GARY CHAPPELL has a go at the ancient art of sabrage during a visit to the Champagne area of north-eastern France

THE CHAMPAGNE region is not just enjoyable for the wine experts of this world. LEAH SIMPSON heads to France to find out why

AS France prepares to celebrate the grape harvest, Francophiles and wine lovers will be crossing the Channel to take part in the festivities that will crop up all over the country during the next few weeks. The revels can range from the sedate raising of glasses in a small chateau to full-blown street parties and festivals. In this issue, we hope to tempt you to sample both the fizz and the fun... beginning with ANDREW EAMES, who heads off to the Aube region to pick his own vintage delights.