A still life from 1890 including Champagne, full glasses, grapes, apples, oranges, and nuts on a marble table.

Who put the bubbles in Champagne?

Exploding bottles, English scientists, and wealthy widows all played important parts in the centuries-long evolution of France’s iconic sparkling wine.

Toast of the town

New York printmaker Louis Prang produced this lithograph in 1890, when Champagne was still a relatively new luxury import from France.
Fine Art/Getty Images
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