National Champagne Day on December 31 honors Champagne and sparkling wines commonly used to welcome the new year. The tradition centers on the moment the bottle is opened at midnight, marking the symbolic shift from the old year to the new.
Unlike the October observance dedicated specifically to authentic Champagne, this date reflects popular celebration rather than formal wine classification, and although the name is widely used on December 31, only sparkling wine produced under strict regulations in the Champagne region of France qualifies as true Champagne.
Champagne’s link to major celebrations developed gradually in France, where it became associated with court ceremonies and elite gatherings, particularly during the reign of Louis XIV. Its effervescence was seen as a notable winemaking achievement, reinforcing its status as a drink reserved for important occasions.
In the 19th century, improvements in glass production and bottling made Champagne safer to store and easier to transport. While it retained its luxury image, it reached a wider audience and became a more common choice for marking milestones and turning points.
The modern midnight toast emerged in the early 1900s in the United States. New York’s Café Martin is often credited with popularizing Champagne-only New Year’s Eve celebrations, helping establish the custom of welcoming the year with a sparkling wine toast.
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When is National Champagne Day Celebrated?
National Champagne Day is celebrated annually on December 31, aligning naturally with New Year’s Eve, when Champagne is often chosen to welcome the start of a new year.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, Wednesday |
| 2026 | December 31, Thursday |
| 2027 | December 31, Friday |
| 2028 | December 31, Sunday |
| 2029 | December 31, Monday |
| 2030 | December 31, Tuesday |
Raise a glass, and don’t forget to mark your calendar for this yearly occasion!
Facts About National Champagne Day
You can now celebrate National Champagne Day with a deeper understanding of the traditions, history, and details behind every sparkling toast.
- Protected name: Only sparkling wine produced under strict regulations in the Champagne region of France may be labeled Champagne. Wines made elsewhere, even with the same method, are classified as sparkling wine.
- Bubble count: A standard bottle contains roughly 49 million bubbles, created during the second fermentation inside the bottle.
- Glassware myth: The coupe glass is often said to be modeled after the breast of Marie Antoinette, though historians widely consider this a myth rather than a documented fact.
- Bottle pressure: The pressure inside a Champagne bottle is about three times that of a car tire, which explains the force behind a popping cork.
- Hand harvesting: Champagne grapes must be harvested by hand to prevent premature juice release, a rule that helps maintain quality and clarity.
- Aging on lees: Non-vintage Champagne must age on its lees (spent yeast) for at least 12 months, contributing to its characteristic texture and flavor.
- Underground cellars: Many Champagne houses age bottles in chalk cellars, known as crayères, originally carved during Roman times.
- Sweetness levels: Champagne ranges from very dry (brut nature) to sweet (doux), determined by the amount of sugar added during the final step, called dosage.
