The British Film Festival 2021 presents Sparkling: The Story of Champagne, directed and written by Frank Mannion and narrated by and starring Stephen Fry. Sparkling: The Story of Champagne is a delightful look into the history of champagne, and I can assure you that once you have finished watching this insightful documentary this alcoholic beverage will never taste the same again.
The film starts off by exploring all the different ways champagne as a beverage has been viewed by society. As Coco Chanel says “I only drink Champagne on two occasions: when I'm in love and when I'm not.” There is a certain glamorised view that popular culture takes to this particular beverage, especially in films like the Bond series.
The opening of this film starts by listing a number of influential figures and details their intimate connection to the beverage. Whilst there are many modern examples of champagne used in popular culture that is not to say that the film does not touch on the historical references to the beverage quoting Napoleon Bonaparte, “In victory, you deserve Champagne; in defeat, you need it,” and Winston Churchill during WWI “It’s not just France we are fighting for, it’s champagne.”
The film continues to examine the undeniable allure of champagne throughout history, going on to point out the endless references in poetry, film and art. While the film does highlight that the beverage is used to celebrate a good time it also continues to explore its origins and the many businessmen and women involved in bringing champagne to the forefront of society.
The film introduces us to a number of different Champagne houses throughout history including Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Piper-Heidsieck and Bollinger. The audience gets to hear the stories behind each of these Champagne houses and how they impacted society and culture as a whole. It was fascinating to hear about La Grande Damme and how she invented the process of riddling and how Charles Heidsieck ‘Champagne Charlie’ brought champagne to the United States.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film as it opened my eyes to the rich history of the popular beverage. Learning about La Grande Damme’s wine making process, and her resilience when it came to running a business despite the restrictions placed upon women at the time, was truly inspirational. Let’s just say I look forward to pouring a glass of champagne the next time I visit a seafood restaurant.
This is a film for the champagne lovers and the ones that are curious to see what all the fuss is all about. There is so much to learn about the history involved in creating this beverage and how it became a global statement. Champagne has and always will be loved by many. I am truly surprised to hear how many people drink champagne before bed, and can’t wait to taste this beverage on my lips after so long.
Joanna Letic