Cheers for Years
With New Year’s Eve coming, we look at some traditions that stay with us year after year.
Champagne: The Drink of Kings and Queens
Champagne was the drink of kings and queens in Europe, particularly in the 18th century. The first painting depicting the act of drinking champagne is believed to be from the court of Louis XV. The painting shows a post-hunt oyster lunch, Le Déjeuner d’Huîtres, by Jean-François de Troy, which could be found in Louis XV’s dining room. As Napoleon Bonaparte once said, "I drink champagne when I win, to celebrate… and I drink champagne when I lose, to console myself."
Bubbly Basics
All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. According to European law, wines must be bottled within 100 miles of the Champagne region of France and be made using the unique Champenoise method. There are a few exceptions, such as the Korbel winery in California, which has been making California Champagne since 1882 and is considered grandfathered in before the European rules became official.
Other Sparkling Wines
There are many types of sparkling wines, including:
- Sekt: A German sparkling wine with less alcohol than Champagne.
- Prosecco: An Italian sparkling wine that is very fruity and has large bubbles. It is usually used in mimosas or Bellinis.
- Cava: A Spanish bubbly very similar to French Champagne and made from macabeu grapes.
- Other sparkling wines: America and other countries have endless flavors made with many recipes and grapes.
A Guide to Champagne Glasses from Wine Folly
The rim should be large enough in diameter to smell the wine’s aromas. The bowl should be wider to collect more aromas. The base of the bowl should be a point to create a single stream of fine bubbles. Material-wise, crystal is made to be lighter and more delicate due to its durability.
Flute, Tulip, Wide Tulip, and Coupe Glasses
- Flute: Preserves the bubbles the most and is ideal for bone-dry (Brut, Extra-Brut, and Brut Nature) sparkling wines such as Cremant, Cava, etc.
- Tulip: Collects more floral aromatics with its wider bowl shape and is ideal for more aromatic, fruity sparkling wines such as Prosecco, Rose, etc.
- Wide Tulip: Ages sparkling wine, collecting more of the aged flavors of biscuit and brioche found in fine sparkling wines such as vintage Champagne, Franciacorta, and Gran Reserva Cava.
- Coupe glass: Designed for vintage sparkling wine and is ideal for sweet sparkling wines like Asti Spumante.
A Few Toasts
If you raise a glass to salute those around you, you are engaging in a custom that originated in ancient times and has had many names and meanings over the years. The Greeks’ version was called proposis and was done between two people. The Romans made offerings to their gods by pouring a drop of wine out before feasting.
Clinking and Drinking
Once drinking glasses were made popular, the art of toasting evolved into the custom of clinking one glass to another. A pleasing clink allows the enjoyment of whatever is being poured via all five senses.
A Lot of Tiny Bubbles
Without bubbles, champagne is just a wine. According to the scientist Bill Lembeck, there are approximately 9.8 million bubbles in a glass of Champagne, and 49 million bubbles in one 750 ml champagne bottle. Results vary by the type and temperature of the bubbly.
Different Strokes for Different Toasts
Toasting customs vary across cultures:
- Korea: The glass is emptied and the last few drops are shaken out. A glass is never refilled until it is completely empty.
- Japan: It is fine to refill a glass so it is never empty.
- China: A toast is usually made to a guest by the host, and guests reply with a toast.
- Russia: Don’t eat until after the toast is made.
- Germany: It is necessary to maintain eye contact with each individual around the table as you make a toast.
Conclusion
As we raise our glasses to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, let us remember the rich history and traditions surrounding champagne and toasting. Whether we are in Korea, Japan, China, Russia, or Germany, the act of toasting is a universal language that transcends borders and cultures.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine?
A: All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Champagne must be bottled within 100 miles of the Champagne region of France and made using the unique Champenoise method.
Q: What are some other types of sparkling wine?
A: There are many types of sparkling wine, including Sekt, Prosecco, Cava, and many others.
Q: What is the best glass to use for sparkling wine?
A: The best glass to use for sparkling wine depends on the type of wine and personal preference. Flute, tulip, wide tulip, and coupe glasses are all suitable options.
Q: How many bubbles are in a glass of Champagne?
A: According to scientist Bill Lembeck, there are approximately 9.8 million bubbles in a glass of Champagne, and 49 million bubbles in one 750 ml champagne bottle.
