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Champagne : wine of kings, king of wines

Today used to celebrate all the great moments of life, Champagne embodies French elegance and expertise around the world. Rich in several centuries of history, its winemaking traditions and production method make it a wine unique in its kind.

The history of Champagne dates back to Roman times, a period during which 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 the lack of knowledge about fermentation. Nevertheless, the winemakers of Champagne managed to turn this fermentation to their advantage, giving birth to the méthode champenoise.

The méthode champenoise

First, the grapes are mandatorily hand-picked 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 yeasts.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 bottle fermentation, the bottles are left in the cellar for a minimum of 15 months and sometimes up to more than a decade for exceptional champagnes : this is the aging on lees. Many aromas are created during this period thanks to the contact between the wine and the yeasts, which dissolve in the champagne (autolysis) and notably promote the development of toasted bread and biscuit notes.

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

Finally, the Champagne is dosed with an expedition liqueur (a mixture of wines and sugar also called dosage liqueur) which then defines the label that will be affixed: 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 variety that the famous "blanc de blancs" champagnes are made.

Pinot Noir, on the other hand, is a black grape variety, providing structure and body. It can be used exclusively or in combination with Pinot Meunier to create a "blanc de noirs" champagne.

Finally, Pinot Meunier, also a black grape variety, helps to give roundness and brings beautiful fruity notes.This can be used exclusively or in combination with Pinot Noir to offer a "blanc de noirs" champagne.

These varieties can be used alone or blended to create different expressions of champagnes. 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 bears the mention "Brut" or "Extra Brut" and you don't really know what it means ? Don't worry, we explain everything to you !

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 occurs after the second fermentation in the bottle, when the wine is disgorged. The dosage involves adding a mixture 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 a champagne :

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Doux : more than 50g of sugars per liter

As you will have understood, the dosage of a cuvée can vary considerably, ranging from Brut Nature (zero added sugar) to higher levels for champagnes like 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 shipping 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 winemaker's choices.

The different regions of Champagne

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

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

The 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 based on Pinot Noir. The Champagnes Pierre Paillard are an excellent representation of this.

The Vallée de la Marne, on the other hand, is distinguished by its fruity and balanced champagnes, mainly made from the Pinot Meunier grape variety. Here, we can mention the Champagnes Baron Albert which are a beautiful illustration of this.

The Côte de Sézanne (mainly Chardonnay) and the Côte des Bar (predominantly Pinot Noir) contribute on their sides to the diversity of Champagne. Thus, the Champagnes Pertois-Moriset will also make you thrill 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 more substantial production. Of course, these supplies are very strictly controlled, reflecting the quality policies of houses like 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 distinct characteristics, offering a multitude of styles and tastes to discover. Whether for a special occasion or simply to indulge oneself, champagne remains a beverage of choice for celebrating life's precious moments.

Champagne delivery

Whether you choose a vintage champagne by the unit, 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 package to ensure it is perfectly protected during shipping. Finally, we offer different delivery options : express home delivery, standard home delivery, and also delivery to a pick-up point so that you can choose the option that best suits you in terms of time and cost.

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