The holidays present a prime time to try new wines and is the perfect excuse to indulge. What better way to celebrate the season then to pop a bottle of bubbly and toast to the new year.
Our resident Director of Wine, Jill Spoor, has compiled 10 fun facts you probably didn’t know about Champagne.
- Dom Perignon Champagne was named after the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon (1639-1715) who has gone down in history as the man who invented Champagne.
- Champagne has 49 million bubbles in one bottle.
- Marilyn Monroe once had a Champagne bath which required 300 bottles of Champagne.
- Cristal Champagne was named after the lead crystal bottles that were made to serve the Russian Tsars.
- Original Champagne vessels in the 18th century were coups not flutes. Both are very non functional for properly enjoying Champagne as you can’t enjoy the bouquet. White wine glasses are best suited or flutes that are designed with more of a tulip shape.
- The oldest bottles of Champagne were found on a shipwreck on the bottom of the sea between Sweden and Finland. The bottles found date back to the 1830’s and were from Veuve Clicquot and Heidsiek. Due to the cool temperature and darkness of the sea, the Champagne was remarkably preserved.
- De Venoge Champagne House designed Champagne bottles in the shape of 18th century crystal decanters after requests from the Aristocrats whom apparently wanted to decant their Champagne for show.
- The most expensive Champagne is $2.07 million which is bejeweled with a diamond on the bottle.
- Bollinger is the James Bond Champagne.
- A Champagne cork reaches a velocity of 64km/h on average if popped out of the bottle. The longest recorded flight of a cork is 54+ meters.
Feeling like you’re ready for a glass (or two)? Head to Fairmont Pacific Rim where we have compiled an amazing selection of bubbles at The Lobby Lounge and Botanist. See you soon!
