Readers will devour this book as if it were a novel, given how much its content and the story it deals with have in common with the canons of this genre. From the history of winegrowing Champagne to that of Champagne wine, beginning in the 18th century, through the story of the winegrowers who have shaped and continue to shape this land, without forgetting the events of the long and difficult – but victorious! – struggles that permitted the Côte des Bar to become one of Champagne’s largest wine regions: it’s all here.

This work also represents a formidable tribute to the still-poorly-known history of this region, to its past and present dynamism, to the singularity of the efforts of its winegrowers who, personally and through their vineyards, cooperatives and brands, have produced the grapes whose virtues give a significant contribution to champagne’s renown. Finally, this book is a tribute to the region’s commitment to protecting and promoting the local territory that, through events and initiatives like the ‘Routes du Champagne en Fête’, each year encourages tens of thousands of people to discover and explore its diverse and picturesque valleys.

Don’t read responsibly – indulge!