Nothing says 'joy of life' like Champagne

Few words are more synonymous with France and its joie de vivre than Champagne, and plenty of the bubbly will be flowing around the world this week as the country celebrates Bastille Day on Thursday.

The sparkling wine is by definition - and by international regulation - produced from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France, in a demanding regime that includes secondary fermentation in the bottle to create carbonation, and other specific practices and sourcing.

While China has long put French wine on a pedestal, however, Champagne hasn't always enjoyed the prestige and enthusiasm that is accorded to, say, a Lafite Bordeaux.