History of Champagne in Timeline
Champagne is a sparkling wine exclusively produced in the Champagne region of France. Its production follows strict regulations, including specific vineyard practices, grape sourcing from designated areas within the region, unique grape-pressing methods, and a secondary fermentation process in the bottle to create its signature carbonation.
1921: Vintage of First Dom Pérignon
The 1921 vintage was used for the first launch of Dom Pérignon by Moët & Chandon in 1936. This vintage became the foundation for the iconic prestige cuvée.
1927: INAO Directive on Champagne Varieties
In 1927, the INAO issued directives concerning the allowed grape varieties in Champagne. These regulations were part of the complex laws governing the region's viticulture.
1927: Last Revision of Champagne Boundaries
The last significant revision of Champagne's legal boundaries occurred in 1927. This adjustment set the stage for future changes, including those considered in 2007.
1929: Continued INAO Regulations
In 1929, the INAO continued to refine the regulations on Champagne grape varieties. These laws ensured the quality and origin control of Champagne production.
1936: Launch of Dom Pérignon
In 1936, Moët & Chandon launched its first publicly available prestige cuvée, Dom Pérignon, with the 1921 vintage. This marked the introduction of a top-of-the-range wine produced to the highest standards.
1938: Conditional Allowances for Champagne Varieties
By 1938, conditional allowances were made for certain grape varieties in Champagne. These regulations maintained the region's strict standards.
1939: "Love Affair" Boosts Rosé Champagne Sales
The 1939 Hollywood film "Love Affair" gave a boost to rosé Champagne sales after its release by featuring its main characters bonding over enjoying the then-unpopular drink.
1942: Scheduled Uprooting of Gamay Vines
In 1942, the Champagne region's Gamay vines were scheduled to be uprooted. However, this action was postponed due to World War II.
1945: Public Availability of Cristal
Cristal, previously produced for the Russian tsar, was made publicly available with the 1945 vintage. This expanded the reach of Louis Roederer's prestigious champagne.
1952: Taittinger's Comtes de Champagne
In 1952, Taittinger introduced its Comtes de Champagne, further contributing to the range of prestige cuvées available to the public.
1953: Vintage Blend for Grand Siècle
One of the vintages used in Laurent-Perrier's Grand Siècle, launched in 1960, was from 1953. This blend exemplified the meticulous selection of high-quality vintages.
1955: Vintage Blend for Grand Siècle
Another vintage used in Laurent-Perrier's Grand Siècle, launched in 1960, was from 1955. This blend added to the prestige of the cuvée.
1960: Laurent-Perrier's Grand Siècle
Laurent-Perrier launched its Grand Siècle 'La Cuvée' in 1960, blending vintages from 1952, 1953, and 1955. This cuvée followed the trend of high-quality, top-of-the-range champagnes.
1962: Final Uprooting of Gamay Vines
By 1962, the delayed uprooting of Gamay vines in the Champagne region was finally completed. This variety was no longer allowed in Champagne production.
1967: Dan Gurney Starts Champagne-Spraying Tradition at Le Mans
At the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans, race car driver Dan Gurney began the tradition of spraying Champagne on the crowd and fellow drivers after his victory.
1973: Pol Roger Ends Production of Pint-Sized Bottles
Pol Roger ceased production in 1973 of the 20 fluid ounce (imperial pint) bottles that were made specifically for the English market between 1874 and 1973.
1994: EU Court Decision on Champagne Terms
In 1994, an EU court decision forbade the use of the terms 'méthode champenoise' and 'Champagne method' for sparkling wines not produced in the Champagne region. This led to the adoption of the term 'méthode traditionnelle'.
1999: Accord with EU on Champagne Name
In 1999, the Swiss government agreed to an accord with the EU, stipulating that the village of Champagne in Switzerland would phase out the use of the name 'Champagne' for their still wine by 2004.
2002: House Drappier Introduces Melchizedek Bottle
As of 2002, the Champagne house Drappier began offering Champagne in Melchizedek bottles, which hold 30 liters.
2004: Phase-Out of Champagne Name in Switzerland
By 2004, the village of Champagne in Switzerland had to phase out the use of the name 'Champagne' for their still wine as per an accord with the EU made in 1999. This led to a significant drop in sales.
2004: Bahrain Bans Champagne Celebrations in Formula 1
In 2004, the Muslim-majority nation of Bahrain prohibited Champagne celebrations on Formula 1 podiums, opting instead for a non-alcoholic drink made from pomegranate and rose water.
2005: Adoption of Méthode Traditionnelle
By 2005, the term 'méthode traditionnelle' became commonly used to describe sparkling wines produced by the second fermentation in the bottle process, but not from the Champagne region.
2006: US Champagne Label Regulations
In 2006, the United States banned the use of the term 'Champagne' for all new U.S.-produced wine brands. Existing brands that had prior approval could continue using the term if accompanied by the wine's actual origin.
2007: Champagne Sales Record
In 2007, champagne sales hit a record of 338.7 million bottles. This milestone reflects the growing global popularity and demand for champagne.
2007: INAO Prepares Boundary Revision
In 2007, the INAO, the government organization that controls wine appellations in France, prepared to revise Champagne's legal boundaries for the first time since 1927. The changes were driven by economic pressures and village demands.
April 2008: Swiss Village Fights Champagne Name Restriction
In April 2008, the villagers of Champagne, Switzerland, voted to fight against the restriction on the use of the name 'Champagne' for their still wine. This was in response to an accord with the EU that required them to phase out the name by 2004.
2008: Destruction of Californian Sparkling Wine
In 2008, more than 3,000 bottles of Californian sparkling wine labelled as 'Champagne' were destroyed by Belgian authorities. This action enforced the legal restrictions on the use of the term 'Champagne'.
2009: Oldest Bottle of Champagne Opened and Deemed Drinkable
A bottle of 1825 Perrier-Jouët Champagne, officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest bottle of Champagne in the world, was opened in 2009 and found to be drinkable.
July 2010: Shipwreck Reveals Treasure Trove of Champagne Bottles
In July 2010, 168 bottles of Champagne were discovered in a shipwreck near the Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea. The bottles, dating back to the early 19th century, included brands like Veuve Clicquot, Juglar, and Heidsieck.
2010: Appellation Regulations Update
The 2010 version of the Champagne appellation regulations listed seven grape varieties as allowed. This update reflected the continued adherence to traditional viticulture practices in the region.
2012: Champagne Celebration for 2012 Olympics
In 2012, British Prime Minister Tony Blair held a champagne reception to celebrate London winning the right to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. This exemplifies the use of champagne in celebratory events.
April 2015: Chemical Analysis Reveals Composition of 170-Year-Old Champagne
In April 2015, researchers released the findings of their chemical analyses of the Champagne found in the Baltic Sea shipwreck. They found that while its chemical composition was similar to modern-day Champagne, it contained significantly more sugar and less alcohol.
2015: Australian Athletes Popularize the "Shoey"
The "shoey," a celebration involving drinking champagne from one's shoe, gained popularity among Australian athletes in 2015.
2020: Impact of Boundary Changes
Changes to Champagne's legal boundaries, prepared in 2007, were not expected to impact grape production until 2020. This indicates a long-term approach to managing the region's appellation.
2021: Russia Bans Imported Champagne Designation
In 2021, Russia banned the use of the designation 'шампанское' for imported sparkling wine, including those from the Champagne region. The term was reserved exclusively for domestically produced sparkling wine.
2023: Expected Decision on Champagne Boundaries
A final decision on the revision of Champagne's legal boundaries, prepared in 2007, was anticipated by 2023. This decision would finalize the changes impacting the region.
2023: Champagne Shipments Expected to Decline Amidst Shifting Consumption Patterns
The Comité Champagne, an industry trade group, reported that Champagne shipments are projected to decrease by 3.7% to 314 million bottles in 2023. While nightclub sales remain robust, consumption in homes is declining.
2024: Potential Final Decision on Boundaries
A final decision on the revision of Champagne's legal boundaries, initially prepared in 2007, was expected by either 2023 or 2024. The outcome would determine the future of the region's appellation.