Here are the Champagne Facts that are worth-knowing
Champagne Facts – The “bubbly” drink has been part of many occasions and momentous events all over the world.
This beverage has accompanied people during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, and many more. For some people, this has become their favorite drink during parties and events.
Based on the article in Mental Floss, Champagne refers to a specific type of wine. This drink that came from the Champagne region of northeastern France is called sparkling wine. The Treaty of Madrid, signed in 1891, and the Treaty of Versailles reaffirmed that the French have the legal right to call their wines champagne.
The bubbly wine undergoes the process called the méthode champenoise. Just like other wines, this goes through the first stages process such as grapes being harvested, pressed, and allowed to undergo a primary fermentation.
Then, the acidic results of this process are blended and bottled with a bit of yeast. Next, sugar is added and the secondary fermentation in the bottle takes place. The new yeast works on the sugar and dies. This is known as the “lees”. For the wine to “age on lees”, it is stored horizontally.
Winemakers turn the bottles upside down after the aging process so the lees can settle into the bottom. After the dead yeast has settled, the bottle is opened to remove the yeast. Then, a bit of sugar known as dosage is added. Then, the winemakers slip the cork onto the bottle.
Dom Perignon, a Benedictine monk, did have quite an impact on the champagne industry. He worked as a cellar master at an abbey near Epernay during the 17th and 18th centuries. At that time, sparkling wine was not popular, instead, bubbles were considered flaws.
Perignon helped eliminate the danger of producing this wine. He was part of those who standardized the production methods to avoid explosions. The monk also introduced safety features like thicker glass bottles that better withstood pressure and a rope snare that helped keep corks in place.
Champagne has also been part of sports as a celebratory drink. Athletes would spring champagne at each other after winning. This tradition started in 1967.
This tradition started when Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt won the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1967. When they went up to the winner’s podium with a bottle of champagne in hand. Then, Gurney looked down and saw team owner Carroll Shelby and Ford Motors CEO Henry Ford II, and he decided to have a bit of fun. He shook the bottle and sprayed the crowd.