Mumm's 1938

Eve drinks only the best.

In the first chapter of CODE NAME RASCAL, Eve orders 1983 Mumm’s Champagne Dry Sec. I couldn’t find a bottle of that vintage for sale online. I researched what the most expensive champagne was in 1941 and that one popped, so I thought, Yup, that’s what Eve would order.

Today’s Wikipedia’s post says, “The most expensive G.H. Mumm champagne from the 1938 vintage is likely a specific vintage expression, potentially a Cordon Rouge.

Due to its age, a 1938 bottle is a rare collector’s item and its value is determined at specialist wine auctions rather than through general retailers. The price depends heavily on the bottle’s provenance and condition.”

Here’s a photo of a 1947 bottle of Mumm’s Champagne Brut. (I don’t know the first thing about champagne, I’m just reading the bottle.) This bottle is available at Cask Cartel online for $2,598.98

During World War 2, the “French 75” was a popular cocktail. It is a mix of champagne cocktail with gin in the United States, (but made with cognac more commonly in Europe), lemon juice, sugar, and champagne.

The tale is that the drink dates back fo World War 1 and was named after the “French 75”—a 75-millimeter field gun—because it was said to have a kick it felt like being shelled by the artillery piece.

Here’s a modern recipe from Delish.com

Enjoy!

If you enjoy stories about World War 2, take a look at my Substack, “Beaches, Brothels, and Barbed Wire,” about life in the Hawaiian Islands during the war.