 4 starsNew Year's Eve every day
I wasn't certain I would like this book. On one hand, the subject matter is one of my favorites: I could easily drink champagne every day of my life - that is if it were a sensible thing to do and wouldn't pose health risks. There is another matter to the book, though, that scared me off a bit - quite a bit of talk about war. It's never been my favorite subject. But I found here, in these pages, not stories of war, but a...
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Rated 5 starsA sparkling story
Don and Petie Kladstrup's new book, "Champagne", is a serious but lively romp through the history of champagne...champagne, the drink and Champagne, the region. It is also a revealing look at the French and how they defended what became their national symbol through war and (literally) pestilence. Defend it they did, to their credit and our good fortune. Written as a timeline, "Champagne" begins in the Middle Ages with an...
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