NATIONAL CHAMPAGNE DAY - December 31

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Posted on 12/31/2024 7:15:20 AM PST by Red Badger

NATIONAL CHAMPAGNE DAY

National Champagne Day recognizes the wine that puts the pop in every New Year's Eve celebration.

#NationalChampagneDay

Genuine champagne only comes from France's Champagne region. French law protects where and how it is made. With some exceptions, only Champagne made according to set specifications and within the French region may label their wines using the term "Champagne." Other foods and beverages fall under this type of protection in France and other parts of the world.

Champagne, France, is located northeast of Paris and provides the ideal temperature and soil to produce the grapes required for Champagne. French law allows only eight varieties of grapes for the production of Champagne in the Champagne region. Primarily, the three grapes used to create Champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.

Unlike other wines, Champagne ferments in the bottle allowing the vintner to trap the CO2 in the bottle. The bubbles give Champagne its effervescence.

While Champagne can be spendy, if you are looking for a little pop on New Year's Eve, other varieties of sparkling wine are available from Italy, California, and even the South of France. They offer a sparkle that won't put a fizzle in your pocketbook. Then again, some New Years mean an opportunity for splurging and celebrating no matter the expense.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHAMPAGNE DAY

Pop open a bottle of your favorite champagne. (Remember always to drink responsibly and never drink and drive.)

Make it extra special. Try these food pairings while you celebrate:

Something smoky - Try smoked salmon or a dish made with smoked gouda or another favored cheese, especially if the Champaign is acidic.

Satisfy your sweet tooth - If you're leaning toward a sparkling wine like a Moscato, berries, citrus and dainty pastries bring in the New Year quite well.

Spice it up - Many Champagnes hold up to the heat of spicy entrees and appetizers. So celebrate all night long with these flavors.

Use #NationalChampagneDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CHAMPAGNE DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar is considering putting a bottle of Champagne in the refrigerator for the day when we discover the origins of this celebratory day.

Champagne FAQ

Q. Who was Dom Perignon?

A. Dom Perignon was a 17th-century Benedictine monk who while serving as cellar master of the Abbey of Hautvillers, he doubled the size of the vineyard. The vineyard also flourished under his guidance. He is credited with developing standards that improved the quality of champagne wine.

Q. What kinds of celebrations could I celebrate with a bottle of champagne?

A. Some of the obvious celebrations include weddings, New Year's Eve, christening a ship, and a big promotion. Other Champagne-worthy celebrations include:

Retirement

Winning a championship

Buying a home

Opening a business

Reaching a big goal

Winning a major award

Earning a Ph.D.

Q. Does champagne go bad?

A. Yes. Champagne has a shelf-life of about 3-10 years depending on whether the champagne is vintage or non-vintage. Non-vintage champagne has a shorter shelf-life.

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Memorable Birthdays for December 31

Francis Trowbridge Sherman (1825-1905) - Brigadier General for the Union Army.

Joseph S. Cullinan (1860-1937) - Co-founder of the Texaco oil company.

Robert G Aitken (1864-1951) - Astronomer who discovered nearly 3,100 new binary stars.

Fred Marriott (1872-1956) - Race car driver who set the world land speed record in 1906.

George Marshall (1880-1959) - Author of the Marshall Plan.

Ben A. Jones (1882-1961) - Horse trainer and champion training winner of the Kentucky Derby.

Mary Logan Reddick (1914-1966) - Neuroembryology scientist who is the first known Black women to receive a fellowship to study abroad (Cambridge University).

Rex Allen (1920-1999) - Actor and singer-songwriter known referred to as the Arizona Cowboy.

Odetta (1930-2008) - Jazz singer dubbed the Voice of the Civil Rights Movement.

Donna Summer (1948-2012) - Disco singer of hits like On the Radio and Last Dance.

Cheryl Womack (1950-Still Living) - Founder of the VCW and National Association of Independent Truckers, Inc.

Kenny Roberts (1951-Still Living) - Motorcycle racer who became the first American to win a Grand Prix World Championship.

Val Kilmer (1959-Still Living) - Actor who had is remembered as Doc Holliday in Tombstone.

Gabby Douglas (1995-Still Living) - The first Black to win an Olympic individual all-around title in gymnastics.

Memorable Events for December 31

1781 - The first bank opens in the U.S. (Bank of North America).

1831 - NY City is deeded Gramercy Park and becomes a private park for the wealthy.

1841 - Alabama becomes the first state to license dental surgeons.

1862 - President Lincoln admits West Virginia to the Union, dividing Virginia into two states.

1879 - Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting in public for the first time.

1904 - The first New Year's Eve party is held in Times Square.

1907 - The first ball drops in Time Square to bring in the New Year.

1934 - Helen Richey becomes the first woman to fly an airmail transport.

1945 - The Ratification of United Nations Charter is finalized and completed.

1946 - President Truman proclaims the end of hostilities in Europe, which officially ends World War II.

1983 - Benjamin Ward becomes the first Black police commissioner in NY City.

1984 - The U.S. leaves UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

1997 - Microsoft buys the Hotmail email client.

1 posted on 12/31/2024 7:15:20 AM PST by Red Badger

To: Diana in Wisconsin; SunkenCiv

2 posted on 12/31/2024 7:15:51 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)

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