Champagne is the drink of festive occasions. The elegant drink has its ceremony, whether we mean opening it or drinking it. Of course, many people greet you with other drinks on festive occasions. On one day of the year, however, it is quite certain that everyone toasts with champagne, even if they are not particularly fans of this juice. What could be the reason for this? How did champagne drinking spread on New Year's Eve?
It is not easy to answer this question, but the most likely explanation is that champagne was initially the coronation drink of French kings. In other words, it was a privilege to drink champagne. Later, the discovery of the French Benedictine monk Perignon spread among the nobility and then among the common people. So it was and remains a festive drink to this day , and it was also an accessory for royal coronations.
Since on New Year's Eve we not only say goodbye to the old year, but also welcome the new year, if you like, we can crown the year ahead with the special drink. This is how midnight champagne drinking could develop worldwide.
The word itself is special. I think the Hungarian word is the most appropriate for the drink. In German they say sekt, in English sparklingwine, in Italian spumante, in Russian sampanskoye. The name "sampányer" used to be used in our country, but István Széchenyi - like many others - also created the Hungarian equivalent of the name of the French drink.
The word is very expressive: champagne. But the preparation, storage and serving of the drink are also expressive. For example, in 1735 a royal decree already regulated what champagne could be sold in, and today it cannot be sold in anything. The thick-walled mace-shaped bottles were replaced by the cylindrical shape. The colored glass protects the drink. The impression at the bottom, although it spread in the 19th century. This indentation has several roles. In addition to the thickness of the glass, this also plays a role in equalizing the pressure, but it also holds back the small sediments in matured champagnes.
Champagne is all the more valuable the more and smaller the diameter of the pearling gas spheres and the longer they are intensively and garland-like on the surface of the drink. Of course, its character also includes color, smell and aroma. Charging also complies with regulations. After removing the sealing film and the wire basket, hold the cork and the neck of the bottle firmly with your left hand, and twist the bottle to the left with your right hand, which is approx. We are at a 45 degree angle.
Cheers! We wish all our dear readers a happy New Year!
(Cover image source: borakademia.hu)
