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Champagne: sparkling holiday in a glass
It is impossible to imagine the New Year without champagne, as well as without an elegant Christmas tree, a family feast and fireworks. In anticipation of the main holiday, we offer to plunge into the history of the creation of champagne and remember the traditions associated with it.
Magic Bubbles
As you know, the birthplace of champagne is the province of Champagne. The first mention of it is found in the book of the Abbe Godinot from 1668. That’s just in those days, fizzy bubbles were considered a marriage, because of which wine was destroyed without regret. But already in the second half of the XVII century, the monk Pierre Perignon manages to turn the flaw into a diamond. His name is not without reason the most popular champagne in the world. After all, he came up with a unique technology for producing sparkling wine, a collection of unsurpassed wine bouquets and a champagne cork made of oak bark.
The history of the origin of champagne “Veuve Clicquot” also lives in the centuries. In 1772, Philippe Clicquot opened a company for the production of sparkling wines. After his death, it passed to his brother, and then to his faithful wife — Clementine. Thanks to the efforts of this lively businesswoman, the fame of the company spread throughout Europe. To save the offspring from certain death during the war of France with Russia, in 1814, she somehow miraculously transported 20 thousand bottles of wine to St. Petersburg. As a result, Madame Clicquot became fabulously rich, and in Russia they learned the taste of one of the best brands of champagne.
Welcome to Russia
However, the history of the appearance of champagne in Russia began long before that. The first sparkling wines we learned to make in the XVII century. A significant contribution to the creation of the original wine library was made by Prince Lev Golitsyn, inspired by the European heritage of champagne, royal traditions and the amazing taste of the drink. In the 70s of the XIX century, he founded a royal estate with magnificent vineyards of the varieties “Sauvignon”, “Cabernet” and “aligote”in a place near Lake Abrau and the Durso River. By trial and error, he obtained a sparkling drink of impeccable quality. So the wines of the brand “Abrau” are rightfully included in the galaxy of golden traditions of champagne in Russia.
A little later, Golitsyn presented the fruits of his labors at the industrial exhibition in Paris in 1900, for which he was awarded rave reviews by famous French winemakers. Soon, the brand name “Russian Champagne” appeared on the wine bottles. This, by the way, is the origin of the history of Soviet champagne. This taste was so popular with the new authorities that in the 30s of the XX century, it was decided to resume its production.
Legends of the merry old days
The question of why people drink champagne on New Year’s Eve will probably remain unanswered. We can assume that it all started with Peter I, who ordered to celebrate the New Year on December 31. The nobles, who regarded champagne as the noblest drink, made the rest of society addicted to it. Soon, no ball was complete without wine with dancing bubbles in the glass. So the Russian traditions of champagne were laid down. Under the Soviet regime, the New Year was banned, but the memory was stronger. After a long silence in the 60s, the government officially allowed the Christmas tree to be decorated and promised each family a bottle of the most elite kind of champagne — “Soviet”.
The happy citizens filled their glasses with some pleasure. And here it is impossible not to recall the history of the champagne glass. Legend has it that it was invented by Louis XIV, who ordered the court masters a wine vessel that follows the outline of the bust of his favorite. A little later, a glass of flute was born. It is this elegant narrow glass on a thin stem that is ideal for champagne. In it, the drink stays cold for a long time and reveals the bouquet better.
A kaleidoscope of glowing flavors
Now let’s see what types of champagne there are. Natural brut — the best sparkling wine from premium grape varieties with a symbolic amount of sugar (6 g per 1 liter). The most popular is considered to be a sweeter ordinary brut. In dry sparkling wines, add from 15 to 35 g of sugar per 1 liter, and this is a drink for an amateur. Sweet and dessert champagne with a sugar content of up to 50 g per liter will appeal only to avid sweeteners.
What is the best champagne in Russia? “Abrau-Durso” with its deep bouquet and fruity accents still holds the palm. High quality dry sparkling wines of the brand “Cornet” with a refined exciting aroma and citrus nuances are distinguished. Among the best types of Russian champagne is “Russian golden bourgeois” sparkling straw color with a harmonious refreshing taste and a delicate aftertaste. Connoisseurs of French champagne brands recommend choosing the wines “Dom Perignon”, “Prince of Champagne”, “Cuvee Charles VII” and, of course,”Veuve Clicquot”.
The best addition to sparkling wines is considered seafood, pineapple, pomegranate, banana, dark chocolate and cream ice cream. Smoked meat delicacies in the cut are allowed only if you serve bread with them. Champagne as an aperitif is an acceptable option that will please your guests.
It doesn’t matter how well-known brands of champagne will decorate your New Year’s table. The main thing is to choose the very drink that will appeal to your loved ones and give them a magical mood.
See also:
Passion in a glass: Wine country — Argentina
Travel across the ocean: discovering Chilean wines
Wine Guide to Spain
Exploring the wine list of Italy
France-the wine treasury of the world