How To Drink Champagne
When the bubbles were first discovered in champagne they weren’t intentional and great effort was gone to to recreate them. Over time the sparkling wine started to grow in popularity and was soon declared a favourite of the noble and wealthy especially in the French courts of the 16th century. Today champagne has its own customs that say how it should be drunk in keeping with its persona of affluence.
The champagne flute is the more preferred vessel to consume the drink from today rather than the traditional coupe. Champagne is a completely unique drink and it has its own unique glass designed and shaped specifically to ensure the drink is consumed at its best. The long stem of the flute serves the same purpose as the traditional wine glass. Holding the stem rather than the body of the glass will stop body heat warming the drink. The tall thin design of the flute is also to keep as many bubbles as possible by exposing as little of the drink to the air. When champagne is being served at a party the design of the flute means plenty of glasses can fit onto a serving tray. The traditional champagne flute is rumoured to be modelled on the breasts of various French aristocrats but is often used today for champagne fountains. Using crystal champagne glasses will produce more bubbles because the texture is slightly rougher than traditional glass. Although champagne should always be served chilled, the champagne glasses should never be chilled before use.
Champagne is normally consumed on special occasions or for celebrations so is always best enjoyed however the celebrator chooses. The primary directive of the champagne flute design is to keep your champagne sparkling and bubbly. Although only sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France may call itself champagne, most sparkling wines will offer the same sparkle and air of opulence.
