National Bubbly Day

Sparkling wine, affectionately known as “bubbly”, is the perfect beverage for celebrations–particularly because of its cork-popping goodness. Crisp, fruity flavors combine with delightful bubbles to create a celebratory drink that is perfect when enjoyed alone or when paired with appetizers or a meal.

Because bubbly is a celebratory drink, this means that National Bubbly Day is twice as fun – because it pays heed to the one that brings joy to all of the celebrations as they happen!

History of National Bubbly Day

The history of sparkling wine or “bubbly” is a bit disputed. The English claim that the discovery of bubbles in wine was made in the mid 1600s when a scientist notes that they appear during a second fermentation process that happens in the bottle.

On the other hand, those in the Champagne region of France often claim that the discovery was made by a French Benedictine monk named Dom Perignon, a few decades later. So, while no one can really tell exactly when and where sparkling wine got its start in Europe, everyone can agree that it gained in popularity throughout the 1700s where Champagne was served in royal courts, including that of Louis XV.

As the desire and demand for Champagne grew, its limited production made it very rare and also pricey. This caused other wine producers to start making their own versions of sparkling wine that would satisfy the people and provide an alternative to the limited and costly versions.

In the mid-1700s, wine growers in the region of northeastern Italy used the glera grape to make their own version of sparkling wine. However, instead of a second fermentation taking place in the bottle, many of these wineries would use large stainless steel tanks in the process. This made Prosecco into a bubbly wine that was less expensive to produce because it could be processed more quickly. This savings was passed on to the consumer and the wine from this part of Italy began to grow in popularity over the next 200 years.

Because of the way the carbon dioxide creates bubbles when the gas is released, “bubbly” has developed over time as a nickname for not only Champagne, but for any type of sparkling wine.

While many people think that “bubbly” is merely a synonym for Champagne, the nickname really can refer to any sort of sparkling wine. While Champagne is a specific sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France, other types of “bubbly” may include Prosecco (from Italy), Cava (from Spain), Moscato (from Italy) and many additional options.

How to Celebrate National Bubbly Day

Whether on your own, with a partner, or with a large group, National Bubbly Day comes along with many enjoyable ways to celebrate. Try out some of these ideas:

Open a Bottle of Bubbly

For those who have been saving that bottle of Champagne or Prosecco for a special occasion, National Bubbly Day might just qualify as a special day.Go ahead and invite a few friends over, get the glasses ready, pop the cork, and enjoy the delightfully fruity flavors of a glass of sparkling wine. Plus, since National Bubbly Day is always celebrated on the weekend, it is that much easier to enjoy and not have to worry about going to work the next day!

Try a New Drink Recipe Made with Bubbly

Sparkling wine makes a delicious ingredient for a variety of mixed drink recipes that create a fun and fruity environment. Many people are familiar with the Champagne Cocktail (made with a sugar cube), the Bellini (Prosecco and peach nectar) or that favorite classic that is served at brunches everywhere, the Mimosa, made with Champagne and orange juice.

Here are a few ideas that might help turn National Bubbly Day into a fun and exciting adventure of mixed drinks:

• French 75. With a base of sparkling wine, this citrusy cocktail uses lemon juice, gin, simple syrup, ice cubes mixed together and then garnished with a lemon peel spiral.
• Sparkling Wine Cocktail. Sweet and spicy, this cocktail uses bubbly as a base and then adds a lemon sugar mixture that requires a bit of advanced preparation (24 hours). Other ingredients include sugar, cinnamon, lemon, slices, pear juice, absinthe and orange bitters.
• Cran Royale. This delicious bubbly cocktail starts with a syrup made of cranberries, thyme and sugar. Add lemon juice, Campari and (of course) Champagne. Serve with fresh cranberries as a garnish.
• Sparkling Julep. A take on the classic Kentucky Derby drink, this one contains the usual mint leaves, simple syrup, bitters and cognac, but also adds in two delightful shots of Champagne or other bubbly wine. Serve with a lemon twist.

And for those who don’t see a recipe they like here? It’s the ideal time to get adventurous and make up your own recipe for delicious cocktails that are made with bubbly!