Champagne vineyards reveal shells aged over 45 million years

Fleury-la-Riviere, France

IN CAVES deep underground in France's Champagne region lie thousands of shells believed to be more than 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.