Ep 610: The Greats - A History of Champagne (How Champagne Became Champagne) Part 2

Ep 610: The Greats - A History of Champagne (How Champagne Became Champagne) Part 2

Author: Elizabeth Schneider June 16, 2026 Duration: 44:37

This is part two (Ep 609 is Part 1)of a two-part series on the history of Champagne, which tells the story of how Champagne became Champagne!


Photo: Champagne Vineyards Credit: WFNP

 

I fell down a bit of a rabbit hole when I discovered an entire encyclopedia of the history of Champagne on the Union des Maisons de Champagne site. It was the equivalent of 200 pages of information on Champagne from its origins up until the 1980s and was detailed and fascinating.

 

In this show I cover:

  • The innovations of the 1800s that made Champagne sparkle on purpose with consistency and the contributions of the Veuve (widow) Clicquot
  • The effects of phylloxera on Champagne
  • The Champagne Riots

  • World War I and German occupation part 1
  • The Roaring 20s, the Great Depression, and the effect of Prohibition
  • World War II and German occupation part 2
  • Post war, rebuilding, UNESCO status, and a commitment to the environment

 

Enjoy!

 

Source of all this fascinating info is...

 

 

Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Join the community today!

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Elizabeth Schneider hosts Wine for Normal People, a podcast built on the idea that you can enjoy wine deeply without the pretension. It’s for anyone who finds the world of wine intriguing but is put off by the jargon and gatekeeping. Here, conversations about wine are just that-conversations. Elizabeth approaches topics with a fun and straightforward perspective, aiming to spark genuine excitement and help you discover more interesting bottles to enjoy. Roughly half of the episodes feature guests, but these aren’t formal interviews. Instead, they’re relaxed, educational discussions with passionate friends from the wine world, all people Elizabeth knows personally or through close connections. This creates a uniquely authentic and comfortable atmosphere, as if you’re listening in on a chat between friends who happen to know a lot about what’s in your glass. The focus is always on practical knowledge and shared enthusiasm, stripping away the snobbery to make wine feel accessible and endlessly fascinating. Tune into this podcast to hear honest talk about regions, grapes, and tasting, all designed to make your own journey with wine more rewarding and a lot more fun.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Wine for Normal People
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