Wine

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The extraordinary origin stories of ordinary drinks

A thirst for firsts

Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, Veuve Clicquot

Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, Veuve Clicquot

First vintage champagne

The world’s first vintage champagne was made in 1810, just outside the city of Reims in northeastern France, by a bright, bold, business-savvy trailblazing widow (‘veuve’ in French) called Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, forever immortalised as Veuve Clicquot.

4 days ago11 min read

First pink champagne

First pink champagne

First pink champagne

Pink champagne has always been a rare and refined treat, oozing sophistication and glamour. But who was the first to invent it and why?

Oct 25, 20245 min read

First ice wine

First ice wine

First ice wine

Ice wine (Eiswein in German) is a type of dessert wine that can only be produced in teeth-chatteringly cold climates

Aug 13, 20215 min read

First description of sparkling wine

First description of sparkling wine

First description of sparkling wine

Think sparkling wine was invented in France? Think again. The first documented description of ‘secondary fermentation’ (or how to make a...

Jul 17, 20213 min read

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