If anything Gallic shouts ‘we do wine better than anybody else and you can stick that up your kilt!’ it has to be champagne, wine’s exuberant expression where celebration, romance, luxurious decadence and pedigree all combine in a heady but carefully determined mix of terroir and personality. A perfect accompaniment to Life’s big moments, champagne has an equally relevant place at the dinner table (Pol Roger NV and parmesan soufflé anyone?). And with the striking vintages now on the market, it may well be time to begin your exploration of the subtly unfolding world of vintage champagne.