Christopher Merret

Christopher Merret

Christopher Merret
Born	16 February 1614 Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England
Died	19 August 1695 (aged 81) London, England
Nationality	English
Known for	Pioneer of the science of winemaking, first to document the use of glass bottles for sparkling wine
Scientific career
Fields	Natural philosophy, chemistry, medicine

Christopher Merret (16 February 1614 – 19 August 1695) was an English natural philosopher, chemist, and physician. He is best known for his pioneering work in the field of winemaking and for being the first to document the use of glass bottles for sparkling wine.

Early Life and Education

Merret was born on 16 February 1614 in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England. He received his education at Gloucester Grammar School and later attended Balliol College, Oxford, where he studied natural philosophy and medicine.

Career

Merret's interest in natural philosophy and chemistry led him to conduct extensive research in various scientific fields. He made significant contributions to the study of botany, geology, and medicine. However, his most notable work was in the field of winemaking.

In 1662, Merret presented a paper to the Royal Society titled Some Observations concerning the Ordering of Wines. In this paper, he described the process of adding sugar to wine before fermentation to produce a sparkling effect. This was the first documented evidence of the use of glass bottles for sparkling wine, a technique that would later become the basis for the production of champagne.

Merret's work on winemaking revolutionized the industry and laid the foundation for the modern production of sparkling wines. His findings were widely recognized and adopted by winemakers in England and across Europe.

Legacy

Christopher Merret's contributions to the field of winemaking have had a lasting impact on the industry. His pioneering work in documenting the use of glass bottles for sparkling wine paved the way for the development of champagne and other sparkling wines.

Merret's research and discoveries continue to be celebrated and acknowledged in the world of winemaking. His name is often mentioned in discussions about the history and evolution of sparkling wines.

See Also

• Winemaking
• Champagne
• Royal Society