GOOD CHAMPAGNE

GOOD CHAMPAGNE 

BRUT (NON VINTAGE)

GOOD CHAMPAGNE 

This is the most widely drunk type of Champagne: dry ,but not too dry. This main product of the Champagne houses contains a maximum of 1.5% by volume of residual sugar . Brut is made from a blend of the three classic grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. As a rule they come from different parts of Champagne and from different years.

A young brut is fresh and boisterous, its colour pale yellow, occasionally with a sparkle of pink, depending on the blend, a young brut will smell of either white fruit (almond, green apple) or red fruit 'grape, raspberry), with the suggestion of hot white bread. It is a perfect aperitif but can also be served with most light starters.

A mature brut (older than three years) will be less fresh but fuller and more herbal in taste. The colour tends towards darker yellow with hints of orange and the smell is reminiscent of ripe apple, dried fruit, spices, and sometimes of black cherry or blackcurrant (lots of Pinot Noir). In terms of both nose and taste it has something of French croissants or brioche. The wine is ideal with fish and poultry.

A fully aged brut (older than five years) is less rumbustious in terms of carbon dioxide bubbles but will have acquired a full, complex, and very rich, almost creamy taste. The colour is dark yellow with hints of brown. The smell is reminiscent of roasted nuts and dried fruit with occasional suggestions of the tertiary aromas of coffee and sometimes even of old leather. This wine can be drunk on any occasion.

VINTAGE BRUT (MILLESIME)

GOOD CHAMPAGNE 

This brut has the same characteristics as ordinary brut but is only made in years when a vintage is declared.

BRUTS BLANCS DE BLANCS

Champagne Blanc de Blancs is made exclusively from the Chardonnay grape and is hence a white wine from white grapes. It may be either vintage or non vintage. This is normally a fresh, fruity wine with lots of fine acidity.

The colour is pale yellow with a green haze when young, turning increas­ingly yellow to golden as it ages. A young brut Blancs de Blancs has tempting aromas of citrus fruits, fresh mint, wild flowers, and an also shameless freshness. A Cuvee Brut Blanc de mature brut Blancs de Blancs Millesime.Blancs tends more towards a freshly-picked posy of wild flowers, ripe fruit, and a hint of lime blossom. Although still very fresh, this wine is more rounded and full-bodied than when young. The taste is fuller and more balanced.

A fully-aged brut Blancs de Blancs is a bowl filled with exotic fruits, with suggestions of freshly-ground pepper and spices.

BRUT BLANCS DE NOIRS

This Champagne is extremely rare. This is a robust and very tasty white wine, produced from the blue- black Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes.

EXTRA DRY/EXTRA SEC

GOOD CHAMPAGNE 

Normally only found on labels intended for the American or British markets. Perhaps the motto is: 'Call them dry but make them sweet' for these Champagnes contain 1.2-2% residual sugar .

SEC

Rather confusing with the same comment as above. This wine is not truly dry and contains between 1.7 and 3.5% residual sugar .

DEMI-SEC

This wine is delightful, slightly sweet, and has 3.3-5% residual sugar.

DOUX

This is the sweetest of all with a minimum of 5% residual sugar.

PINK (ROSE)

Pink Champagne of Champagne Rose is made using still red wine (Cumieres, Bouzy) of Champagne, which are added to the Cuvee. Pink Champagne is sold as straight-forward brut, vintage brut, and brut demi-sec.

The colour varies from pale pink, through salmon pink, to even raspberry and cherry red. Pink Champagne truly seduces and is a superb aperitif. Served at table, pink Champagne best accompanies meat dishes and poultry.