25 Fun Facts About Champagne You Probably Didn’t Know

Pop! Fizz! Clink! There’s something magical about opening a bottle of Champagne, isn’t there? It’s the drink of celebrations, fancy parties, and special moments.

“Did you know that the secret to the perfect Champagne experience isn’t just the bottle—it’s the tools! Professional catering equipment keeps bottles at the ideal temperature and ensures each glass is poured just right, whether at a grand celebration or an intimate toast.”

But how much do you really know about Champagne? Get ready to impress your friends with these 25 fun facts about Champagne!

1. Champagne Only Comes from France

Not all bubbly wines are Champagne! To be legally called Champagne, the wine must come from the Champagne region in northeastern France and follow strict production rules. This includes using specific grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier) and following the Méthode Champenoise, a traditional process where the bubbles form naturally through secondary fermentation in the bottle.

If a sparkling wine is made anywhere else—even in other parts of France—it cannot be labelled as Champagne. Instead, it takes on different names depending on its origin and production method:

• France (outside Champagne): “Crémant” (e.g., Crémant de Loire, Crémant d’Alsace)
• Italy: Prosecco (made using a different fermentation process)
• Spain: Cava
• Germany & Austria: Sekt
• Australia & USA: Simply “sparkling wine” (although some high-quality ones use the Champagne method)

So, what makes Champagne so special? The region’s unique chalky soil and cool climate. The deep chalk layers beneath Champagne’s vineyards help retain heat and moisture, giving the grapes their distinctive acidity and minerality. This is why true Champagne has a finer, more complex taste compared to most other sparkling wines.

2. Champagne Is Made Using Red Grapes

Champagne is made using red grapes like Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, even though it looks like white wine. This happens because the juice inside these grapes is clear! When making Champagne, winemakers press the grapes gently to avoid extracting the red colour from the skins.

Unlike red wine, which gets its colour from extended contact with grape skins, Champagne is fermented without the skins, resulting in its pale golden colour. That’s the only difference between a red and a white wine—how long the juice stays in contact with the grape skins!

3. Champagne Was an Accident!

Monks were trying to make still wine, but the bubbles appeared by mistake. A monk named Dom Pérignon helped improve the process—yes, that’s the name of a fancy Champagne!

At first, winemakers thought the bubbles were a flaw, but Dom Perignon worked to control and refine them. He developed techniques to blend different grape varieties for better taste, strengthened the bottles to withstand the pressure, and improved the second fermentation process, which happens inside the bottle. His work laid the foundation for the delicious sparkling wine we now enjoy!

4. There Are About 49 Million Bubbles in One Bottle

Imagine trying to count them all! Scientists actually did the maths for us. The characteristic bubbles form when carbon dioxide is released during fermentation. The more bubbles, the more effervescence in your glass!

5. The Pressure Inside a Champagne Bottle Is Super Strong

The high pressure inside a Champagne bottle requires a special wire cage (muselet) to hold the cork securely in place. Without it, the cork could pop unexpectedly, given that the pressure inside can be three times stronger than a car tyre!

6. The Fastest Cork Ever Recorded Flew at 41.4 km/h!

The Guinness World Record for the fastest Champagne cork speed is 11.5 metres per second (41.4 km/h), recorded under controlled conditions. That’s about the same speed as a professional cyclist racing at full speed—or a strong kick in a football match! Now, imagine that force hitting you in the eye. Ouch!

Some estimates suggest that, under the right pressure conditions, a cork could potentially reach even higher speeds, making it essential to handle bottles carefully. A Champagne cork under pressure can be dangerous, so always point the bottle away from people when opening it.

7. Marilyn Monroe Once Took a Champagne Bath

She used 350 bottles to fill her bathtub. Now that’s a bubbly bath! The Champagne bath perfectly fit her Hollywood glamour style.

Champagne baths were not entirely unheard of among the rich and famous, as some believed that the bubbles and natural acids in Champagne could soften the skin and leave it feeling refreshed. However, Monroe’s bath remains one of the most well-known and extravagant examples of this trend.

8. The Tallest Champagne Tower Was Over 8 Metres High

It took nearly 55,000 coupes to build and make it into the Guinness World Record. This impressive feat was achieved in Dubai in 2022 by a team of skilled professionals. They carefully stacked the glasses in a pyramid formation, ensuring each one was perfectly balanced.

When the Champagne was poured into the top glass, it cascaded down like a sparkling waterfall, filling every glass below. The idea of Champagne towers dates back to grand celebrations of the past, symbolising luxury and elegance.

9. Champagne Bottles Come in Many Sizes

The standard bottle is 750ml, but there’s a giant 30-litre bottle called the Melchizedek. That’s 40 regular bottles in one! Imagine trying to pour from that!

Champagne bottles come in all sorts of sizes, from the tiny special one-pint bottle (called the pint bottle) for solo enjoyment to massive collector’s editions used for grand celebrations. The names of these oversized bottles, like Jeroboam, Methuselah, and Nebuchadnezzar, come from biblical kings, adding to their majestic appeal!

10. The Shape of the Glass Matters

Did you know the shape of your glass affects how Champagne tastes and bubbles? Flute glasses are tall and narrow, helping to keep bubbles alive for longer, while coupe glasses—the short, wide ones—let bubbles escape much faster, making the Champagne feel smoother but less fizzy. A flute glass, compared to a coupe, shows how differently bubbles behave.

And here’s a fun mystery: Some say the coupe glass was designed after Marie Antoinette’s breast as a tribute to her! Fact or fiction? No one knows for sure, but it makes for a great conversation starter at your next Champagne toast!

11. Champagne Used to Be for Kings and Queens

French royalty loved it, and it became a symbol of wealth and luxury. Kings and queens in the Champagne region enjoyed it at lavish banquets, believing its bubbly stuff had magical qualities. Even during the French Revolution, Champagne remained a drink for the elite, as it was expensive and associated with nobility.

It was often used in royal ceremonies and extravagant celebrations, solidifying its reputation as a drink of power and prestige. Today, Champagne is still linked to special occasions, but luckily, you don’t have to be a king or queen to enjoy it!

12. Napoleon Bonaparte Started the Tradition of Champagne Sabrage

Ever seen someone slice open a Champagne bottle with a sword? That’s called sabrage, and it dates back to Napoleon Bonaparte’s time! His soldiers used to celebrate victories by slicing the tops off bottles with their sabres.

Even the Russian army picked up on the tradition after battles. Today, many Champagne houses perform sabrage at special events. If you ever try it, just be sure to use a good Champagne—you wouldn’t want to waste a limited edition bottle!

13. James Bond Drinks More Champagne Than Martinis

Think James Bond’s drink of choice is a martini? Not quite! While he does enjoy a “shaken, not stirred” cocktail, he actually drinks more Champagne in both the books and movies.

Brands like Bollinger and Dom Pérignon (two famous French brands) make frequent appearances. Turns out, 007’s favourite tipple is just as classy as he is!

14. Cold Champagne Is Less Fizzy

Ever noticed that really cold Champagne’s bubbles don’t fizz as much? That’s because carbon dioxide (CO₂) dissolves better in colder liquids. The warmer the champagne, the more the regular bubbles rush to escape! If you love that fizzy sensation, don’t overchill your bottle—about 7–10°C (45–50°F) is just right.

15. The World’s Most Expensive Champagne Costs Over £1.5 Million!

Yes, you read that right! The most expensive bottle of Champagne ever sold cost over £1.5 million. It was a limited edition bottle of Goût de Diamants (“Taste of Diamonds”), designed with a diamond-shaped label made of white gold and a 19-carat diamond in the centre!

At that price, you’d probably be too scared to open it. Even Lady Gaga, who loves a glass of Champagne, might think twice about popping this one!

16. The Titanic Had 1,500 Bottles of Champagne Onboard

The Titanic was a luxury ship, so of course, it carried plenty of fancy drinks, including 1,500 bottles of Champagne. Sadly, most of those bottles are still sitting at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. But some bottles from old shipwrecks have been recovered, and experts say they still taste pretty good—even after more than a century!

17. Shaking a Champagne Bottle Makes It Explode Because of Physics

Ever wondered why shaking a Champagne bottle makes the cork fly off like a rocket? It’s all about gas pressure! Champagne is packed with carbon dioxide that’s trapped under pressure. When you shake the bottle, the bubbles trapped inside get even more excited. The second you pop the cork, the pressure releases, and BOOM—the gas forms carbon dioxide, rushing out with the liquid!

18. Champagne Has Fewer Calories Than Red or White Wine

Good news for those watching their calories! A glass of Champagne usually has fewer calories than red or white wine. A standard flute of bubbly has about 80–90 calories, while a glass of red wine can have 120–150. Champagne, especially extra brut, has even less sugar, making it a better drink if you want something lighter.

19. The Sound of a Champagne Cork Popping Is Loud!

That satisfying loud pop! when you open a bottle? It’s actually as loud as a gunshot—around 100 decibels! That’s why Champagne corks can be dangerous if you’re not careful.

A flying cork can travel up to 40 km/h (25 mph) and has 90 pounds of pressure per square inch behind it. That’s a lot of force!

However, if you want to open a bottle of Champagne safely or like the professionals, then all you should hear is a small hiss or whisper.

20. People Once Thought Champagne Had Magical Healing Powers

Hundreds of years ago, people believed Champagne could cure illnesses and boost energy. Some even called it the “wine of kings” because royals drank it to stay healthy.

It was also once called “devil’s wine” because early bottles often exploded due to pressure issues! While it won’t cure your cold, Champagne does have antioxidants that could be good for your heart (when enjoyed in moderation, of course!).

21. You Can Pour Champagne Without It Overflowing

Ever poured Champagne and ended up with foam everywhere? There’s a trick to avoid that! Instead of pouring straight down into the glass, tilt the glass at an angle and pour down the side.

This keeps the bubble trains from fizzing up too much, so you don’t waste any precious Champagne. Cheers to that!

22. Winston Churchill Loved His Champagne!

Winston Churchill was one of the biggest Champagne drinkers in history. He was a huge fan of Pol Roger, a famous Champagne house, and drank it almost daily. He once said, “In victory, I deserve it. In defeat, I need it.” That’s some serious dedication to his favourite tipple!

23. Some of the World’s Oldest Bottles of Champagne Are Over 200 Years Old!

Imagine drinking Champagne from the early 1800s! Some of the world’s oldest bottles were discovered in a shipwreck in the Baltic Sea. The bottles, aged over 200 years, were perfectly preserved underwater, and experts say the taste is still surprisingly good. That’s the magic of a well-sealed bottle!

24. Champagne Labels Tell You More Than You Think

Ever looked closely at a Champagne label? It reveals a lot! Terms like “Brut”, “Extra Brut”, and “Demi-Sec” tell you how sweet the Champagne is.

Some labels even include the Meunier grapes, a key grape variety used in Champagne production. Next time you pick a bottle, check the label—it might just help you choose the better drink!

25. Global Champagne Day Is a Real Thing!

Love Champagne? You’re not alone! Every year, the world celebrates World Champagne Day on the fourth Friday of October. It’s a day to enjoy fun Champagne facts, pop open bottles, and appreciate the art of drinking Champagne. Mark your calendar, and make sure to raise a toast!

Raise Your Glass to These Fun Facts About Champagne

Champagne is more than just a drink—it’s a symbol of celebration, history, and craftsmanship. From the moment Champagne starts its journey in the vineyard to the expertise of a cellar master crafting each bottle, every sip tells a story.

The Champagne industry has brought us centuries of tradition, and whether you’re raising your first glass or discovering unique varieties like grey wine, there’s always more to explore. For restaurant owners, offering a well-curated Champagne selection can elevate the dining experience, impress guests, and contribute to running a successful restaurant. After all, good Champagne isn’t just about taste—it’s about creating unforgettable moments.

So next time you pop a bottle, take a moment to appreciate the fascinating world behind those golden bubbles.