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Champagne : wine of kings, king of wines

Today used to celebrate all of life's great moments, Champagne embodies French elegance and expertise around the world. With several centuries of history, its winemaking traditions and production method make it a wine like no other.

The history of Champagne dates back to Roman times, when the Champagne region was already renowned for its wines.However, it was only during the 17th century that sparkling champagne as we know it today appeared. At that time, wines were still often unstable and many bottles exploded due to a lack of knowledge about fermentation. Nevertheless, the winemakers of Champagne managed to turn this fermentation to their advantage, giving rise to the traditional method (méthode champenoise).

The traditional method (méthode champenoise)

First, the grapes must be hand-harvested and then gently pressed to extract their juice. Once the grape juice is obtained, it undergoes a first fermentation in a vat, transforming the sugar into alcohol. This results in a still wine (without bubbles). This base wine is then bottled with the addition of a liqueur de tirage, a mixture of sugar and yeast.The bottles are then sealed with temporary caps called bidules and placed in temperature-controlled cellars for the second fermentation. It is during this final stage that the carbon dioxide bubbles will form and remain trapped in the wine.

After this fermentation in the bottle, the bottles are left to age in the cellar for at least 15 months and sometimes for more than a decade for exceptional champagnes : this is known as aging on lees. Many aromas are created during this period thanks to the contact between the wine and the yeasts, which dissolve into the champagne (autolysis) and notably encourage the development of toasted bread and biscuit notes.

When the aging of Champagne is complete, the bottles are placed on racks (inclined supports) and regularly turned in a process called riddling, allowing the sediment to move down towards the neck of the bottle. This sediment is then removed to clarify the wine: this is the disgorging stage.

Finally, the Champagne is dosed with an expedition liqueur (a blend of wine and sugar, also known as dosage liqueur), which determines the label it will receive: Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demi-Sec, or Doux. Once this dosage is completed, the bottles are then permanently sealed and ready to be sold.

The Grape Varieties of Champagne

The three main grape varieties in Champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir as well as Pinot Meunier.

Chardonnay is a white grape variety, bringing freshness, finesse, and citrus notes. It is from this grape that the famous “blanc de blancs” champagnes are made.

Pinot Noir, on the other hand, is a black grape variety, providing structure and body. This variety can be used exclusively or blended with Pinot Meunier to  produce a “blanc de noirs” champagne.

Finally, Pinot Meunier, also a black grape variety, helps to add roundness and brings beautiful fruity notes. This grape variety can be used exclusively or blended with Pinot Noir to create a “blanc de noirs” champagne. These varieties can be used alone or blended to create different expressions of champagne. In addition to these grape varieties, there are also other, less common types of grapes, including Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris. Although these are less widespread, they add an extra dimension to the diversity of possible aromatic richness in champagnes.

The dosage in Champagne wines

Your bottle displays the mention "Brut" or even "Extra Brut", and you’re not quite sure what that means ? Don’t worry, we’ll explain everything !

The dosage in Champagne, often referred to as liqueur d’expédition, plays a crucial role in defining the style and taste of a cuvée. This step takes place after the second fermentation in the bottle, when the wine is disgorged. The dosage consists of adding a blend of wine and sugar to balance the acidity and provide additional sweetness, depending on the desired style of champagne.

Here are the different possible dosages for champagne :

-Brut Nature (or zero dosage) : between 0 and 3g of sugar per liter

-Extra Brut : between 0 and 6g of sugar per liter

-Brut: this is the most common dosage, between 0 and 12g of sugar per liter

-Extra Dry : between 12 and 17g of sugar per liter

-Dry: between 17 and 32g of sugar per liter

-Demi-sec : between 32 and 50g of sugar per liter

-Doux : more than 50g of sugar per liter

As you may have understood, the dosage of a cuvée can vary considerably, ranging from Brut Nature (zero added sugar) to higher levels for champagnes such as Extra Brut or Brut.This choice influences not only the taste, but also the perception of the body and complexity of the wine. Champagne houses often have their own secrets regarding the composition of their dosage liqueur, which contributes to the unique signature of each cuvée. In short, dosage is an art that combines tradition, expertise, and creativity, reflecting the identity of the champagne and the choices of the winemaker.

The different regions of Champagne

Champagne is divided into several sub-regions, each offering specific characteristics to the wines produced.

Côte des Blancs is, for example, famous for its chalky soil and renowned for producing excellent champagnes made from Chardonnay, the famous Blanc de blancs. The Veuve Fourny Champagnes and Franck Bonville are excellent examples. 6 villages classified as Grand Cru are connected to this region.

Montagne de Reims, with its more clay-limestone soils and its 11 villages classified as Grand Cru, is renowned for its powerful and structured champagnes, mainly made from Pinot Noir. Pierre Paillard Champagnes are an excellent representation.

Vallée de la Marne, for its part, stands out for its fruity and balanced champagnes, mainly made from the Pinot Meunier grape variety. Here, we can mention Baron Albert Champagnes which are a fine illustration.

Finally, Côte de Sézanne (mainly Chardonnay) and te Côte des Bar (predominantly Pinot Noir) contribute to the diversity of Champagne. Thus, Pertois-Moriset Champagnes will also delight you with pleasure.

It should be noted that while the major Champagne houses own their own vineyards, they also select numerous partner winegrowers to ensure a larger production. Of course, these supplies are very strictly controlled, in line with the quality policies of houses such as Charles Heidsieck or Philipponnat.

In summary, champagne is an iconic wine with a unique production method.The use of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grape varieties, as well as other lesser-known varieties, contributes to the varied flavor palette that champagne offers. The different sub-regions of Champagne bring their own distinct characteristics, offering a multitude of styles and tastes to discover. Whether it's for a special occasion or simply to treat yourself, champagne remains a beverage of choice for celebrating life's precious moments.

Champagne delivery

Whether you choose a single vintage champagne, a bottle of rosé champagne, or a case of 6 bottles, we guarantee that all our cuvées are in stock in our warehouse and are stored under ideal conditions.

We also take special care in preparing your box to ensure it is perfectly protected during shipping. Finally, we offer you different delivery methods : express home delivery, standard home delivery, as well as delivery to a pick-up point, so you can choose the option that best suits your needs in terms of both timing and price.

We wish you wonderful discoveries and, above all, please feel free to share your feedback on the wines you taste !