The cultivation of vines in Champagne dates back to Gallo-Roman times. During archaeological excavations, cups and vases have been found in this region. But there is still a lot of work to prove that these objects were not simply served with water, wine or other drink consumed elongated in Roman fashion. To be sure, in the Middle Ages, monks and ecclesiastics quickly understood that having their own vines reduced the middlemen, made the Blood of Christ available immediately and that it would be a good way to make ends meet. BANCO! Champagne (this time we are sure) was born. Well, there's still a bit of a way to go before it's today, but still, the idea is there. A white wine that sparkles effortlessly, you might as well persist. Nature has this tendency to do its job well.
Then, it is the consecration. Clovis was baptized by the Bishop of Reims when he was converted: the first King of France was therefore sacred in Champagne, with the body of Christ, the local wine, therefore the champagne… you follow? This will be the start of a great tradition such as the current wine fairs: all the Kings of France will be sacred in Champagne. Enormous feasts take place where champagne flows freely! So much so that the reputation of this beverage will transcend borders. The elders still talk about it today! Then Louis XV will have it bottled. A certain Dom Perignon (not sure sure, but almost) will replace the wooden stoppers with corks, and Champagne will continue to water all the great evenings of the nobility and aristocracy of France, Navarre and the EU. Even the French revolution will not have the skin of Champagne. We cut heads at all costs, but the champagne holds hers well.
It was history, but we had to go through history to understand the current notoriety of Champagne. No one can come by saying, "Here! This is the drink for parties and important events! And you don't argue! ”
Now that we know the story, we understand it all. Everything sours with Champagne. Sports victories, births, weddings. It is even said that putting a drop of Champagne behind the ear brings good luck ... modern baptism! We even console ourselves with Champagne.
Champagne embellishes everything. I can't help but tell you a little historical anecdote (Lorànt Deutsch, out of my mind): for example, the Vikings conjured fate by spilling human blood on the hulls of ships. Then, the blood was replaced by the wine (we are no longer barbarians anyway…. Yes?… No…. Good to see, but the wine remains more… reasonable as a choice) Then by champagne. After analysis, we thought that the red wine, which had itself replaced human blood, was still too anxiety-provoking so… no, I'm kidding. There has been no psychological analysis of trauma caused by red wine on the hulls of boats. Perhaps the subject of a new article.
EVERYTHING is beautiful in Champagne. The art of being chauvinistic. The art of putting it together. The art of serving. The art of drinking it (sandblasting champagne is drinking it all at once, not to be confused with cutting champagne). It stimulates our 5 senses: the different colors of its juice, the scents it gives off depending on the different grape varieties used, the bubbles that quiver both in the ear and in the mouth. He has become a key player in big tables, in fashion and in humble family moments on Sundays.
All that to say that it fully deserves its place on the Unesco World Heritage List. So even if it is good, fresh, sparkling, chic, obligatory to be credible in the eyes of some, do not forget to consume it in moderation. With claaaaasse if you will, but in moderation.