Champagne

Champagne is a sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France. It is produced from a blend of grapes, primarily Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, using a traditional method involving secondary fermentation in the bottle to create its characteristic bubbles and complex flavours.

While primarily consumed as a beverage, Champagne can be used in food preparation to add a distinct, sophisticated flavour and aroma. It is often incorporated into desserts like jams, cakes, and puddings, and can also be used in sauces for savoury dishes, particularly with poultry or fish.

Champagne is not classified as a food additive in the UK and does not have an E-number. Its consumption, like that of other alcoholic beverages, is associated with potential health risks if intake is excessive. The UK's Department of Health and Social Care advises that drinking alcohol carries risks for everyone. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies alcoholic beverages as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is sufficient evidence that they cause cancer in humans. Evidence on specific health effects of moderate alcohol consumption is mixed and subject to ongoing research.