How To Choose a Champagne

Champagne is no longer reserved for the upper classes or for special occasions. Today, there are many brands of champagne available for every budget. They range greatly in flavor, making it difficult to choose a champagne based on brand or price alone. Choosing a champagne requires knowledge of the various terms that may be used on the labels. Here’s how to choose a champagne:

1. Learn about the champagne process. Champagne is white wine that has been allowed to ferment a second time after the bottling process. This second fermentation is when champagne develops its distinctive bubbles. Red grapes, not just white grapes, can be used in the making of champagne. The various grapes involved in the making of champagne include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Muscat, and others. True champagnes come only from specific regions in France; the same product using grapes from outside France is known as “sparkling wine” and it also gets its name from the bubbles added during the second fermentation stage. According to many, the region of production greatly impacts the flavor of the champagne or sparkling wine, even when using the same variety of grapes.
2. Understand dryness in champagne. One of the key differences among different bottles of champagne is the dryness. Champagnes range on a continuum from dry to sweet. Brut champagne is dry, and it is a good all-purpose choice for everything from appetizers to desserts. Extra-dry champagne is recommended for desserts or fruit, and it has a semi-sweet taste. If a bottle of champagne is labeled “dry,” reserve it for pre-dinner cocktails or following dessert.
3. Learn about other champagne characteristics. Champagne may also be described as creamy or yeasty, crisp or full, and as having full bubbles or delicate bubbles. Each of these, of course, impacts its flavor. Your choice depends on your personal preferences.
4. Know what makes champagnes more valuable. The highest priced champagnes are those that were made from a single harvest season which the wine community has determined an exceptional year. Most champagnes are actually a combination of the current harvest with older wines; each brand uses a unique blend to create its own distinctive style. Rare blends are known as tete de cuvee champagnes; these are generally more expensive than a given brand’s other champagnes.
5. Familiarize yourself with different champagnes. Consider a champagne tasting event, which gives you the opportunity to sample the flavors of different champagnes. Consider purchasing unusual flavors such as melon, peach, or apricot champagne if you are looking for something that’s a bit out of the ordinary. Above all, base your champagne choice on your own personal tastes. Though there are higher and lower quality champagnes at every price range, ultimately your taste buds should be your guide.

Champagne is a very popular drink for celebrations or a sweet after-dinner treat. This is one of the easiest wines to choose, as long as you know how dryness and other flavor characteristics affect the occasions at which the champagne may be enjoyed.