Author: Benoît Musset
If it were necessary to show that a great vineyard, certainly a product of geography and soil, is above all a product of history, this book would settle the debate. Indeed, it is men—winegrowers, merchants, consumers—who have made the fortune of sparkling Champagne wine since the 18th century.
This book, based on extensive archival research (both public and private collections, notably from several major houses), whose investigations extend not only to all the terroirs that constitute today's AOC but also to areas abandoned by viticulture, is now the definitive work on the subject. No prior study had examined such a scope or duration. This one will fascinate countless Champagne wine enthusiasts while also appealing to those passionate about the impact of humans on their environment.
A history graduate and doctor from the University of Reims, Benoît Musset defended a doctoral thesis in 2006 that serves as the basis for this work.
ED: Fayard (2008), 19x24 cm, 790 pages, paperback.