The story behind champagne on New Year’s Eve

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You know New Year’s is a time to pop the bubbles, but do you know how champagne has become an essential part of the holidays?

You know New Year’s is a time to pop the bubbles, but do you know how champagne has become an essential part of the holidays?

The tradition of this New Year’s libation stems from a widespread custom in the 1800s, especially in America, which rotated around the city until after midnight.

“There was the idea of ​​walking around, meaning you had to wander around the neighborhood and knock on someone’s door expecting them to invite you for a drink,” said Kira Dietz, an expert on food and drink history. who works as assistant director of Special Collections and University Archives at Virginia Tech.

“It didn’t matter who you were, you went around … all day, night, and then until New Years, and it was about visiting, and it was about indulging too, so you were expected to have treats and drinks available, ”he continued.

One of the most popular drinks at the time was a champagne cocktail. The first published recipe for the cocktail dates back to the mid-1800s, which involved a glass of champagne with a lump of sugar and a pinch or two of bitters.

So why champagne? There was a growing middle class at the time, as well as technological advances that made champagne bottles cheaper. Putting these two things together allowed that growing middle class to afford bottles of champagne, which had previously been considered an upper-class treat.

The idea was that if you want to invite people, offer them something elegant, yet affordable.

In addition to champagne, there are other foods traditionally linked to the New Year celebrations.

“In the south, you might see Hoppin ‘John and vegetables. In the Middle Atlantic, and in many places where we find German immigrants, there is a tradition with sauerkraut and pork, ”Dietz said. “There is a kind of Dutch tradition around the pressed pies that were made in the 19th century.”

* Editor’s Note: For the sake of this article, we are using the word “champagne” to describe all sparkling white wines commonly used for celebrations, and not just those produced exclusively in the Champagne region of France. Please, no hate messages.

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