I’m Drinking
The Stars
We unpack the myth and truth behind
Champagne, the drink of royalty and
celebration.
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We all know champagne, that bubbly beverage that pops its cork for celebrations, is named after the region in northeast France where it’s produced. The name “Champagne” is protected and only sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region can be called Champagne.
The same goes for the process that assures those trademark bubbles: it’s called the méthode champenoise and only Champagne-makers in Champagne can claim its use.
The people of France thought they had discovered the answer in 1821 when a Benedictine monk, Dom Groussard, told a wonderful story…
But who really invented this method for making wine sparkle?…
The wine continued to ferment in the bottle, and when the monk went to open it, the cork popped out and the wine fizzed and sparkled. Curious, Dom Perignon poured himself a glass. He was thrilled with the taste and the little bubbles tickling his nose. He called out to the other monks, “Brothers, come quickly – I’m drinking stars!
Who are we to argue with this charming myth? After all, we would like to think a monk makes a pretty reliable source, but as it turned out, this one wasn’t – he liked to exaggerate!
He told of Dom Perignon, a monk who had lived at the Abbey of Hautvillers more than 100 years earlier. He said Dom Perignon had experienced a happy accident when he opened a bottle of wine that had been bottled before it had completely fermented.
Part of what he said was true: Dom Perignon did exist and he did work as cellar-master at the Abbey of Hautvillers for most of his life. He was responsible for acquiring more vineyards and for improving the Abbey’s non-sparkling wines, however there is no compelling evidence that he ever made a sparkling wine – either on purpose or by accident.
Despite the story being not entirely true, it was a good story, and French business associations used it to promote the drink and the Champagne region. The legend also helped the reputation of the fizzy drink which had long been associated with royalty. Once people knew it had been invented by a lowly monk, it would become a drink for everyone.
In one form or another, the Champagne toast has also been around for centuries, and is a charming tradition used to celebrate notable events like a birthday, a horse racing win, the new year and especially a wedding. There is nothing that starts a good celebration like the ting of a Champagne glass among friends and family alike. In saying that, don’t wait for your next celebration or special occasion, we believe that nobody needs an excuse to drink champagne!
And with MOTHER’S DAY coming up on Sunday, May 8th there is no better way to shower Mum with love than giving her one of Grand Cru’s special Gift Boxes beautifully packed with some luxurious treats, including one of our favourite champagnes, Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose.
Billecart Salmon
Gift Box
