Understanding Champagne Labels. How to read Champagne labels.
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Who to read the Champagne label? Well, there are over 20 different Champagne terms that you need to know, including different styles of Champagne or levels of sweetness of Champagne.
There are three main types of Champagne, including Blanc de Blancs Champagne, Blanc de Noir Champagne, and Rose Champagne. However, some pink Champagnes are labelled as Rosé de Saignée.
Champagne is divided into seven levels of sweetness. Doux, Sec a d Demi Sec Champagnes are always sweet. Brut, Extra Brut, and Brut Nature are always dry. There is one more term regarding the sweetness level of Champagne called Exra Dry. However, this type of Champagne is off-dry in style.
Did you know there are seven grapes permitted in the Champagne area, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Arbane, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Petit Meslier However, since 2022, there has been one more grape variety on the trial period called Voltis.
The Cru Classification was introduced in 1919. The goal was to set the price of the grapes in each village, according to Terroir.
Term Cuvée on the Champagne label has three different meanings. The first is regarding the term "first-pressed (and best) juice. Cuvée on Champagne label alos means that particular Champagne is a blend, blend of different grapes or blend of different vintages. Lastly, the term Cuvée on the Champagne label can also indicate a prestigious champagne such as Krug Grande Cuvée.
Term Clos refers to the Champagne produced from a single plot or single vineyard. The best examples of Clos Champagne are Pommery Les Clos Pompadour or Philipponnat Clos de Goisses. Term Millesime on the Champagne label refers to the Champagne produced from a single year. Vintage champagne must be aged for a minimum of 3 years before it is released. Great examples of Vintage Champagne are Louis Roederer Cristal, Dom Perignon Champagne, or Drappier Grande Sendree. Assemblage is another Champagne term regarding a blend of different grape varieties or blends of different based wines for a particular Champagne. Some producers list the grape varieties on their back label, such as Champagne Gobillard.
Récoltant-Manipulant is one of the most important Champagne terms and is regarding the Grower Champagne. Grower Champagne can be identified by RM on the Champagne label. Opposite to grower champagne is Negociant-Manipulant, which can be identified by NM on the Champagne label. Dégorgement is another Champagne term that refers to the process of removing the dead yeast sediment (lees) from the bottle after secondary fermentation.
Vielles vignes means old vignes and is regarding to the Champagne produced from older vines, usually 30+ years old
One of the best Vielles Vignes Champagnes is Bollinger Vielles Vignes françaises.
This video was recorded at The Corkscrew Wine and Spirits Merchants in Dublin, located on the front of the Westbury Hotel.
https://www.thecorkscrew.ie/