You’ve probably heard over and over again in TV and movies that Champagne can only be called champagne if it’s made in the Champagne region of France. But is that all that makes it special? Sure, when it‘s a special occasion, it’s become the go-to beverage – both for drinking and for creating a boozy foam cannon. But there’s a lot that goes into making champagne one of the most unique alcohols around, and on the occasion of World Champagne Day, let’s take a closer look at why this bubbly beverage has become a worldwide favourite.
What Is Champagne?
Once upon a time, in 17th century France, bubbles in wine were seen as a travesty and a sign that they’d gone bad. But when crates of wine arrived by sea in Britain and the aristocracy discovered they had a slight effervescence, they were all for it and requested more. From then, it became the norm.
How Is Champagne Made?
Crafted exclusively from grapes cultivated in the chalky soils of Champagne, the northernmost of France's wine regions, located about an hour east of Paris. Only three grape varieties are permitted: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Interestingly, even though Champagne appears white, it is primarily produced from black grapes, with minimal contact between the grape skin and the juice.
The process used to create Champagne is known as Méthode Champenoise. First, the grapes are harvested, and pressed and the juice is then allowed to ferment to make a still wine base. To create Champagne's distinct effervescence, the wine goes through a secondary fermentation process inside the bottle. This involves the addition of a small amount of yeast and sugar. The carbon dioxide produced during this second fermentation gets trapped within the bottle, resulting in the sparkling or carbonated effect. Every step of the process is labour-intensive, contributing to the cost of producing sparkling wine in this manner. One reliable method to assess the quality of Champagne is by examining its bubbles. Fine, tiny bubbles seamlessly integrated into the wine signify a well-crafted Champagne.
Does Champagne Always Have To Come From France?
The legend is true, only sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region using their specific signature method can bear the name "Champagne." However, there are other regions around the world that produce top-tier sparkling wine following a similar method. These regions include Napa Valley in California, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Franciacorta in Lombardy, northern Italy, and, of course, Cava. Cava shares similarities with Champagne in terms of its production process and the designated areas where grapes are grown.
What Is ‘Brut’ Champagne?
You may have noticed some descriptors on a bottle of champagne, one of the most common being 'Brut'. These descriptors reveal the amount of added sugar, known as 'dosage,' during the Champagne-making process. Sugar plays a crucial role in Champagne production and Champagnes can vary from very dry (denoted as 'Brut Nature,' 'Extra Brut,' or 'Brut') to semi-sweet styles and even sweeter versions (keep an eye out for 'Sec,' 'Demi-Sec,' and 'Doux').
In the 18th and 19th centuries, sweeter Champagnes were in vogue, but today, drier wines are more popular, and winemakers have adjusted the dosage to meet this demand. As a result, Brut styles are now the most commonly crafted. Nevertheless, there is still a place for sweeter Champagnes, especially when paired with desserts.
How Did Champagne Become So Special?
As you can see, Champagne is a unique drink in itself, already worthy of celebrating. But as for how it became the official celebratory drink, that’s all down to good advertising. Large Champagne houses of the late 1800s splashed out on selling the product as a drink for the elite and celebrated artists like Manet and Cezanne featured bottles in their work, boosting its reputation even further. And today, the drink has cemented its spot as a sip for the wealthy and those looking to splurge.
Nothing has been able to quench the public demand for Champagne over the years and most likely, we’ll always want a bottle on ice for our next special occasion.