What is champagne?

Birthday parties, promotions, weddings, and every momentous occasion in our lives seem to be marked by a bottle of bubbly.  But have you ever wondered how champagne came to be? Say, who came up with the idea of the carbonated libation that is the staple of every major celebration today? Or perhaps what is the nature and backstory of that bottle of bubbly sitting in your cellar? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve taken the initiative to dig and learn all there is to this well-loved variety. From the history to the making and styles of the impressionable masterpiece society can’t stop bubbling over; champagne.

Understanding bubbly in five common questions

If you’re one to love a good glass of champagne, this is for you. We’ll be dishing the low down on this complex celebratory drink that’s grown to be a mass favorite. Don’t fret; it’s not as technical and intimidating as most would anticipate, so kick back, pop that bottle, and let us take you through the five commonly asked questions about champagne.

Where did champagne originate from?

The history of wine dates back to the 5th century in northeastern France. Back then, the wines for champagne production were uncarbonated and exclusively vinified from pinot noir. The winemakers in the Champagne Region began exploring bottled refermentation for the peculiar bubbly wine that had gained popularity in the 1700s royal court. Of course, this didn’t work as the bottles exploded due to carbon dioxide build-up, forcing them to look into alternative approaches for their production. By the 19th century, the winemakers had exhausted their experimentation and mastered the control of carbon dioxide, birthing the champagne we’ve all come to love.

How is champagne made?

What sets bubbly apart from other wines is the production process- the Methode Champenoise. When starting, this production will go like any other wine production, but there’s the twist. Unlike regular wine, champagne is processed using highly acidic, low-sugar grapes outsourced from small growers across the Champagne region. These grapes are vinified to make low-alcohol wines and then blended by a cellarmaster to create a wine consistent with the house’s style. After that, the blended wine is bottled with yeast and left to ferment for months. This second fermentation is what carbonates the wine and increases its alcohol content. For the final touch, the wine is aged, disgorged, and dosed with sugar, depending on the champagne style the vintner is going for. 

What does champagne taste like?

Champagne carries the taste of grapes and the soil they’re grown from; this means the flavor profile will be determined by the vines’ grape variety, soil, terrier elements, and the wine maker’s touch. Although if we were, generally speaking, we’d define champagne’s taste palette as light, and lively-bodied with a bright acidic touch. Some might even dub it brioche-y or nutty thanks to its second fermentation. On the nose, champagne leaves a fruity floral variety with a spicy note.

How many styles of champagne are there?

When it comes to champagne classification, opinions tend to vary. Some oenophiles classify champagne as vintage or non-vintage, while others prefer distinguishing it according to grape varieties; Chardonnay, Pinot noir, and Pinot Meunier. Here, we classify champagne according to brut; brut is the sweetness designation of the drink. Often, the Brut levels will be scaled as the sugar dosage per liter, and indicated on the champagne packaging. For this champagne classification there are six notable styles: Doux, Demi-sec, Extra dry, Brut, Sec and Brut Zero. 

How much does a bottle of champagne cost?

According to stereotype, champagne is exorbitantly priced, although the reality is champagne bottles can cost as little as $12 – if you know where to look. In contrast, high-end champagne brands charge up to $300 a bottle for their good stuff. Ultimately your selection when shopping for champagne will be driven by personal preference and budget. For the champagne enthusiasts open to some insight, we’d suggest working with the champagne connoisseur’s quote for a decent bottle of bubbly, which is $60-$100.

Note: Champagne prices are dictated by several factors like the type of grapes used, aging time, production process, brand recognition, vineyard and winery exclusivity.

Bottom line

Champagne has grown to be an unparalleled celebratory drink for years, and its distinctive bright lovely structure, flavor, and aroma are to credit for this. A social favorite, this expansive range beverage is appreciated for its ability to split well with just about anything; bring out that roast chicken, and champagne brut will complement it. Go for a fruity dessert or cheese and watch a bottle of a sweet champagne match it up. Drink it flat, and the bubbles effortlessly captivate you. Champagnes genuinely are the heart and soul of vitrification. Hopefully, this article gives you just the right amount of insight into what the champagne culture hype is all about so you’d come to appreciate it a little more.