Wine world

The sparkling elixir at the heart of the festive season

Mon, Nov 27, 2023 at 18:00

At Christmas, champagne takes centre stage. Brut, demi-sec or doux, U'wine will help you choose the perfect champagne for your festive season!

With Christmas just around the corner, the legendary champagne is making a comeback. Brut, demi-sec or doux... Not sure how to choose the perfect champagne? Here are a few tips from U'wine.

A little history...

The history of champagne dates back to the 17th century in the Champagne region of France. Benedictine monks, masters of the art of viticulture, played a crucial role in the initial development of this effervescent beverage. However, it is the monk Dom Pérignon who is often credited with perfecting the production method, making champagne clearer and more sparkling. Today, every bottle of champagne is the fruit of a centuries-old tradition, evoking the unique marriage of terroir and savoir-faire. But how do you choose the perfect champagne?

An eclectic range

The world of champagne is a mosaic of delicate flavours, each defined by its own character and sparkling personality. As many subtle variations as there are colours, they reflect production methods, terroirs and grape varieties, making the choice of a champagne an adventure rich in nuance and discovery.

Champagne varieties

Embracing the purity of champagne without artifice, extra brut is a dynamic dance of flavours, chiselled and without dosage, revealing only its natural sugars. With a sugar content often below 6 grams per litre, it is a delight for connoisseurs, an invitation to explore new flavours and delicate aromas.
The signature of a unique taste, brut champagne is dry, with a sugar content generally below 12 grams per litre. A celebration of the grape variety, the terroir and the talent of the winemaker, brut champagne is the undisputed star of every house. It is the perfect accompaniment to any meal, offering a palette of flavours ranging from fresh fruit to hints of brioche.
Less high-profile than their peers, these champagnes are making a comeback. Defying the minimalist trend in sugar dosage with 12 to 17 grams per litre, their freshness and lightness open the way to unexpected combinations of flavours.
Traditionally associated with desserts, the demi-sec has a higher sugar content: between 17 and 32 grams per litre. This well-balanced champagne, with its cheerful bubbles, evokes a suave sparkle that envelops every tasting experience in memorable sweetness.
With its powerful aromatic structure, sweet champagne is the sweetest wine on the scale, with a dosage of over 32 grams per litre. Each sip floods the palate with a delicious explosion of sweet flavours, and is often reserved for special occasions or pairings with very sweet desserts.
Finer and more distinguished, the Blanc de Blancs, made exclusively from Chardonnay, seduces with its liveliness and delicacy. Its light colour tells a story of elegance.
Less well known, the Blanc de Noirs reveals contrasting, powerful aromas, almost equivalent to a still wine. White in appearance, this champagne is actually made from red grape varieties such as Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier. A fascinating experience to explore throughout a refined meal.
Fashionable with its summery colour, pink champagne is made by macerating red grape skins with must or by the subtle addition of red Champagne wine. A brut delight that embodies modernity, it offers aromas of red fruit.
Champagne artisans create works of art with vintage wines, capturing the unique characteristics of a particular harvest year. They are often the choice of connoisseurs looking for a more complex experience.

The keys to choosing the perfect champagne

Choosing a bottle of champagne can often be seen as a delicate art, a quest in which each bubble holds a promise of gustatory pleasure. Deciding on the perfect champagne requires a subtle understanding of nuances, grape varieties and brands.

Knowing your preferences

The first step in finding the perfect bottle is to know your own tastes. If you prefer a round, indulgent champagne, opt for a predominantly Pinot Meunier variety. For those looking for a more racy, powerful and structured experience, pinot noir is the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a fresh, elegant and voluptuous champagne, opt for a predominantly Chardonnay variety.

Understanding grape varieties

The Champagne region only allows three grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Understanding these grape varieties will enable you to make more informed choices when making your purchase. Each brings distinct characteristics to the champagne, helping to create a unique sensory experience.

Recognising a good champagne

A good champagne is distinguished by its perfect balance between acidity and sweetness. The experience on the palate reveals its finesse and freshness, while the quality of the bubbles is an essential indicator. A fine bubble often indicates better quality. To help you in your quest, choose champagnes that offer a harmonious balance of flavours and a pleasant mouthfeel.

Choice of brand

The market is full of famous brands such as Ruinart, Deutz, Bollinger, Roederer and Moët & Chandon. Each of these brands has its own specific characteristics, and personal preference plays a crucial role in the choice of brand. If you're looking for a more affordable option without compromising on quality, grower-owned champagnes are an excellent alternative.

And it's POP!

As the festive season approaches, the invitation is out: dive into the delicate art of choosing the champagne that will light up your celebrations. Whether it's to accompany a festive meal or to toast the New Year, every detail counts. Discover your preference among the subtle nuances, and let yourself be guided by tradition and excellence.

After all, the festive season deserves to be illuminated by the sparkling bubbles of a carefully chosen champagne. Happy holidays and here's to you!

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