Champagne: a history of victories

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is fine.”
Francis Scott Fitzgerald

Winemakers from the French province of Champagne have long tried to get rid of bubbles in wine, but at the beginning of the 18th century, a unique sparkling wine began to gain popularity. And instead of fighting the “wine vice,” they began to study fermentation processes and develop blending methods. This is how the history of champagne began, which later became a symbol of celebration, luxury and power.

In the photo: Revol champagne bucket .

The drink lost its former popularity in Europe during the Napoleonic Wars. However, after the complete defeat of Napoleon, Russian troops occupied Champagne: they decided to take champagne as tribute from conquered France. There is a legend that while the Veuve Clicquot’s cellars were being emptied, she said the following: “Today they drink, and tomorrow they will pay.” Indeed, until 1917, the Russian Empire was one of the largest buyers of champagne in the world.

Pictured: Lady Diamond highballs and wine glasses .

And during World War II, sparkling wine remained a cult drink. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill motivated his soldiers this way: “Remember, gentlemen, we are not fighting for France, we are fighting for champagne!”

Pictured: champagne bucket and ILSA tabletop bucket stand

The images associated with champagne glasses are also interesting. Saucer glasses (chalet glasses) are believed to be made in the shape of the breasts of Marie Antoinette or the Marquise de Pompadour (which, of course, is not true, because the design was developed in England in 1663, about a century before the appearance of these aristocrats), and flutes have often been compared with celebrity figures.

Pictured: Libbey champagne glasses: Plaza flute and SPKSY chalet .

Undoubtedly the main attraction of the Champagne region has become a world cultural heritage and synonymous with victory, celebration and good luck. Today, not a single celebration in the world is complete without champagne.