Champagne Day is October 19 – Here’s How to Celebrate!

We have a mission on Friday, October 19: celebrate Champagne Day! I don’t think this is a difficult charge for anyone who loves this this beautiful and unique sparkling wine that only comes from the region of Champagne in France. The idea of Champagne being used as a celebratory drink began in the court of the French royalty centuries ago as they toasted to the arts, conquests, love (and any other reason). You don’t have to be royal, though, to enjoy a glass full of bubbles, although it’s easy to feel like one with each sip. To be sure, there should be no barriers to drinking Champagne!

Where exactly is Champagne? Located about 90 miles northeast of Paris, hillside homes and underground cellars dot the landscape in the four main growing regions: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, and Côte des Bar.  These regions are in the northernmost zone for vine cultivation and continental and oceanic influences abound.  Often, debilitating winter frosts, vast amount of sunshine in the summer, cool temperatures, and consistent rainfall are elements that affect each harvest.

Let’s raise our glass to Champagne! You don’t have a flute? Pour Champagne in a whatever you choose and begin the festivities! A food for pairing? Anything! I love a glass or two with salads, cheeses, paninis, fried chicken or popcorn. A Blanc de Blanc is delightful with seafood and sushi and a Blanc de Noir makes your roast chicken served with a sauce the best dish of all times. A vibrant Rosé is  exceptional with dried fruit-based desserts or chocolates. And all pair with caviar!

Certainly, we’re able to celebrate Champagne Day by popping a cork and pouring. But Jennifer Hall, has more ideas shared below. And she should know. Jennifer is the Director of The Champagne Bureau, USA, the official US representative of the Comité Champagne, a trade association which represents all the grape growers and houses of Champagne, France. As she writes, “A day dedicated to Champagne – what could be better? This is when wine enthusiasts around the globe raise a glass to the quintessential wine of celebration and good cheer. The 2018 celebration takes place on October 19. It’s a social media event made possible by YOU!”

All in? Let’s celebrate Champagne Day!

1. Pop a Bottle. Simply open a bottle of Champagne and enjoy a glass with the people who make your life special.
2. Host Friends. Invite friends and family over for a Champagne tasting. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get together and taste multiple wines from Champagne side-by-side.
3. Organize a Game Night. Organize a Champagne trivia night in your home or at your favorite wine bar. Go to ChampagneCampus.com to find sample questions to ask as you enjoy Champagne.
4. Go Out. Keep an eye out for events taking place at your local retailers, bars and restaurants. Check out the official Champagne Day webpage. If you know of an event but it isn’t listed, send the details to contact@champagne.us and it will be added.
5. Recreate a Champagne memory. Buy a bottle of the Champagne you enjoyed at your wedding, share a bottle of the Champagne you drank on graduation day, have a picnic with the first Champagne you ever tried—whatever means the most to you!
6. Enter the Champagne Day Sweepstakes.  You could have a chance to win a $150 Visa gift card for all your Champagne Day needs. For details and how to enter, check out the official Champagne Day sweepstakes rules.
7. Share Your Photos, Videos and Experiences on Social Media. Be sure to add #ChampagneDay and tag the Champagne Bureau on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Whatever you do to celebrate #ChampagneDay, make sure it is fun, safe and remember that Champagne only comes from Champagne.

Thanks, Jennifer!

Cheers! ~ Cindy