Champagne Types & Grapes
Champagne is typically made from a blend of three grape varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay Each grape lends a special character that blend to create a unique symphony of flavours. The first two are black grapes, the latter is white.
Firstly, most houses will take a selection of still wines made from the grapes of more than one area, as this far north it is not commercially viable to rely on just one or two individual vineyards. Most Champagne is white, and may be made from any combination of the three grapes above. The pulp, and therefore the juice, of the two black grapes is white, so a white wine is obtained form these grapes by gentle pressing and taking the juice off the skins before they have had time to impart any colour. Once the wines are assembled, the cellar-master of the house will decide how they should be blended, before the bubbles are created by the Méthode Champenoise.
Non-vintage Brut
Non Vintage (NV) - Made from a blend of many years, the vast majority of champagne produced is this style. NV champagne is designed to taste the same year in year out. Visit our Brut Champagne in-store.
Rosé
The pink colour is produced either by adding red wine or by letting the grapes have longer than usual contact with the juice (the saignée method). Visit our Rose Champagne in-store.
Vintage
Made with the grapes from only one year and only in suitable years, vintage champagne differs from year to year. Currently most of the big Houses produce vintages about 6 or 7 years out of 10. The French term for vintage champagne is "millésimé". Visit our Vintage Champagne in-store.
Blanc de Blanc
Blanc de blanc (white from white) means the grapes are all white grapes, specifically Chardonnay Visit our Blanc de blanc Champagne in-store.
Demi Sec
Demi-sec wines contain a dosage with a noticeable amount of sugar. These champagnes are decidedly sweet but not sappy and are the only ones that pair well with desserts (and, it's worth mentioning, wedding cake). Visit our Brut Champagne in-store.
