6 secrets no one ever tells you about Champagne
by Veronica Golawski - September 2, 2017
As proper fizzoholics, we love all sparkling wine – from crisps Crémants to sparkling Rosés, it’s the quality that counts the most! But we can’t deny the allure of the fizz with a fancy reputation: Champagne. The hefty price tag and posh reputation often keep this sparkler from being a part of our day-to-day fizzy fun, but this is a big mistake!
There’s no reason Champagne shouldn’t be a staple in your bubbly collection – and we’re here to dispel the myths and rumours and reveal all the reasons why. Pop, fizz, clink away!
1. Champagne is not just for celebrating
Old houses like Veuve Cliquot and Krug have built their luxurious reputations upon branding Champagne as the perfect drink for celebrating. While it’s true that popping a glass of bubbly in itself now seems to be synonymous with celebration, there’s no reason why this drink needs to be stored away for a momentous occasion to be enjoyed. With a wide variety of Champagnes to pick and choose from, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be living the ‘Champagne lifestlye’ all the time!
2. It’s the type of wine lowest in calories
Image via Grapefriend
Thank you carbonation, for not only giving our fizz the kick we love but for dropping the calorie count, as well! A glass of red wine can rack up to 200 calories per glass, depending on how heavy it is; white wines tend to be lower in calories and average around 150; sparkling wines? A flute of Brut Champagne can come in as little as 84 calories. For those watching their waistlines – the choice is a no-brainer!
3. You don’t need to drink it out of a flute
Have you steered away from Champagne because you don’t have the right gear? Well, the reality is that you don’t need a flute to properly enjoy this drink – in fact, experts say it’s almost better to enjoy it out of a regular wine glass! The wider rim of the glass allows you to better enjoy the aromas of the fizz. If you don’t want to eschew the elegance altogether, why not opt for the equally fashionable coupe?
4. It’s not always expensive
As with all great wines, Champagne comes in a variety of shapes, sizes… and prices. Dom Pérignon may be one of the best Champagnes in the world, but you can get fizz that doesn’t break the bank and still tastes great at your local shop! Sommeliers and wine lovers have found low-cost gems everywhere from Lidl to Sainsbury’s – so take a walk down the wine aisle next time and you may discover a treat.
5. It has some surprisingly good things in it
We mentioned that Champagne is significantly lower in calories than it’s non-fizzy counterparts, but did you know the bottle of bubbly has other benefits, too? Of course you shouldn’t start chugging sparkling wine hoping to become a shining beacon of health, but next time you have yourself a sip of Champagne remember it’s jam-packed full of polyphenols – types of antioxidants that work to help your heart, spatial memory and blood pressure.
6. It’s the best sparkling wine you can buy
Just because it’s called Champagne doesn’t mean it’s the best sparkling wine out there. Increasingly, regions in Italy, Spain and all over the world are producing better, higher-quality wines that rival those that come from the French region. Many of our favourites – like last month’s Cava or September’s South African Kaapse Vonkel – are made using the same ‘Champagne method’. As many of us know, Champagne is a term only allowed to be attributed to wines from the region, but if you ever see ‘Metodo Classico’, ‘Méthode Cap Classique’ or ”Méthode Traditionelle’ it refers to the same process.
