Sujata Patil, wine sales head at Monika Enterprises, tells us a fun story to begin with. “A still wine underwent a secondary fermentation in the bottle, perhaps since it was not properly sealed, and thus, champagne was created. Then, man analysed what happened and learnt the process of creating a bubbly wine,” Patil explains.

The discovery is attributed to Dom Perignon but there is no proof for this. But a line he said when he tasted it is rather famous in France: “Come here quickly, I am seeing stars in my mouth.” And, that’s the story around the origins of champagne.

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.76%

AAP 43.10%

INC 24.14%

Submit

View All In Poll

Champagne is made from still wine, which is made by fermenting grape juice. Secondary fermentation of this wine gives you champagne. Still wine is mixed with yeast and sugar syrup and laid down in the cellar for 15 months in a cellar. The yeast acts on the sugar to make alcohol, releasing carbon dioxide. 

As the bottle is sealed, the gas cannot escape and dissolves into the wine, generating the bubbles. The base wine used in the Champagne region is extremely acidic, so at the end of the bottling process some sugar is added to balance the taste.

Sujata Patil

Read
2000 Champagnes by Richard Juhlin
The journalist describes 2,000 Champagnes
World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine by Tom Stevenson
This coffee table-size guide is full of facts and vibrant visuals

Watch
A Year in Champagne (2014)
Wine importer Martine Saunier tours six Champagne makers to see how they make their product
Log on to: IMDB

Browse
Joyofchampagne.com
This podcast is your guide to the world of sparkling wines. Learn about pairings with sparkling wines and the story of prosecco

Listen
What Makes Champagne Champagne?
Champagne wasn’t always so prized. Learn its history and the science of what goes into the bottle
Log on to: BrainStuff on Amazon Music

What’s your Champagne Quotient?

What is champagne made in any part of the world other than Champagne called?
Answer: Sparkling wine

How many bubbles does a glass of champagne emit every minute?
Answer: 60