Ask Arlene if You Knew This? ©

Ask Arlene if You Knew This? ©

By Arlene Wright-Correll

Did you know that I have drunk a bottle of champagne a day, every day since January 1, 1965?    Here are the reasons why!

Did you know that Champagne is sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region of northeastern France? Technically, if the bottle is not from that region, it’s sparkling wine and not champagne. 

Did You Know champagne has a health benefit similar to red wine. There are95 calories in a glass of champagne (roughly 4 ounces)?

Did you know there are approximately 570 calories in an entire bottle of champagne (25 ounces)?

Did you know alcohol can make it harder to lose weight, especially if you don't use moderation in your drinking?

Did you know Brut is Champagne speak for "dry" and signifies a lower sugar content, resulting in a glass of bubbly that only contains about 65 calories?

Did you know the drier the Champagne, the better it tastes with salty and savory celebratory foods like low-calorie oysters and caviar?

Did you know serving sizes for champagne are generally smaller than other alcoholic beverages too, keeping the calorie count even lower?

Did you know sparkling wine may have some additional health benefits? One study found that the polyphenols found in red wine can also be found in champagne. These antioxidants reduce the damage free radicals can do to the body, possibly helping lower blood pressure and prevent heart problems.

Did you know that the bubbles may make people drink slower or feel fuller?

Did you know that the types of sparkling come in a range of sweetness and sugar content? Brut Natural and Extra Brut are the least sweet, followed by Brut, Extra Dry (or Extra Sec), Sec, Demi-Sec, and Doux (which has the most sugar).

Did you know that for something a little less sweet but still tasty, one should go with any of the brut varieties?

Did you know that one should use a flute glass? These 4- to 6-ounce glasses are automatic portion controllers, so make use of it and fill it up just once.

Did you know that Champagne is to be served cold at about 43 to 48°F (7°C)? In this range the smell and taste of the wine can be fully appreciated. This temperature can be achieved by placing the unopened bottle in an ice bucket with one-half ice and one-half water for 20 to 30 minutes. Or you may refrigerate it for 3 to 4 hours. Or if you are like me have a wine refrigerator.

Did you know that to safely open the sparkling wine bottle one should never use a corkscrew and n one should ever shake the bottle?

Did you know that one should make sure the bottle is chilled to avoid excess pressure build up? With a towel over the top of the bottle, tilt at 45 degrees, hold the cork firmly, and twist the bottle until you hear a faint pop.

Did you know that the downside to drinking champagne is its high acidity, which can cause teeth problems?

Did you know that a bottle of wine whether it be still or sparkling and if it has a cork in it should be stored on its side? You want the liquid inside to stay in contact with the cork so that it doesn't dry out, become crumbly, and encourage premature aging.

Did you know that Non-Vintage Champagnes will expire a little more quickly after around 3-4 years after purchase and are aged for 2 to 3 years before that before they are available for sale?

Did you know that a Vintage Champagne is simply one that was made from the grapes of only one year’s harvest, while a Non-Vintage Champagne is one that was made from the grapes of numerous years? The former is generally higher quality and will also be more expensive than the latter.

Did you know that I simply love the taste of it and I celebrate my life every day some where between 6 and 6:30 p.m. and that it take me about 6 to 7 hours to consume one bottle?

May the Creative Force be with you,

Arlene Wright-Correll

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