The Basics of Champagne

It’s all about the bubbles

Located in northeast France, Champagne is the birthplace of some of the world's most iconic sparkling wines. Because the grapes are grown and the wine is produced in the Champagne region of France, it is the only place in the world legally allowed to use the name Champagne. Do you see those Old World wine laws at work?

Now let's break it down.

Champagne is made from three primary grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Together, they create sparkling wines with notes of green apple, bright citrus, subtle florals, and a touch of brioche that develops during aging.

A fun fact. What gives Champagne its bubbles is a second fermentation that happens in the bottle.

When selecting a bottle of Champagne, understanding a few key things will help you choose the right one for your palate, the occasion, or the meal.

STYLES OF CHAMPAGNE

Non-Vintage (NV)

The most common style of Champagne, blended with grapes from multiple harvest years that reflect a producer's house style.

Vintage

Champagne made from grapes harvested in a single year, often with more structure, depth, and the ability to age.

Blanc de Blancs

Made entirely from Chardonnay, resulting in bright Champagne with citrus and floral notes.

Blanc de Noirs

Made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, or both, creating Champagne with more body, richness, and subtle red fruit character.

Rosé

Rosé Champagne gets its color from either brief skin contact or being blended with still red wine and offers delicate notes of berries with a fresh, refined finish.

A RANGE OF SWEETNESS

Now that we've covered style, the next thing to understand is how sweet or dry the Champagne is.

Personally, I almost always reach for a bottle of "Brut" Champagne, which simply means dry. Extra Brut and Brut Nature are even drier, with little to no added sugar. Extra-Dry is Champagne that is slightly off-dry and a touch sweeter than Brut. Sec and Demi-Sec are sweeter styles, while Doux is the sweetest and very rare.

PAIRING CHAMPAGNE

Champagne is crisp, refreshing and elegant which makes it incredibly versatile at the table. It pairs beautifully with seafood, oysters, caviar, sushi, and fried chicken. Yes, Champagne with fried chicken is a must.

While all of this information is helpful, what matters most is what you enjoy. The moral of the story is simple. Champagne does not need a special occasion and can stand on its own any morning, noon, or night of the week.

XO,

Jess