A legacy of Roman tribes, monks and kings! Absa | Corporate and Investment Banking > Insights and Events > A legacy of Roman tribes, monks and kings! SHARE Champagne is a sparkling wine synonymous with celebration, elegance and luxury. The wine’s name comes from the Champagne region in north-eastern France, where the delectable bubbles were first produced in the 17th century. The history of Champagne is a tale of innovation, luxury and resilience influenced by the events that shaped France since the 1600s. The Remi tribe The origins of Champagne date to the 5th century when the Roman Empire was in decline, and the Champagne region was inhabited by a tribe known as the Remi. The Remi were sheep farmers who were known for producing wine, and they continued to do so even after the fall of the Roman Empire. The wine they produced was a still wine made from Pinot Noir and was not yet sparkling. The monks Legend has it that a Benedictine monk named Dom Pérignon (cellar master at the Abbey of Hautvillers) first produced the sparkle, but evidence suggests that it was a cumulative effort of experimentation to which Pérignon was a significant contributor. He experimented with various grape blends and winemaking techniques to create a superior wine suitable for the French nobility’s table. The kings Clovis, king of the Franks, was baptised into the Christian faith in Reims and from that time on, all French kings were crowned in Reims. The coronations were accompanied by sumptuous feasts, where the local wine, Champagne, was served. When Louis XIV, the Sun King, first tasted Champagne in the glorious cathedral of Reims, he became a proponent and thereafter he associated Champagne with his other obsessions: fashion, prestige and opulence. The revolution Champagne’s rise to prominence coincided with the introduction of corks and thicker bottles allowing for the wine to be stored and transported in its effervescent state. Previously, the gas given off while in storage, which caused the wines to bubble, tended to escape from the casks but now it could be preserved in the bottles. The wine’s delicate fizz won over the aristocracy and its popularity spread… assisted, in part, by the revolution. As French aristocrats fled the country, they took with them their love of Champagne. The wine became a symbol of luxury and celebration in Europe, and it gained popularity around the world. The expansion In the 19th century, due to technological advances, the production of Champagne increased, and it became more accessible to a larger market. In 1837, a pharmacist, Jean-Baptiste François, developed a reliable method for accurately measuring the amount of sugar to be added to the wine for optimal effervescence. Considerably fewer bottles broke as a result! The Champagne region was now a major centre of commerce, and Champagne producers began exporting their wine to new markets around the world. The appellation Disaster struck in 1863 when grape phylloxera reached Europe’s shores. Virtually the whole of the area under vine was decimated by the insect. Growers realised that they needed to work together to survive and so started the Champagne Viticultural Association (AVC). The AVC set about replanting vineyards by grafting the Champagne vine shoot onto an American rootstock, which was resistant to the insect. This cooperation intensified to protect the traditions and values of Champagne. In 1887, the AVC obtained a ruling whereby the term Champagne shall refer exclusively to wine produced in and sourced exclusively from the Champagne region. It is now a highly regulated appellation to ensure quality and authenticity, the Comité Champagne even specifies the height and spacing of the vines! Today, the region is home to more than 300 Champagne houses. From its humble beginnings as a still wine to its rise to royal preference, Champagne has become synonymous with celebration and elegance, an image rooted in tradition and obsessive adherence to quality. https://cib.absa.africa/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/file_example_MP3_700KB.mp3 Related Articles CHAMPAGNE Timeless Elegance: De Venoge Champagne As we raise our glasses to celebrate the festive season, it seems fitting to delve into the world of a renowned Champagne house that has stood the test of time with grace and sophistication. De Venoge stands for excellence, heritage, and nearly two centuries of crafting fine Champagne. Read more CHAMPAGNE Champagne Boizel – “One family, one house, one tradition” Interview with David Rieu, Export Manager Champagne Boizel. Welcome to a rainy Johannesburg! I believe you have just got off the plane from France? Read more CHAMPAGNE Champagne Pol Roger – the most British of Champagnes Interview with Derek Kilpin, Managing Director – Great Domaines Read more The Champagne in Africa team support enjoying life and the responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages are not for persons under the age of 18. Please remember to drink responsibly.
