Toni Cowan-Brown Explains The Origin Of "Champagne" Spraying
Did you know this is not champagne?
Toni Cowan-Brown, a renowned F1 pundit and a voice at the intersection of tech, politics, and internet culture, recently made a TikTok about a fascinating aspect of Formula 1 history: the tradition of spraying "champagne" on the podium. But as she points out, what we often refer to as champagne is not always what it seems.
Toni Cowan-Brown, a renowned F1 pundit and a voice at the intersection of tech, politics, and internet culture, recently made a TikTok about a fascinating aspect of Formula 1 history: the tradition of spraying "champagne" on the podium. But as she points out, what we often refer to as champagne is not always what it seems.
The Shift from Champagne to Sparkling Wine
One of the most eye-opening revelations from Toni Cowan-Brown's recent video is that the liquid being sprayed on F1 podiums is no longer champagne. Since 2021, Ferrari Trento, a sparkling wine supplier unrelated to Scuderia Ferrari, has been the official podium drink. This change is not just a matter of brand sponsorship but also touches on the intricate laws governing what can be called "champagne."
What's in a Name? Champagne vs. Sparkling Wine
Toni explains that the term "champagne" is reserved for sparkling wine that originates from the Champagne region of France. This means that while all champagne is sparkling wine, not all sparkling wine can be called champagne. The distinction is more than semantic; it's a matter of regional pride and legal designation.
A Brief History of Bubbly in F1
The tradition of receiving champagne on the F1 podium has a storied history. It began at the 1950 French Grand Prix, where Moet Chandon, a local French winery, donated a bottle of champagne to the race winner. Moet Chandon later became the first official champagne supplier to Formula 1 in 1966.
The Accidental Tradition
The act of spraying the champagne was not a premeditated tradition but rather an accidental one. It was first introduced at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans when the winner, Joe Sephord, inadvertently sprayed the crowd after the cork popped out of the bottle. The following year, Dan Gurney intentionally sprayed champagne to celebrate his victory at the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans, and thus, the tradition was born.
