Beginner’s Guide to Champagne: Part 2 of 3
In part one of this series, we took a look at the Champagne region of France and all the factors that make it the best – and only – place to produce true Champagne. (Champagnes from outside of the region are merely sparkling wines.)
Now let’s learn about the different types of Champagne, starting with quality and rarity.
Classic Champagne
Each Champagne maker, or “marque”, makes a regular blend of Champagne called “classic cuvee’”. This is the marque’s signature Champagne, and accounts for the vast majority of their sales. While the subtle flavors of the cuvee might change slightly from year to year, the overall taste remains the same.
Think of classic cuvees as the table wines of the Champagne world. They are suitable for casual get-togethers and celebrations, and most are quite affordable. These Champagnes are sold at their peak drinkability, so no storage is required.
Classic cuvees are also known as NV (non-vintage), or “sans anee’”.
Sometimes weather conditions are just right, resulting in a better-than-normal harvest. The conditions affect the flavor of the grapes, giving them unique character that isn’t present in classic cuvees. These exceptional grapes are used to create vintage Champagne.
When a marque has an exceptionally good year, they produce a limited number of vintage bottles. Vintage Champagne comes with a date on the label to commemorate the year of the harvest. Unlike classic cuvees, which are made from a blend of different harvests, vintage Champagnes contain only grapes harvested during the vintage year.
Vintage Champagne is typically more expensive than classic cuvees due to its limited production and high demand.
When you purchase a vintage Champagne, you might want to store it until it reaches peak maturity. Most vintages can be stored for 3 – 5 years before consumption.
Prestige Cuvees
Prestige cuvees are the most desirable vintage Champagnes that a marque has to offer. These are the Champagnes associated with wealth and decadence, and their price tags reflect this. The Grande Marques include; Dom Perignon Champagne , Krug Champagne , Bollinger Champagne , Cristal Champagne (Louis Roederer) Moet & Chandon Champagne and Veuve Clicquot .
Prestige cuvees are complex blends of grapes from vintage harvests. These are the Champagnes you want to pair with expensive caviar, pate de foie gras, truffles, and lobster dinners. They are perfect for true connoisseurs who don’t need to worry about price, as each bottle can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Champagne Grapes
All Champagnes, from classic to prestige, are made from one or more types of grapes – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The grapes determine the color and flavor of the Champagne.
Blanc de Blanc
This pale, almost clear Champagne’s name translates to “white of white”. This is a delicate white Champagne produced exclusively from green-skinned Chardonnay grapes. It pairs well with light foods, soups, salads, and appetizers.
Blanc de Noir
Blanc de Noir is a white Champagne made from dark-skinned, or black, Pinot Noir grapes. It is usually made exclusively from these grapes, though some Blancs de Noir are made from a mixture of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Blanc de Noir is a heartier Champagne than Blanc de Blanc, suitable for pairing with main courses.
Champagne Rose’
Champagne Rose’ is “pink” Champagne. It starts off as a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Then red wine is added to give the Champagne its rosy pink hue. This results in an aromatic Champagne that goes well with rich food, spicy foods, or as a wonderful accent to any romantic celebration.
Sparkling Wines from Around the World
Sparkling wines are very similar to Champagne, but they are produced outside of the Champagne region, sometimes using different production methods. Sparkling wines offer variety, quality, and often a more affordable price than true French Champagne. Here are some of the most popular varieties of sparkling wines.
Italian Spumante
Italy offers a range of sparklers. Some of the most popular include the sweet Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti. These are made from Muscat grapes in the Asti region of Italy. Dry blends made from Pinot Blanc grapes are also available.
Spanish Cava
Spanish Cava wine is produced according to the traditional method, which requires a second fermentation in a separate bottle to create the bubbly effect. Cava comes in a full range of flavors, from Brut Natural (sugarless) to Dulce (very sweet).
German Sekt
High-quality sparkling wine from Germany is called Sekt (not to be confused with the cheaper Schaumwein). True Sekt is produced using the traditional method for Champagne creation, whereby bubbles are created by natural fermentation instead of artificial CO2 injection. Most Sekt is made from imported grapes, but sparkling wines labelled “Deutcher Sekt” use only German-grown grapes. Sekt B.A. is the most exclusive type of German sparkling wine.
South African Cape Classique
Cape Classique is South African sparkling wine created using the traditional Champagne method. It is typically produced from Sauvignon Blanc or Chenin Blanc grapes, but Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blends are becoming increasingly common.
Australian Sparkling Shiraz
Australia produces a unique sparkling wine made from the black Shiraz grapes. This beverage looks like dark red wine with bubbles. Some producers make it sweet, while others strive for a more traditional, red wine flavor.
American Sparkling Wine
American sparklers are unique and widely varied. Some are produced using the traditional method, while others have carbon dioxide added to them after processing. Others use a modified and less costly version of the traditional method that results in longer-lasting bubbles at a fraction of the cost. Experimentation and customer reviews will help you find the best American sparkling wine to suit your taste.
Now we’ve covered the history of the Champagne region, the importance of grapes, and the world’s best-loved sparkling wines. In part 3 of this series, we will learn about the different methods for making Champagne. Cheers!
