The UNESCO World Heritage listing of Champagne should be announced in June 2015.
After obtaining the exclusive worldwide use of the Champagne name (even Yves Saint Laurent had to change the name of its popular perfume called Champagne, costing millions of dollars to the French luxury brand), this new listing will be very helpful to strengthen its unique status. A major win to fight cheap artificially carbonated fizzy wines, which are currently invading the market. This new major acknowledgement pairs very nicely with the gastronomic cuisine of France granted status as a ‘World Heritage Treasure’ granted by UNESCO in 2010.
During the festive season, it might be a good idea to master the art of Champagne so you make the most of this divine wine. Here are three French etiquette rules to follow by the letter:
Always drink Champagne with food. It’s not beer, or spirit…
Never drink with food that kills Champagne's flavours such as asparagus and, unfortunately, chocolate. So please, don’t eat la Buche de Noel with some Champagne.
Enjoy it out of coupes and not flutes. It’s the latest chic!
Coupes are back in all super chic trendy bars from NYC to Paris. They are the true symbol of chic, glamour and 'classe'. Legend has it that the coupe glass was moulded from Marie-Antoinette's left breast. Others will say it was from the Marquise de Pompadour, Madame du Barry or even the Imperatrice Josephine, Napoleon's wife. Its small size and its rounded shape make it perfect to hold and definitely adds 'allure'. It’s true that flutes are a bit tricky. As author Jarod Kintz puts it: “Am I the only guy that holds a flute of champagne like it’s a musical instrument?”
Nothing can beat the chic of a Piscine (literally Swimming Pool): simply pour quality Champagne over crushed ice in a beautiful coupe... You are back in the glamorous 50s or 60s in Saint-Germain in Paris. Vintage coupes are the choice du jour, new ones aren’t as chic.
A great way of ending your Christmas dinner is to have an ice cream or a sorbet au Champagne from Berthillon, or a few macarons au Champagne from Ladurée, or an éclair au Champagne from Fauchon, a cake au Champagne from Pierre Hermé…
I could go on and on and on. “My only regret in life is that I didn’t drink enough Champagne” (John Maynard Keynes).
Well, I don’t think I’ll ever be like John. Ever!
Yves Calmette is a French born Australia-based nutrition coach, award-winning health promotion expert and Jamie Oliver Food Revolution Ambassador.