Champagne types
Choosing a delicious champagne can be a challenge. The diversity of champagne types can make the decision-making process difficult. Each type of champagne is classified based on sugar content, grape variety, and vintage. Within our assortment, you will find, among others, flavorful brut champagnes, beautifully colored rosé champagnes, and slightly sweet demi-sec champagnes. We have a beautiful matching champagne for every taste. With the description of our champagnes, choosing the right one will become more easy. If you have any questions, please contact us. We gladly help you order your favorite bottle of champagne online!
Types of Champagne: From Brut to Blanc de Blancs
People often enjoy a glass of festive bubbles for a special occasion. Since there are different types, making a choice may not always be easy. A festive bubbly drink doesn't always have to be champagne. In addition to champagne, there's also prosecco and cava. Not only do different types of sparkling wines vary, but champagnes themselves also differ.
Champagnes differ in:
- Grape varieties
- Vintage
- Sugar content
Grape Varieties
The Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes form the basis of champagnes. The grand and premier cru vineyards are planted with 36% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay, and 19% Pinot Meunier. The composition of different grape varieties plays a crucial role in the house style and quality of the champagne.
Chardonnay
The Chardonnay grape is highly valued in champagnes. Due to its high acidity, it provides refinement and elegance. It is the most discussed but least planted grape variety. Chardonnay grapes thrive best on true chalky soils, mainly found in Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, and Vallée de la Marne. However, the Chardonnay grape is quite vulnerable to spring frost, mainly because the grapes bud early.
Pinot Noir
Champagne owes its fame, in part, to this grape variety. Pinot Noir is cultivated in Montagne de Reims and Aube. The Pinot Noir grapes grown in Aube have the opportunity to ripen better in difficult years. They often make the champagne more fruity, round, and characterful. However, the Pinot Noir grape is a vulnerable variety, and the grapes are highly susceptible to rot during the ripening phase due to their compact cluster formation and thin skin.
Pinot Meunier
The Pinot Meunier grapes are seen as the workhorse. This grape variety is prominently present and is emphasized in the assemblages. Pinot Meunier grapes are hardy and are grown in the northern wine regions. The grape ripens earlier than Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Its strong points are the fresh fruit and invigorating floral aroma.
Difference in Vintage
Champagnes also differ in vintage. They come with and without a specific year. Champagne sans millésime are champagnes without a specific year, also known as non-vintage champagnes. They are characterized by consistent quality and character. Generally, champagne sans millésime ages for about 15 months in the cellars. In addition to champagne sans millésime, there are also vintage champagnes. Champagnes labeled with a specific year, also known as vintage champagne. These champagnes vary in character from year to year. They must age in the cellars for at least 3 years.
For those seeking the ultimate champagne experience, we also offer exclusive Cuvée Prestige champagnes. These champagnes are the crown jewels of renowned champagne houses, crafted from the finest grapes and reserve wines from exceptional harvest years.
Adding Sugar
Champagnes are flavored using Liquer de Dosage, a mixture of white wine, sugar, and brandy. The sugar content determines the type of champagne. Our assortment includes various types of champagne. The majority consists of brut champagnes, but we also have delicious demi-sec champagnes. Brut champagnes are dry with relatively low sugar content. Demi-sec literally means "half-dry." Due to higher sugar content, these champagnes have a slightly sweet taste.