Champagne comes in many styles, and it’s not always easy to tell them apart. With this short guide, you’ll get more insight into the information on the label, so you can better understand what’s in the bottle.
Dosage
Dosage determines the amount of sugar in a champagne and influences its taste. It’s done by adding a mixture of wine and sugar during the final stage of production. While 90% of champagnes are “Brut”, there are also sweeter styles.
Classification by sugar level:
- Extra Brut: 0 to 6 g of sugar per litre;
- Brut: less than 12 g of sugar per litre;
- Extra Dry: 12 to 17 g of sugar per litre;
- Sec: 17 to 32 g of sugar per litre;
- Demi-Sec: 32 to 50 g of sugar per litre;
- Doux: more than 50 g of sugar per litre.
Grape varieties
The grape varieties listed on the label give insight into the champagne’s flavour profile.
- Chardonnay: brings freshness, minerality, and notes of citrus and white flowers.
- Pinot Noir: adds body and structure, with flavours of red fruit, violets and roses.
- Meunier: adds fruity notes, roundness, and flavours of apples, pears and yellow fruit.
Blanc de Blancs is made exclusively from white grapes (mainly Chardonnay).
Blanc de Noirs is made exclusively from black grapes, such as Pinot Noir and/or Meunier.
Vintage
A champagne can be vintage, meaning it’s made from grapes harvested in one exceptionally good year. It’s a sign of exclusivity and quality.
Brand
Some champagne brands are iconic and synonymous with quality. Each producer has a unique style and signature, shaped by choices in the vineyard and the cellar. This makes every bottle recognisable and unique.
Labels and certifications
On some bottles, you’ll see labels such as Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) or Organic, indicating the champagne was produced in an eco-friendly and sustainable way.
With this knowledge, you can confidently choose a champagne that perfectly matches your wishes and those of your customers.