Photo: AFPThe Local · 13 Sep 2016, 09:57Published: 13 Sep 2016 09:57 GMT+02:00In caves deep underground in France's Champagne region lie thousands of shells that are 45 million years old, a site researchers describe as "rare and exceptional" -- and which may have influenced the flavour of the local bubbly. "It's my paradise," says Patrice Legrand, a champagne producer and owner of the "Cave aux Coquillages" or Shell Cave, in the Montagne de Reims regional park in northeastern France. Trapped in a thick layer of limestone, in around 250 metres (820 feet) of underground galeries, are thousands of shells that have been untouched since their sudden disappearance for reasons that are still unknown. The caves, where ancient shells have replaced champagne bottles, attracted about 7,000 visitors last year. "Shells hold the marine iodine and only release it when it dissolves," explains Legrand, who has developed a champagne with a low level of sugar that is specific to the region.

Source: The Local September 13, 2016 10:07 UTC