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Champagne is synonymous with celebration and the drink of celebrity. This is undoubtedly true, but there is rather more to it than that.
It is largely unknown that it is a white wine made with red grapes; that the bubbles were once considered a nuisance; and that it took those perennial influencers of wine, the British, to discover how to strengthen glass to safely contain it. The story of Champagne is every bit as effervescent as the wine it produces.
The Sélection de Parcelles cuvée combines the sensual minerality of the Chardonnay Premier Cru from Villers-Marmery with the elegant power of the Pi... Read More
The Sélection de Parcelles cuvée combines the sensual minerality of the Chardonnay Premier Cru from Villers-Marmery with the elegant power of the Pi... Read More
Vinified as a homage to the exceptional Chardonnays grown on pure chalk from the Montagne de Reims, this single vintage Blanc de Blancs expresses all ... Read More
Vinified as a homage to the exceptional Chardonnays grown on pure chalk from the Montagne de Reims, this single vintage Blanc de Blancs expresses all ... Read More
The perfect expression of the fruity and elegant aromas of Henriet Bazins' Grand Cru plots in Verzenay and Verzy, this blended rosé contains a good p... Read More
The perfect expression of the fruity and elegant aromas of Henriet Bazins' Grand Cru plots in Verzenay and Verzy, this blended rosé contains a good p... Read More
Superb! Perhaps the greatest name in Champagne, producing big rich wines that can live for many years in bottle. One of the truly great champagnes, th... Read More
Superb! Perhaps the greatest name in Champagne, producing big rich wines that can live for many years in bottle. One of the truly great champagnes, th... Read More
Half-way between sec & demi-sec (dry & semi-dry), the cuvée Rich is distinguished by its perfect harmony due to a fine balance between sugar and natu... Read More
Half-way between sec & demi-sec (dry & semi-dry), the cuvée Rich is distinguished by its perfect harmony due to a fine balance between sugar and natu... Read More
Pol Roger Vintage 2018 reveals an exquisite bouquet of white flowers, citrus, and brioche. On the palate, it's rich and creamy with flavours of pear, ... Read More
Pol Roger Vintage 2018 reveals an exquisite bouquet of white flowers, citrus, and brioche. On the palate, it's rich and creamy with flavours of pear, ... Read More
A bright gold robe. Extremely subtle, this 100% pinot noir is discreet & elegant. Delicate spring floral fragrances emerge at first, quickly enveloped... Read More
A bright gold robe. Extremely subtle, this 100% pinot noir is discreet & elegant. Delicate spring floral fragrances emerge at first, quickly enveloped... Read More
The Champagne is a pale, shiny yellow, tinted with delicate shades of gold. The first aroma is floral, followed by combined notes of apricot & Mirabel... Read More
The Champagne is a pale, shiny yellow, tinted with delicate shades of gold. The first aroma is floral, followed by combined notes of apricot & Mirabel... Read More
A light petal pink in colour, this really is as elegant as it looks and is another great wine from this very consistent Champagne house. Aromas of str... Read More
A light petal pink in colour, this really is as elegant as it looks and is another great wine from this very consistent Champagne house. Aromas of str... Read More
The Cuvée chosen for this Champagne is widely blended with Chardonnay, which gives the finesse, lightness and distinction to the style. It is an opul... Read More
The Cuvée chosen for this Champagne is widely blended with Chardonnay, which gives the finesse, lightness and distinction to the style. It is an opul... Read More
This is a great value half bottle of Champagne. The Cuvée chosen for this wine is widely blended with Chardonnay, which gives the finesse, lightness ... Read More
This is a great value half bottle of Champagne. The Cuvée chosen for this wine is widely blended with Chardonnay, which gives the finesse, lightness ... Read More
Outstandingly well balanced Champagne. A golden hue with a subtle bouquet that is delicate but full with strength, freshness and brioche-like characte... Read More
Outstandingly well balanced Champagne. A golden hue with a subtle bouquet that is delicate but full with strength, freshness and brioche-like characte... Read More
A golden colour with a rich, mature nose and toasty flavours on the palate - utterly delicious. Presented in the 'antique' champagne bottle style. Read More
A golden colour with a rich, mature nose and toasty flavours on the palate - utterly delicious. Presented in the 'antique' champagne bottle style. Read More
This superb quality champagne is ideal for every occasion. It has a certain feminine quality given by equal proportions of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Cha... Read More
This superb quality champagne is ideal for every occasion. It has a certain feminine quality given by equal proportions of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Cha... Read More
Champagne acquired bubbles by accident. The cold winters of the region would stop fermentation, but with the coming of spring it would start up again and release carbon dioxide. In one of the greatest ironies in the history of popular myth, the 17th century monk Dom Perignon strived throughout his life to do away with these bubbles. His legendary services to champagne were as the still wine it was supposed to be at the time.
When the British discovered, in the 18th century, the secret of strong-enough glass, the second fermentation was finally encouraged and sparkling champagne was intentionally and commercially produced. It has never looked back.
Types of Wine
Quality, sweetness and style are the key things to look for and the label on the bottle will provide all the clues.
Concerning quality, there are three distinct designations. Non-vintage champagne will be blended from the produce of several years and aim for a standard style; vintage champagne is the fruit of only one year and will have more depth of character and greater ageing potential; Prestige Cuvées are exclusive, excellent and enhanced by age.
Ultra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demi-Sec and Doux are the six categories from driest to sweetest. Sweetness is not created by noble rot but by adding yeast and sugar to the bottle before corking it. Brut, the most popular and common style in the UK, is dry.
Other than the usual blend of three grapes, the following styles of champagne all exist: Blanc de Blancs, made only from Chardonnay; Blanc de Noir, from red grapes only; and Rosé, made by blending red and white wines before bottle fermentation.
Key Vines
It may be surprising to find that two of the three grapes that go into Champagne are red. These are Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Chardonnay, the only white, makes up less than a third of the vines in the whole of the region.