Quite a few of you noticed earlier this week that I not-so-subtly indicated via twitter and Facebook that I was toasting my career transition into the wine world with a certain Brut Rosé sparkler – the genuine article, as it were, from Champagne.
Not too surprising then that I was contacted shortly thereafter (a matter of a few hours, actually) by Charlie Holbert, Digital Marketing Director of Killer Infographics – these are the folks who turn stats into visually arresting web graphic, and their work includes topics such as the history of the iPad, as well those that are a lot less touchy-feely, such as Football Related Deaths and the always popular How To Tell If Your Rock Is A Conflict Diamond (yes, really).
The reason that Charlie Holbert’s contacting me wasn’t surprising is that Killer Infographics has just finished up a project for for wine.com, the topic of which is the history of (and interesting facts about) Champagne. Fortunately, they left out stats on sabering-related deaths and dismemberments (in this version, anyway).
I was invited to share the Champagne Infographic below, which I have because a) it’s a great run-down of how tightly-woven Champagne is the culture of our modern world, b) I find it amazing that a graphic this lengthy (nearly 7000 pixels) can retain one’s focus and interest for as long as it does (maybe I need to “go graphic” on all my long-ass posts from now on instead of my usual droning sentences…), and c) most of you have Champagne on the brain because of New Year’s Eve (or you *will* have it in your brain, pounding away at you on January 1st…). Killer Infographics left out the part about the evidence suggesting that the Brits actually invented sparkling wine (see Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia for more on that), in terms of deliberately introducing secondary fermentation in bottle specifically to engender bubbles – something which good ol’ Dom Perignon almost certainly tried to arrest (they did leave that last part in, bless their bubbly hearts), and something that I’m sure doesn’t sit well with most of the French (they still make the world’s best sparklers… though to be fair the Brits – yes, the Brits – are starting to come into their own with world-class bubblies), but something that probably sits better with everybody than reading about Football related deaths.
For the bloodthirsty few who are clamoring for bubbly facts as well as the death and dismemberment, the infographic does make several references to world wars, the Great Depression, and deathbed quotes. Just sayin’.
Anyway… you can see the full graphic below after the jump. Enjoy…
[ Editor’s note: to embiggen, left-click and choose ‘View Image’ or its equivalent ]
Cheers!
I love the use of the word "embiggen." It is a perfectly cromulent word, after all.
Thanks! Now pardon me while I absquatulate…
Well, pardon me while I update my 3rd grade vocab! I seem to only have the urban dictionary on hand;-)
C'mon unabridged dictionaries ate where it's at! :)
I often get asked, "What's your favorite wine?" It's hard to answer because for me, wine is an experience and I've learned that each wine has its place on the breakfast/lunch/dinner/dessert/snack table:-) I want to know if food is involved, what time of year it is, where I'm at and so on….However, I will say, if I could only drink one wine for the rest of my life, it would be Champagne…with french fries please;)
I've found its one of the most versatile wines with food, along with Rose and German Riesling, another favorite…but Champagne speaks to my heart in ways others don't. It picks me up when I'm down, celebrates with me and makes me feel beautiful all at the same time.
Cheers,
-Court
P.S. @Alawine tweeted about this on wine.com's blog on Christmas eve. Funny enough, I saved it as a favorite and retweeted it.
Court – Champagne beguiles, no doubt about it. And it rocks with sushi (& popcorn!). Cheers!
Oh, what a wonderful post. It strikes us in the heart with joy!
So happy to read that you celebrated with L.P. Rosé! Though we are all about grower bubbles now, L.P. Rosé has always been a favorite.
Cheers to a great 2012 for all of us!
@fatcork – cheers, you too!
A quick addendum to this for the death & dismemberment crowd: apparently you're statistically more likely to get offed via a Champagne corck-related incident than a spider bite. I'm assuming that stat includes all sparkling wine corks; either way, I'm gonna continue to open that shizz *very* carefully!
Really loved this post! I had no idea Killer Infographics would focus on a wine product. And I agree – this graphic does keep your attention the whole way through the end. It's a great tool for wine education.
Thanks, Denise! the downside is that now everyone and their sister are sending me wine-related infographics. :)
I love infographics in general. Mashable has a couple of funny ones. I do love this one as it pertains to my first love… Wine.
Reidel – trust me, there are *several* wine infographics, as I learned after I posted this and everyone started emailing me their wine-related IGs! :) I will say that the Champagne IG was the best of that lot, by far. Cheers!
For sure you know, but I would like to let others know that in Spain is produced "cava". It's a Champagne with grape grown in Cataluña, a region of our country.
Thanks so much for your post. I love wine!