First description of sparkling wine

Think sparkling wine was invented in France? Think again. The first documented description of ‘secondary fermentation’ (or how to make a wine fizzy) was by an Englishman called Christopher Merrett on 17th December 1662.

Jul 17, 20213 min read

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A thirst for firsts

First 0,0% ABV beer (alcohol-free)

This is the story of the first 0,0% ABV beer, commonly known as ‘alcohol-free’.

Jul 287 min read

Ludwig Roselius, decaffeinated coffee inventor

First decaffeinated coffee

Who would have thought a product as wholesome and seemingly innocuous as decaffeinated coffee would have such a strong Nazi subplot?

May 119 min read

Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, Veuve Clicquot

First vintage champagne

The world’s first vintage champagne was made in 1810, just outside the city of Reims in northeastern France, by a bright, bold, business-savvy trailblazing widow (‘veuve’ in French) called Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, forever immortalised as Veuve Clicquot.

Apr 2111 min read