Champagne is the 4th wine preferred by the French. This sparkling wine is the epitome of French luxury, extravagance and glamor. Appreciated by all, it accompanies us during the celebration of every occasion with elegance. But why has champagne reached such a reputation? Is champagne a cult? When did it come back? Why is champagne the symbol of opulence and luxury?

Is champagne a myth?

Champagne accompanies us to celebrate every great event of our life. But how did champagne become a party star? To understand, we have to go back centuries ago; in 496 AD, to be exact, during the baptism of King Clovis in Reims, the birthplace of champagne, in the sumptuous Notre-Dame cathedral in Reims.

After this coronation, the royal tradition continued in the city of Reims. It is then that the tradition of celebrating all the main events of the elite in the tradition is inscribed. This enthusiasm for champagne was further developed thanks to King Louis XV who had a strong interest in this champagne wine and decided, by decree, to authorize the transport of this refined elixir in glass bottles and not in wooden barrels, which have allowed Champagne to create a reputation for luxury and prestige, differentiating itself from other wines, thus guaranteeing a prominent place at the court of Versailles.

Is champagne the drink of the elite?

Since the French Revolution when aristocracy and monarchy had fallen, champagne was no longer the exclusive reserve of the elites. The Republicans had therefore decided to create a symbol of the new Republic because it is also the pearl of a collective work of renown, appreciated by all.

The nineteenth century was also a golden century, remembered well by the winemakers. A century of opulence for the production of champagne, which remained afloat. Along with industrial revolutions, champagne was marketed on a large scale, eliminating the monopoly of the upper classes on this noble product.

 An ancestral tradition?

Sabering is a tradition that dates back to the time of Napoleon. The emperor repeatedly visited the Moët estate in Épernay and rewarded Jean-Rémy Moet for his work with the Legion of Honor. Which later gave its name to the emblematic champagne of the house; the Imperial Moet. Napoleon’s troops would have taken the habit of using their swords to unlock the champagne during their victories, thus giving birth to this tradition.

Establishing this tradition, Napoleon used champagne to establish a bourgeois and loyal society. When Jean-Baptiste Moet began to export his champagne to the United States, the American elite including President George Washington loved it. It was therefore the beginning of the worldwide ascent of the reputation of Champagne. Champagne thus became the symbol of luxury, of French success, for the joy of Champagne.

How is wine tourism?

If champagne already has a worldwide reputation, what about champagne? Is champagne also a cult? Unlike other regions such as the south-west, tourism in Champagne is much less developed. However, it is not idle and is exploding. More and more tourists come to share experiences with the Champagne vineyards. And the numbers speak for themselves. Although it is still necessary to develop wine tourism in the region, in 2017 Champagne welcomed almost 3.5 million tourists. Extremely encouraging figures for the fields.

The 2018 vintages in champagne?

This year, Champagne has experienced ideal climatic conditions for the vine. Rain was abundant, allowing the soil to remain fresh and nutritious. The amount of sunshine was ideal, which made it possible to start the harvest very early and an abundance of grapes. These meteorological conditions have allowed the collection of intact and perfect bunches without the slightest sign of drought or damage, due to an advance. Do not hesitate to come and discover the Lenoble or Mignon wine tourism services …

Book your visit now on Wine Tour Booking!