Newton’s First Law is What Helps Make Sparkling Wine So Special

When you open a bottle of sparkling wine, you may be interested in knowing what winery produced the bottle and what year the wine was made. With that said, one interesting concept binds every single bottle of bubbly together, regardless of where, how, and when it was made. That concept is Newton’s First Law.

The First Law of Inertia Shapes the Champagne Experience

The First Law of Inertia, which was formulated by Isaac Newton in the 17th century, states that an object that is at rest, and an object that is in motion, will both remain as such unless an external force acts upon it. During secondary fermentation, the yeast in Champagne consumes the sugar, and this, in turn, creates carbon dioxide

As the bottle is sealed, the gas dissolves under the intense pressure, at around six atmospheres. At this point, the cork stops the gas from escaping. Opposing forces work together to create a balance, as the gas is pushing outward, but the wire cage, glass neck, and cork are all pushing back with just as much force. The instant you twist the cork, the restraining force is removed. Newton’s First Law then applies, as the cork accelerates forward, and the force is changed. Imperfections in a wine glass, or nucleation points, allow the carbon dioxide to form bubbles. As the bubbles grow, the surface tension is broken, and the bubbles rise.

The Principle isn’t Unique to Wine

Newton’s First Law doesn’t just apply to Champagne and sparkling wine. A car driving down the motorway will continue to do so if it weren’t for friction and air resistance. If someone takes up ice skating and they start spinning, they will continue to do so, unless friction, air drag, or imbalance intervenes. Even spinning roulette wheels follow the First Law. The wheel and ball keep moving smoothly until gravity, collision, and friction disrupt the inertia. Online casino games follow the same concept by using random number generators and algorithms to simulate the forces in our everyday lives, turning them into a digital concept that creates realism at scale.

Newton’s First Law is everywhere, and interestingly, some wine connoisseurs even use it to their advantage. When you swirl Champagne in a glass before drinking it, the liquid moves in a single direction until external forces stop it, whether it’s the friction of the glass or the speed at which the glass is being swirled. This motion releases the bubbles gradually, releasing notes like brioche, apple, pear, or even citric notes. The tiny bubbles rising in a glass also demonstrate inertia in action, as they keep moving until they reach the surface. This is why pouring Champagne at an angle reduces the froth, as the motion is controlled, and the inertia reaction is restrained to create a more balanced tasting experience.

Out of all the different types of wine out there, Newton’s First Law applies most to sparkling wine. Whether you’re popping a cork as a celebration or to simply taste a fine bottle from years ago, the First Law is what makes the moment when you pop the cork feel so special.