Get ready — in this episode, the Fishwives are going to burst your bubble around some long-held beliefs about Champagne. Dom Pérignon’s French Wikipedia page may claim he invented it, but the truth is way cooler. Champagne’s story stretches back to English cider-making traditions, the sharp ingenuity of local widows, and a whole lot of historical accidents that turned into legend.
Emily and Caroline dig into how Champagne built its global reputation, why the monk myth stuck around for so long, and how much of Champagne’s identity comes from clever humans rather than mystical moments. It’s a funny, curious, deeply human look at a wine most people think they already understand — and a reminder that even the fanciest bubbles have a messy, fascinating past. In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How Champagne accidentally became one of the most celebrated wines in the world
• Why English cider-makers played a bigger role than the legends suggest
• What Dom Pérignon actually did — and why his reputation grew so wildly
• The role local widows played in shaping Champagne’s identity
• Which glassware really works best for bubbles (and why)
Whether you’re a Champagne lover who wants the real story behind the sparkle, a curious drinker who lives for myth-busting and fun facts, or just someone who prefers their wine education honest and unpretentious, this episode is for you.
Hosted by Lyon-based sommelier Caroline Fazeli and Paris-based food journalist Emily Monaco, Fishwives of Paris takes beloved French foods and wines off their pedestals and digs into the real stories behind them — the messy, funny, deeply human ones.
Follow us on Instagram: @fishwivesofparis
Partnership inquiries: bonjour@fishwivesofparis.com
Champagne Discussed in this episode:
Champagne Houses / Producers:
-Dom Pérignon (the historical figure + the brand by reference)
-Veuve Clicquot / Madame Clicquot
-Moët
-Laurent-Perrier
-Bollinger
-Paul Roget
-Bruno Paillard
-Krug
-Julie Bonnevie (the grower Champagne featured in the episode)
Champagne Categories / Styles Mentioned:
-Blanc de noirs
-Blanc de blancs
-Vintage Champagne (2013 in the episode)
-Extra Brut
-Grower Champagne
-Big House Champagne
Grape Varieties Discussed:
-Pinot Noir
-Chardonnay
-Pinot Meunier (“artist formerly known as Pinot Meunier”)
-Arbanne
-Petit Meslier
-Pinot Blanc
-Pinot Gris
2 Comments
Netflix (USA) has a movie about Veuve Clicquot. Love your discussions!
Loved your discussion – I learned a lot. Would you be able to advise which champagne house in Reims offers the best tours? I will not have a car so would be wanting an easily accessible location. Thx