How Much Alcohol is in Champagne?
If you're like most people, you associate champagne, with its bubbles and charm, with romance and celebrations. You might also wonder how much alcohol is in champagne. It looks like a light, bubbly drink but can we assume it has lower alcohol levels? This is actually not the case at all. Let’s debunk some of the myths associated with champagne alcohol levels and get our facts straight. We want this to be a huge help to you. If you have any questions, please call us at 503-372-6244.
Champagne Alcohol Content
When you compare the champagne alcohol percentage to the percentage of alcohol in a glass of wine, the numbers are fairly close. Champagne is approximately 12.2% while red wine is 12.5%. The alcohol content of champagne will vary depending on the bottle you bought. One thing you need to understand is that alcohol combined with carbonation can cause you to feel drunk quicker than when you consume a flat alcoholic drink. This means that when you drink any type of carbonated alcoholic drink, you need to be aware that you can get drunk in a short amount of time. People drinking bubbly showed a significant spike in their alcohol levels within five minutes. Others consuming flat champagne didn’t experience the spike until around 15 minutes. But after that, they seemed pretty much the same.
Can champagne get you drunk?
Absolutely, and champagne, as well as other carbonated alcoholic drinks, can cause a spike in your blood alcohol concentrations quicker than consuming still drinks. You'll feel drunker when consuming sparkling alcoholic beverages than non-sparkling alcoholic drinks. Comparatively speaking, you could drink a four-ounce glass of champagne or one shot of liquor, which has the same alcohol content and feel the effects of the champagne much faster and stronger due to the bubbles. These bubbles in the liquid cause the alcohol to get into your bloodstream more quickly than when they are absent.
Because the effects of champagne can hit your bloodstream so quickly, it’s very important you take it easy when enjoying a nice glass of bubbly. Take care to sip slowly from your flute. Make a mental note to only have one drink an hour in order to keep your head clear and not fall into a drunken stupor.
Is Champagne Stronger than Wine?
While the champagne alcohol percentage is essentially the same as that of wine or your basic cocktail, the effects of champagne hit you harder and stronger than their alcoholic counterparts. Because the champagne-making process involves two fermentations, it contains more of certain chemicals that tend to make your hangovers worse than normal. These chemicals are called congeners and are responsible for some of the taste, color, and aroma of champagne.
How Much Champagne Does It Take To Get Drunk?
You are considered legally drunk when your blood alcohol level is .08 or higher. Do you have a handy Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) calculator nearby? It isn’t always easy to gauge how quickly a drink will get you drunk without one. Keep in mind that an average-sized woman who has consumed 16 ounces of champagne will reach a BAC of .079. This puts you dangerously close to the legally drunk limit. Metabolism, health, and body type are all factors that affect your blood alcohol content.
Conclusion to How Much Alcohol is in Champagne
Champagne is a celebratory drink enjoyed by millions. But, it’s vitally important you don't overdo it and get behind the wheel. DUI laws and consequences can be swift and harsh on you. From steep fines to driver’s license suspension and even jail time, a DUI conviction is no joke. Please do everything you can to avoid driving drunk. If you find yourself faced with drunk-driving charges, you need an experienced DUI attorney you can trust. We know Oregon law by heart and will fight tirelessly for you. Call us today with any legal questions you may have.
*Nothing herein constitutes legal advice. You should obtain independent legal counsel regarding your specific factual situation.
