The number of people drinking champagne increased as the aristocracy was joined by the middle classes; the privileged youth and the artistic and literary crowd continued, as in the eighteenth century, to be the most enthusiastic sector of the market.
This aspect of what might today be called a social phenomenon was a considerable factor in the expansion of the champagne market. Its success was confirmed not only by the reception that it was given, of which numerous accounts follow, but also by the growth in its production which was astounding, in terms of both size and speed.
The start of the nineteenth century was not however without its problems. The Emperor himself was not a champagne lover, preferring Chambertin and the wines of Bordeaux. Although this did not stop him from appreciating champagne in some of the dishes that were prepared for him. However, the fact was that outside of ceremonial meals and even when he was at the height of his imperial glory, Napoleon would barely spend half an hour at the table, sometimes only fifteen minutes, and he did not drink much.
This was not true for the soldiers of the Directoire, the Consulate and the Empire. During the Egyptian campaign they sang:. The Nile does not flow with champagne! Who wants to go on a campaign In a land with no cabarets? You find it good!
Junot, for his part, was a serious drinker. For the most famous of them, General Lasalle, a superb officer and excellent man, of outstanding spirit and courage, and very talented, any occasion was suitable for drinking champagne, both with his officers and with his mistresses.
