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ChampagneThe eponymous sparkling wine from (and only from) Champagne, France, is an instant signifier of luxury and celebration, showing up everywhere from royal coronations to rap videos.
The bubbly beverage is governed by strict regulations in addition to geographical restrictions. It can contain juice from only eight permitted varieties of grapes, including pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay; and it must follow the “méthode champenoise,” in which a secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle, producing the famous fizz.
Champagne’s signature bubbles were once considered a flaw up until the 17th century. However, British nobility enjoyed the innovation and brightness of the bubbles and Champagne grew in popularity in England over the next century. Champagne sales have quadrupled since 1950, and the market is expected to hit $12.9B by 2032. Explore Champagne
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The mastermind behind Veuve Clicquot Champagne was an 1800s French widowWhen Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin's husband died in the early 1800s, the Widow Clicquot (the word "veuve" means "widow" in French) took over the family's Champagne business—and turned it into the success it is today. She did so during a particularly unfavorable time for women in business. Spotify12 things we learned about ChampagneChampagne isn’t just sparkling wine—it’s a protected name tied to France’s Champagne region and made using the strict champenoise method. This explainer looks at its surprising history, from early fermentation mishaps to how it became a global symbol of celebration. 1440Why only a single region can call it ChampagneChampagne isn't just sparkling wine—it's a product of strict tradition and geography. By law, only bottles made in France's Champagne region using the "méthode champenoise" can bear the name. From fermentation to riddling and disgorgement, each bottle undergoes years of meticulous crafting before it's ready to be popped. 1440Watch experts blindly taste test Champagne and other sparkling winesChampagne’s prestige typically comes with a high price. So is it worth it? Professional wine judge Dr. Matthew Horkey invites a Champagne expert and a producer to a blind taste test to find out. The individuals try sparkling wines from across the world and do their best to sniff out (sip out?) which is the real-deal Champagne. Dr. Matthew HorkeySome people smash Champagne bottles on ships for good luckLong before Champagne existed, people performed good-luck rituals before setting sail. But since animal sacrifice is generally frowned upon these days, a new tradition developed before a ship’s maiden voyage: smashing a bottle of Champagne against the hull. VinePairThere's a legal loophole behind California ChampagneIn the late 19th century, sparkling wine production took root in California before France began the fight to own the term “Champagne.” Many American winemakers already used it for easy recognition. The battle continued for over a century before reaching an agreement in 2005, stipulating that American sparkling wine couldn’t be labeled as Champagne unless the producer was already calling it such. VinePairChampagne played a role in resisting the NazisWhen France surrendered to the Nazis in 1940, the invaders occupied the north. This was home to wine regions like Champagne and Bordeaux, which the Nazis were eager to loot. Winemakers took a stand by sheltering dissidents in their cellars, passing intelligence across borders, and even giving their lives to the cause. BBC NewsIn 1910, riots swept Champagne over unfairness in the winemaking industryThe French are well known for protesting, and their winegrowers are no exception. After years of disastrous harvests caused by bad weather, disease, and deceptive practices by large Champagne houses, smaller vintners fought back. Dan Snow's History HitMaking Champagne from start to finishThis video from wine educator Amelia Singer covers everything from grape to glass. She’ll walk you through pressing the fruit, fermentation, aging, disgorgement, and, of course, drinking. Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)Modern Champagne owes much of its existence to one woman: Widow ClicquotBarbe-Nicole Ponsardin, better known as the Widow Clicquot, might not have actually invented Champagne, but her innovative approach to winemaking yielded many techniques still used today. Taking over her husband’s failing business after his death, the Widow Clicquot combined business savvy and innovative thinking to make the process easier, more efficient, and, most important, more profitable. Smithsonian MagazineIn 2025, Moët & Chandon was the leading Champagne brandValued at nearly $1.5B, Moët & Chandon leads the charge in brand value. Following closely are Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. Market.usThe tradition of drinking Champagne on New Year's is believed to come from ancient RomeJulius Caesar might not have had sparkling wine, but when the Romans created the now-standard calendar that begins on Jan. 1, they celebrated with a toast. The tradition spread throughout Europe and then the colonies, and so when Champagne became the drink of choice for special occasions, it was only natural that it became the standard New Year’s Eve sip. City VinoThe vast majority of Champagne is labeled 'dry' or even 'extra dry'Sweetness levels are determined by the amount of sugar added to the wine at the end of the process—anything up to 6 grams per liter is extra dry, and up to 12 grams per liter is still considered dry. FatcorkBritain’s bottle innovation saved ChampagneChampagne wouldn’t be where it is today without a surprising partner: 17th-century British glassmakers. An energy crisis caused by deforestation—not enough trees to burn—led to the search for an alternative fuel source. Enter coal. The plentiful resource burned much hotter than wood, creating stronger glass that could stand up to the pressure of the carbon monoxide produced by the wine’s second fermentation and solving one of the fledgling industry’s most vexing problems. Atlas ObscuraChampagne’s fizz used to be considered a flawThe bubbliness that we love now was once considered a winemaking failure. In fact, Dom Pérignon probably would have referred to it by its common nickname at the time, "vin du diable," or devil’s wine. The wine’s volatility often caused bottles to explode, which was both dangerous and costly. It wasn’t until the development of sturdier bottles and more consistent winemaking techniques that popularity truly soared. The Good Life FranceStrict rules dictate the making of ChampagneSome regulations, such as geographical area and grape varieties, are fairly well known. But to be true Champagne, winemakers must follow guidelines for all sorts of finicky things, including pruning, press yield (how much juice is extracted from the grapes), alcohol content, vineyard management, and aging, among others. SevenFiftyChampagne has a rich history in hip-hopThe drink is both aspirational and a bragging right. Famous artists name-check brands like Cristal, and up-and-comers long for the day when sparkling wine will flow like water. The trend traces back to the early 1990s and Branson B., “hip-hop’s unofficial sommelier.” The Harlem-based artist would bring bottles of his favorite bubbly to parties, celebrations, and, crucially, recording studios, where friends like the Notorious B.I.G. were laying down some of rap’s foundational tracks. Last BubblesDom Pérignon was a 17th-century French monk often inaccurately credited with inventing ChampagneYou’ve probably heard of Dom Pérignon the brand, but what do you know about Dom Pérignon the man? He is often credited with inventing Champagne—which is why the iconic (and expensive) Champagne house is named after him—but the truth is he simply pioneered many methods for manufacturing it. History HitChampagne bubbles: the scienceAs you uncork that bottle and raise your glass, take time to toast physics and chemistry along with the New Year. Knowable MagazineRoosevelt joined the NAACP and campaigned for anti-lynching laws—even receiving a $25K bounty from the KKKEleanor Roosevelt joined the NAACP board, lobbied for a federal anti-lynching law, and pushed to integrate the Army Nurse Corps—often going beyond the support her husband was willing to give to racial justice efforts. Her advocacy made her a target: The Ku Klux Klan placed a $25,000 bounty on her head. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and MuseumJustice Oliver Wendell Holmes championed the idea of speech as a 'marketplace of ideas'In his landmark dissent in Abrams v. United States, Justice Holmes argued that the best way to combat harmful ideas is through open competition—a principle that became foundational to modern First Amendment law. National Constitution CenterMosaic is credited for making the World Wide Web accessible to everyday people—not just scientists—for the first timeMosaic was a web browser that allowed people to more easily access webpages on the World Wide Web. But unlike previous browsers, Mosaic was a graphical browser, which means it displayed images alongside text. This helped turn the web from a place for scientists into a cultural location that captured people's attention. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Voltaire's writing sent him into exileIn 1717, the writer's satirical poem "La Henriade" landed him in prison for a year. By 1726, the French government's distaste for his work caused him to leave the country for England, though he returned a few years later. That would be short-lived: In 1734, his "Lettres Philosophiques" sent him packing again, moving to Champagne, then Berlin, then Switzerland, before finally returning to Paris in 1778. HISTORYThe abolitionist movement long predated the Civil WarBeginning in the late 18th century, abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and Sojourner Truth campaigned through newspapers, lectures, and political action to end slavery. HISTORYLiquor merchant Carl Conrad registered the ‘Budweiser’ trademark in 1878He helped commercialize the beer and licensed the Budweiser name. Before working with Anheuser-Busch, Conrad was a US importer of wines, champagnes, and liquors. Brookston Beer BulletinEliza Scidmore advocated for planting cherry trees in Washington, DC, in the early 1900sThe first female writer for National Geographic, Scidmore championed planting Japanese cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. Her idea succeeded in 1912, after years of lobbying, creating one of the National Mall's most enduring traditions and tourist draws. TodayThe Sundance Film Festival is named after a Robert Redford characterRedford purchased a plot of land in Utah in 1969, calling it Sundance Mountain Resort, a nod to his role in the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Soon after purchasing the land, he began hosting workshops to develop young artists. The Sundance Film Festival (originally called the Utah/US Film Festival) was first held in 1978 and was intended to draw attention to independent cinema. HISTORY'Salud!' is a toast to one's healthThe word is a shortened form of “para tu salud,” or “for your health.” The toast has become popular in Spanish-speaking countries as a shorthand for good health and general well-wishing. In Peru, the toast is usually made on New Year’s Eve with a sparkling wine, like Champagne or pisco sour. Wine EnthusiastThe man who championed the ‘case method’ for higher ed later found it insensitiveThe "case method" style of education is core to most MBA programs across the country. Recent research posits that Wallace Donham’s (who is credited with establishing the method as a force at Harvard Business School in the 1920s) views on the method changed in later years. QuartzThe Erie Canal was opened Oct. 25, 1825, with a group of boats from Buffalo to NYCThe unlikely engineering project connecting the Midwest to the Atlantic saw a ceremonious opening as Governor Dewitt Clinton rode with a flotilla of boats from Buffalo on Lake Erie to New York City. Mystic Stamp Learning CenterInfrastructure projects in New York are much more difficult todayThe Erie Canal was one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in American history. Many have said such an effort would be impossible today. This article explores why that is the case and ponders the future of large-scale American infrastructure development. Vital CityDeWitt Clinton’s “Big Ditch” gamble transformed New YorkMocked as “Clinton’s Folly” and “Clinton’s Big Ditch,” New York Gov. DeWitt Clinton championed the Erie Canal against skeptics. His political drive secured funding for the project in 1817. Tour CayugaPropaganda became a key weapon in the US–Soviet Cold WarBoth superpowers waged a global battle for hearts and minds through propaganda—using film, radio, art and education to promote their values. The US emphasized freedom and prosperity, while the USSR championed socialism and anti-imperialism. Comrade GallerySpringsteen played in several groups in Asbury Park, including one massive jam bandDr. Zoom and the Sonic Boom featured between 15 and 20 people on stage at any given time, including future E Street Band members like Steven Van Zandt and Jersey Shore mainstay Southside Johnny. The band was not entirely serious, sometimes featuring someone who "played Monopoly" rather than an instrument. NewJerseyStage.comThe League of Nations was the predecessor to the UN—and the US never joinedThe League of Nations was the first global organization aimed at maintaining world peace, established in 1920 after World War I. Although US President Woodrow Wilson championed its creation, the United States never joined. US State DepartmentNiagara Falls helped decide the battle between AC and DC power In the 1890s, Niagara Falls became the proving ground for alternating current (AC) when Tesla and Westinghouse built the first large-scale AC hydroelectric plant—defeating Edison’s push for direct current (DC) in the US electrical system. HISTORYThe Fair Labor Standards Act gave workers more time for vacationsThe Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 guaranteed time off for full-time employees, offering the opportunity for more vacations. Passed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and celebrated by the labor movement, the law limited working hours, established overtime pay, and provided a minimum wage. TIMEA trailblazing member of Congress was inspired to champion Title IX because of her own experiences Patsy T. Mink (D-HI) was the first woman of color in Congress and one of the law’s biggest proponents. Before elected office, Mink was rejected from 20 medical schools because of her gender. She went on to law school instead, but still faced discrimination after graduation when she was turned down jobs because she was a married woman. The Library of CongressA part-time teacher in Maryland kickstarted Title IXWhen applying for a fill-time position at the University of Maryland, Bernice Sandler was told she "came on too strong" for a woman, leading her to research legal protections against gender discrimination. She found a 1967 Executive Order prohibiting federally funded institutions from discrimination and used it as the basis for a class action lawsuit that would eventually lead to Title IX. PBSTitle IX was signed into law in 1972Title IX of the Education Amendments Act, signed into law by President Richard Nixon on June 23, 1972, prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. In its five-plus decades, it's been credited with increasing the number of women enrolled in college and shaping the modern world of women’s sports. University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignSheryl Sandberg's 'Lean In' book championed similar philosophies as the '#Girlboss' bookSheryl Sandberg left her top executive position at Facebook around the same time that other girlboss-era founders stepped down from their companies or faced backlash about how they treated their employees. An article explores the part Sandberg played in the girlboss movement, and why her Facebook exit was significant. CNN'No taxation without representation' was championed by British lawmaker William PittBritish parliamentarian William Pitt laid out the argument supporting “no taxation without representation,” a major feature of the colonial debate around the Stamp Act in 1765. Arguing taxes are valid, Pitt acknowledged they aren’t if those taxed don’t have representation in the body that passes the tax laws. EBSCO Information ServicesRockefeller heir Rebekah Harkness served as inspiration for Taylor SwiftIn 2020, Taylor Swift wrote a song that highlighted her similarities to Rebekah Harkness, the former owner of Swift's Rhode Island beach house. Harkness filled the Rhode Island home's pool with champagne, courtesy of her late husband, a Standard Oil heir. VogueSparkling wine was a political tool in the Soviet UnionTo show the world that the Soviet Union had recovered after the devastating famine of the early 1930s, leader Josef Stalin turned to a surprising source: sparkling wine. Stalin believed that if everyday citizens could access luxury goods like caviar and Champagne, it would show socialism had succeeded. The result was Sovetskoye Shampanskoye, a Soviet-made sparkler that achieved his goal of availability and affordability if not quality. Atlas ObscuraProsecco—Italy's sparkling wine—is produced using the tank methodItaly’s best-known sparkling wine, Prosecco, has many similarities to Champagne. However, Prosecco performs its secondary fermentation in a different manner. Rather than taking place in the bottle using the French method, fermentation of Prosecco takes place in large, pressurized steel tanks, making it easier to produce on a large scale. The technique results in light, fresh flavors and plenty of bubbles. Jamie Oliver - DrinksCava is Spain's sparkling wineChampagne is delicious, but it’s not the most budget-friendly beverage. Cava is a Spanish wine produced through the same traditional method used to make Champagne but often sold at a lower price. Cava can be produced in several different regions, offering the possibility of more diversity than what is typically found in Champagne. Wine EnthusiastOne of the Widow Clicquot’s many innovations was the process of riddlingRiddling involves storing Champagne bottles at an angle and methodically turning them in order to collect any sediment in the neck of the bottle. The technique—which was kept a strict secret—cut down on both time and waste, allowing the House of Clicquot to outsell its competitors for decades until word inevitably leaked and riddling became the standard. Dr. Konstantin Frank WineryMany chemicals used in fracking fluid have been classified as toxicAlthough the fluid has been known to leach into drinking water supplies, raising health concerns, fracking is exempt from federal clean water regulations due to a loophole in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 championed by former US Vice President Dick Cheney. The ConversationThe Beat Generation inspired significant parts of 1960s countercultureThe Beat Generation championed the transformative power of psychedelics, rebelled against the post-war social order, and called for more radical politics. With a strong foothold in San Francisco, it's no surprise these themes were carried over to the city's 1960s counterculture, informing the larger national hippie movement. University of VirginiaJames Webb championed both space science and human spaceflight at NASAAs NASA Administrator during the 1960s, Webb prioritized a balanced approach between manned missions and scientific research, fostering advancements in astronomy, robotic exploration, and university involvement. Despite having no background in science or engineering, Webb oversaw more than 75 space science mission. NASA
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