The history of champagne

Article 04/12/2015

Centuries of tradition go into the making of champagne. From its origins as a sacred wine, it later became the preferred beverage of kings at their coronation ceremonies. Nowadays we know it as the time-honored wine of special occasions.

 

Discover the history of Champagne, centuries of tradition go into the history of champagne. (Full screen mode on Youtube)

Birth of a terroir

  • 3rd century: Viticulture first appeared in Champagne;
  • 1114: Great Charte champenoise;
  • 16th century: reputation of Aÿ wines.

From a still wine to an effervescent wine

  • 1735: birth of the Champagne bottle, still in use today;
  • 1811: founding of Maison Perrier-Jouët;
  • 1827: founding of Maison Mumm;
  • 19th century: champagne embodied the
    French spirit and became the celebratory wine.

Beginnings of the Champagne appellation

  • 1882: four champagne houses, including Maison Mumm, founded the first trade body, the Syndicat de commerce de vins de Champagne;
  • 1887: the name 'champagne' is reserved for wines from the Champagne region;
  • 1890-1894: phylloxera crisis;
  • 1908: first delimitations of the terroir (15,000 hectares along the Marne and Aisne Rivers);
  • 1911: official establishment of the 'cru ranking';
  • 1927: new regional delimitation.

Struggle for quality

  • 1931-1935: crises caused by overproduction and poor sales;
  • 29 June 1936: creation of the Champagne AOC label to guarantee the quality and authenticity of the terroir;
  • 1941: creation of the CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne), a trade organization bringing together independent champagne producers and Champagne Houses;
  • 2001: launch of sustainable wine growing.

Read also:

 

Tags

On the same topic

  • 2050 Future scenarios - In the face of climate change, what will the convivialité of the future look like?

    Pernod Ricard presents its 2050 Future Scenarios decoding the way climate change will impact potential pathways for how we live, consume and socialise in the year 2050

    Read more
  • Invitation Pernod Ricard - North America webcast FY24

    Join Conor McQuaid Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America as he hosts a Q&A with investors and analysts, 3pm (Paris time) Thursday 28th March

    Read more
  • Pernod Ricard joins World Business Council for Sustainable Development

    Pernod Ricard joins the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), a coalition of global businesses working together to limit the climate crisis, restore nature and tackle inequality, with a vision to build a world where nine billion people are living well and within the boundaries of the planet, by 2050.

    Read more