Champagne is alcohol without which it is difficult to imagine a grand celebration and celebration of special moments. We eat this special type of sparkling wine not only on New Year's Eve or at weddings, but also during many other festive occasions. We also associate champagne with luxury - after all, the best champagnes are among the most expensive drinks in the world! However, not everyone is aware of the fact that the beginnings of this alcohol were not champagne at all.

A bad start, a long time ago in Champagne

Champagne is a French region with a mild, rainy climate and chalky soils. This favors the cultivation of a grapevine species intended for the production of champagne. Yes! It was in Champagne, in the 16th century, that the famous sparkling liquors were created, although initially they did not impress anyone.

Beakers for sheep, or devil's wine

In the 16th century, the term "champagne" was used to describe the remnants and wastelands, which - in the opinion of the then French - were good at best to be spilled on sheep pastures. The champagne wines were gray, poorly colored and matured rather poorly during aging in barrels.

Probably the first champagne to be consumed was the wine made in 1530 in the Abbey of Saint Hilary near Carcassonne. However, it turned out to be a misfire, which did not arouse recognition among the tasters. For some reason, however, it was not completely rejected, and even attempts were made to improve the drink in the following years.

More than a century later, in 1660, the first attempt at bottling champagne was made. Unfortunately, all attempts to close sparkling alcohol ended in a fiasco. The gas produced in the bottles practically always burst them. For this reason, champagne has been called "devil's wine".

A helping hand of the English

As we know, the French do not like the English. They also do not like the theory that it was the English who helped tame their national drink. But we can find such a historical message.

The English became interested in this unruly "devil's wine", and therefore decided to take a closer look at it. They came up with the idea to use thicker glass bottles for the bottling of champagne. One that can withstand the pressure and won't explode. By closely observing all their experiments with champagne, they also came to the conclusion that the best time to bottling it is spring.

The islanders are also the creators of the idea of ​​double fermentation - after the first fermentation, they added sugar to the wine. This improved the taste and quality of the drink and made the champagne appear in British salons quite quickly.

The French do not give up

As already mentioned, the French do not really agree with the version of the British contribution to the development of champagne. The people of the country on the Seine believe that the creator of high-quality champagne was the French Benedictine Pierre Perignon. While many sources speak for the merits of the English, it is true that Perignon made a huge contribution to the improvement of the champagne recipe.

Pierre Perignon started a procedure for the special selection of grapes for production. He also started using blast-resistant oak corks. However, he did it 6 years later than the British doctor Christoper Merret, who was also known for producing sparkling wine.

How is French champagne different from British champagne? The original Champagne liquors are sweeter. The French, in the production process, sweeten them with 165 grams of sugar. The English turned out to be in favor of dry tastes. Even though they double ferment the champagne, they add less sugar - just 47 grams.

International fame and recognition

Champagne was recognized internationally quite late, in the 18th century. Nevertheless, once he entered European salons, he made himself at home for good. It quickly gained popularity, exclusivity and a high price. Yes, that's when champagne became a very expensive alcohol.

Although celebrating the New Year with a pop-up champagne cork seems as old as the world to us, it is not an old tradition at all. Its origins date back to 1870. The champagne celebration took place, of course, mainly at the courts of the rich and aristocrats. Today, fortunately, everyone can enjoy a moment of champagne joy, although the best champagnes in the world are still available mainly for the most affluent.