Cine au fost primii români care au băut șampanie? „Cum au băut, au mărmurit toți de beți, bând de acel vin” • Newsweek România

The first Romanians to drink champagne were led by Dimitrie Cantemir during a banquet with Tsar Peter the Great in 1711. Initially overwhelmed by the drink, they later embraced it as a symbol of social status. The popularity of champagne grew in Romania, especially among the elite in the 19th century, with significant contributions from Ion Ionescu de la Brad, who learned the secrets of champagne production in France. This beverage became a staple at social gatherings, representing elegance and luxury, and its demand increased with the arrival of various foreign communities in Romania. Despite the communist era, champagne remained a sought-after drink, often confused with sparkling wines.