Why Champagne is the Celebration Drink

Why do we celebrate with Champagne? When did this happen and who decided it was the proper way to celebrate?

It turns out that the French probably didn't invent the process of making sparkling wine, but in the opinion of most connoisseurs, they perfected it. However, well before the French developed the methode traditionelle, the English had discovered how to make sparkling wine. And, in the 17th century, an English physician named Christopher Merret informed the Royal Society of London that adding sugar during the process of making sparkling wine gave it a far more effervescent appearance and taste.

According to legend and documented history, royal courts grew to love Champagne. It was an extravagance that the proletariat could not access, but royalty could bathe in it if they so chose. But, the phenomenon that made Champagne the drink of celebration was ... and who would ever believe this ... that royalty found that women were more beautiful after the men had consumed plentiful Champagne. In fact, this was not a phenomenon born in college or high school or a dive bar somewhere, but it was known to royalty all over Europe. Women, on the other hand, were not alleged to have thought men more handsome or dashing when those women drank Champagne, but they did find the royal men to be funnier.

Everything about Champagne seems celebratory, though. Open a bottle without care and bottle bubbles over, seemingly with joy. And, while I don't know exactly where the tradition started, at some point during the 19th century, not having clergy to christen a ship for its maiden voyage, some enterprising ship owner with more money than sense is said to have smashed a bottle of expensive (for the day) Champagne against the side of his vessel and the tradition was born.

Because of its festive nature, Champagne became the celebratory liquid in the sports world as well. And, I say liquid because in sports, it is frequently used to celebrate without being consumed. The tradition likely started in Formula 1 auto racing in Europe, long a sport of royalty. Winners celebrated on the podium with Champagne. And, seeing a tradition they could revel in, copycats in the US, of course, began to celebrate sporting wins by pouring Champagne over themselves or their teammates.

It still makes no sense, but the wine producers of the relatively small area of Champagne can thank all of the people who were pioneers in wasting Champagne for also having increased both its consumption and price.


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