Guest article by Maria Passarivaki

Champagne bubbles are lively enough to celebrate and seize any moment. F. Scott Fitzgerald, who always dramatized over the power of the finest sparkling drink in the world, said that, 'too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right.' Champagne in full flow is always found at big events. Without exception, this elixir always marks the pomp of an occasion and used to be served in French coronation ceremonies. Nowadays however, there is no need for such important events to open a bottle of champagne.

Now that we have left behind the ritual of spraying and sinking the champagne, just before its heady aroma and uncanny palate hit us in order to start glugging away, many of us have forgotten about the 'champagne protocol'. G.H.MUMM has saved the day however through its ‘protocol concept’ which is closely linked to the cultural traits of politeness, etiquette and manners. More specifically, it comprehends living the good life and knowing how to get the most from it.

The historic G.H.MUMM champagne house originally established in 1827 is still one of the world's top bubbly brands. In the year of 2005, G.H.MUMM became part of the French group, Pernod Ricard, the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits and its sales top over eight million bottles a year in 150 different countries. Having meticulously cultivated the traditions of champagne and its tasting rituals, G.H.MUMM now offers a unique, restated experience where its guide to 100 champagne protocoles stands for every kind of champagne. So, along with the help of technology, G.H.MUMM brings new light to the proceedings of opening a champagne bottle, whilst endowing us with a little bit of the so-called ‘savoir vivre’.

Video Courtesy of G.H.MUMM

In these protocoles, you’ll find out about terms such as sabres and Jeroboams and the ultimate Dos and Don’ts of champagne. The objective is simple: ‘ to let the rest of us know what you think of the protocoles or to recount how they saved an evening from turning into an utter nightmare, learn how to become a gentleman of champagne and, above all, have fun’.

One could perceive that the protocoles signify an inherent human need to find perfection in life's rituals. At first sight, we loved the sophistication of the designs, whilst its vibrant language is a different amusing matter entirely. We especially applaud the flexible application that accompanies the project and makes it clear as to how much fresh thinking has gone into creating a particular follow up. In keeping with the pioneering spirit of the whole effort, the Israeli designer and artist Noma Bar, accepted the challenge with enthusiasm producing a series of illustrations reflecting G.H.MUMM’s rediscovered champagne rituals. He also managed to captivate the essence of each of the 12 chapters of the Champagne Protocoles de G.H.MUMM with his illustrations. The result is carefully curated according to the brand's elegance and collection of blended champagnes with those who are experienced champagne connoisseurs in mind. Every aspect of the project has been carefully considered and everybody is invited to join in the fun. So slurp up a mouthful of advices and tips on ‘sabrage’, a technique invented by cavalry officers due to the brand’s history and discover G.H.MUMM’s favorite meals served with champagne.

It does not end there: Under the innovative use of Apple technology, G.H.MUMM has created a sophisticated champagne application, whereby with a simple click, an array of etiquettes and the proper way to enjoy G.H.MUMM bubbles comes into view. From April 2012 and onwards, users of the application will be able to read the protocoles anywhere and anytime, which are available in French, Italian, Spanish and English. We will also be able to access the G.H.MUMM protocoles on big-screen format, here. Until June, we can read through the first 4 of the 12 chapters, meanwhile each month, the user gets to access a brand new chapter in the Champagne Protocoels de G.H.MUMM.

Yatzer has had a go online and, truth be told, was really impressed by its delightfully easy application, whose pages keep shuffling while you tap the screen. Needless to say, it is fully deserving of a bit of attention and it served us a good lesson, – perhaps more delicious- than the privilege of guzzling champagne. We believe that the protocol is an all-important tool for the champagne taster and we raise our glasses in appreciation. Cheers!