UNESCO Names Champagne Hillsides, Houses, And Cellars On The World Heritage List

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List is a compilation of unique and diverse parts of the word that stand out and are considered as having "outstanding value to humanity." Such places include the Great Barrier Reef, the pyramids of Egypt, and Stonehenge. On July 4, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention voted in favor of adding the Champagne Hillsides, Houses, and Cellars to the list.

French representatives were thrilled to see the Champagne region recognized. "We are duty-bound to preserve and maintain this landscape, know-how, and heritage so that we can pass it on to future generations," Pierre Cheval, president of the Association Paysages du Champagne, said. "We have a date with history, our very own history."

The history of Champagne wine dates back to 496 A.D., but it wasn't until the twelfth century that kings of France were crowned in Reims, Champagne, and guests were served the eponymous drink. Champagne is made using grapes grown in the region, which makes them ideal for the sparkling wine.

Other notable food- and drink-related areas on the UNESCO list include the rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, coffee cultural landscape of Colombia, and the agave landscape of the Valles Region in Mexico, where tequila is often produced.