Champagne, the sparkling wine synonymous with celebration, was actually discovered by accident. In the 17th century, winemakers in the Champagne region of France struggled with a problem: their wine bottles were often exploding. The cold winter temperatures would halt fermentation, only for it to resume in the spring, creating carbon dioxide gas that built up in the bottles. This unintentional carbonation led to many shattered bottles and was considered a significant flaw.
It wasn't until the monk Dom Pérignon, often credited with perfecting the production of champagne, that the potential of this fizzy wine was realized. Pérignon developed stronger bottles and better corks to contain the pressure, turning the unintended sparkling wine into a refined and desirable beverage. Today, champagne is a global symbol of luxury and festivity, all thanks to an initial winemaking mishap that transformed the industry and created one of the world's most celebrated drinks.