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Hours it took the crowdfunding campaign for the new Portuguese wine book Foot Trodden to reach its target. That makes the book, by wine writer Simon J. Woolf and writer and photographer Ryan Opaz, the fastest-funded wine book ever. Launched on February 18, the Kickstarter campaign has attracted almost 300 backers and remains open until March 17. Backers receive rewards depending on how much they invest—from a discounted copy of the book to a luxury tour of Portugal’s wine regions.

Where does the name Champagne come from?

A. It was the name of the family who made the first sparkling wines in Champagne’s Marne Valley

B. It was the name used by the Romans, referring to the chalky and limestone soils of the region

C. The name is derived from Latin words for the countryside around the city of Reims

D. Champagne was an early name for the ancient observation that crushed grapes would produce a liquid that bubbles

The name Champagne was first used in the sixth century and is derived from campagnia remensis, a Latin term for the countryside around the city of Reims. There is only one appellation in Champagne—Champagne—but the region encompasses five main vineyard areas: Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, Côte de Sézanne, and Côte des Bar (also known as Aube).

“When it comes to wine, I tell people to throw away the vintage charts and invest in a corkscrew. The best way to learn about wine is drinking.”

—Alexis Lichine
Russian writer who wrote widely on wine in English (1913-1989)

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