A History of Champagne Ep. 2: Dom Pérignon & Champagne’s First Artistic Toast

Travel from the Château de Chantilly’s grand painting gallery to Dom Pérignon’s historic abbey—and uncover the true origins of sparkling Champagne. In this second episode of Champagne Journal’s 8-part documentary series, filmed on location in France, we explore Champagne’s early history through art, culture, and innovation. At the Château de Chantilly, discover an extraordinary 18th-century painting—the first known artwork to depict sparkling Champagne—capturing the glamour of aristocratic life. Then journey to the Abbey of Hautvillers, where Dom Pérignon, the legendary 17th-century monk, helped shape the wine that would become the world’s symbol of celebration. (He famously said he wanted to make “the best wine in the world.”) Featuring interviews with Véronique Foureur (Moët & Chandon historian) and Vincent Chaperon (then head oenologist of Dom Pérignon). Bonus Segment: When do the French drink Champagne? You might be surprised by how casually they enjoy it. My childhood memories of Champagne at family holiday parties sparked a lifelong curiosity... This series is my tribute to its enduring legacy. Filmed in 2008, this series offers timeless insights and rare access to Champagne’s most iconic maisons, cellar masters, and brand historians. Whether you're a wine lover, history buff, or curious traveler—you’ll never look at a glass of bubbly the same way again. No sponsorships were involved in making this series. #historyofchampagne 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Painting. The Oyster Lunch. 03:10 Dom Pérignon 04:47 The Father of Champagne 06:24 What Dom Means 07:01 Origins of Hautvillers Abbey 07:42 Dom Pérignon's Tomb 09:53 Main Altar in the Abbey 10:50 The Crusades and Champagne 11:45 It's a True Story 12:42 Blending is credited to Dom Pérignon 14:32 The Golden Rules by Dom Pérignon 15:42 From Hemp to Cork Stoppers 16:42 What Terroir Means 18:28 Style of Dom Pérignon 20:35 When the French Drink Champagne 💛 If you feel moved, you can support my future videos with a PayPal donation. Simply copy and paste this link into your browser. https://www.artfulaims.com/support 🥂 A Friendly Champagne Pronunciation Disclaimer We know a few names aren’t pronounced in a perfect French accent—but that won’t stop us from enjoying the bubbles, and we hope it won’t stop you either. You must be of legal drinking age in your region. 💠 Responsible Enjoyment Exemplar Arts LLC - D.B.A. Artful Aims- presents this series for entertainment purposes only and offers information and genuine opinions. Champagne contains alcohol and is for adult consumption only. Please drink responsibly and ensure you are of legal drinking age in your region. We do not condone underage drinking or illegal activities. By watching, you acknowledge that the creators are not liable for any actions taken based on this content. 💠 Comments & Social Media • To prevent spam, comments with links are not visible. Stay cautious of scammers. • Artful Aims and Champagne Journal are exclusively on YouTube—no other platforms. • Ms. Smith cannot accept physical gifts, emails, or mail. Thank you for understanding.