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​Champagne – a thirsty insider’s view

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As usual, Tim Hall of Scala Wine has covered Champagne Week in the Champagne region for us. First, a look at what ‘grower champagne’ means, and his insider tips on where to sip and eat in the region. For more on the wines, see part 1 and part 2

What is grower champagne? 

There are 15,000 businesses, often tiny, which grow grapes in Champagne. The vast majority make no wine and sell all their grapes to the big houses such as Moët & Chandon and co-ops such as Nicolas Feuillatte. Fewer than 4,200 small outfits sell bottles with...