Champagne: world icon of elegance
Champagne is the most renowned and appreciated sparkling wine in the world.
The French region of Champagne is divided into five production areas: Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, Côte de Sézanne and Aube. Each area is dedicated to the cultivation of the different grapes used for production.
Pinot Noir is mainly cultivated in the Montagne de Reims area and south of the Côte de Bar. Chardonnay is cultivated in the Côte des Blancs and the Côte de Sézanne and Pinot Meunier in the area of the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne.
The success and quality of this famous French icon depends both on the extraordinary terroir of the region and the production method. In addition, the centuries-old tradition and the quality of the grape varieties used for production must be taken into account.
What are the different types of Champagne?
The Champagne region is very complex from a geographical point of view. For this reason, defining the best Champagne is not an easy job. Also choosing a suitable one for an occasion is quite difficult.
First of all, it is important to know the different types. The taste varies depending on the type of grape used, the terroir, and the winemaking process.
They are divided in Blanc de Noirs and Blanc de Blancs. The grapes used for the production are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Blanc de Noir are made from Pinot Noir or Petit Meunier grapes and are produced in the Reims mountain area in the heart of the region.
Pinot Noir-based Blanc de Noirs have a noble and powerful structure.
Petit Meunier-based Blanc de Noirs are produced in Tours-sur-Marne in the Marne Valley and are characterized by soft and seductive notes.
Instead, we recommend the Blanc de Blancs made by Chardonnay grapes, if you prefer delicate notes and an elegant structure.
Chardonnay grapes give aromas of bright fruitiness, lime-blossom, citrus and white flower. Pinot Meunier gives floral and fruity notes and a fresh strawberry aroma. Pinot Noir grapes give a complex flavour and body, with hints of peonies, violets, and cherry fruit.
Champagne should smell like freshly baked bread with a hint of croissant and wet limestone.
A high-quality Champagne has a velvety texture that can be described as peach, almond, citrus, cream and even toast.
The different levels of sweet are:
Brut Nature with 0-3g/l;
Extra Brut 0-6g/l;
Brut0-12g/l;
Extra Dry 12-17g/l;
Dry 17-32g/l;
Demi-Sec 32-50g/l;
Doux 50+g/l.
Whichever one you prefer, you will find many options on Vino.com.
How long does Champagne last?
An open Champagne lasts up to 3-5 days, depending on how you store it.
An uncorked Champagne can last up to 10 years, but it depends on different factors. A vintage one can last to 10 years, whereas a non-vintage one for 3 to 5 years. It mostly depends on how you store the bottle, if it is in optimal conditions it lasts longer.
The best way to store Champagne is in a cool, dark place away from heat, light and vibrations. The bottles should lay horizontally, because if the bottle is stored upright, the cork could dry out and let air into the bottle, causing oxidation. Recommended temperature is 10°C-13°C.
Why is Dom Pérignon Champagne so renowned?
Champagne Dom Pérignon is perhaps the most famous Champagne in the world. It is appreciated by all enthusiasts and it is a true symbol of elegance and originality.
The origin of the name is linked to the Benedictine abbot Dom Pierre Pérignon, who became cellarer of the abbey of Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers in 1668. The abbot had the brilliant intuition to make Champagne wine for the first time, he understood the importance of caring for the vineyards and production. 'Dom' was in fact the title reserved for Benedictine monks and ecclesiastics in general.
In 1936, in memory of Pierre Pérignon, the Maison Moët & Chandon decided to commemorate the prestige of this great experimenter by using reserve wines to create the first official Champagne Dom Pérignon.
The uniqueness of Dom Pérignon lies in the use of the best Pinot Noir (in a small percentage) and Chardonnay grapes and in the exclusion of Pinot Meunier. All Dom Pérignon Champagnes are vintage wines, i.e. made from grapes from the same vintage. The Champenoise Method is used to produce the Champagne and it involves a second fermentation in bottle.
The production of Dom Pérignon is of the highest quality. The main factors influencing its quality are the location of the vineyards and the care taken in cultivating the grapes. No less important is the production process and the long ageing on lees.
A fun fact is that in 1981, Dom Pérignon was chosen for the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles. The magnums of Dom Pérignon Vintage 1961, served on that July 29, carried a special insignia created just for the ceremony.
Buying Champagne online
Champagne is a prestigious, exclusive and elegant product. Today, thanks to e-commerce, you can enjoy the privilege of tasting a good bottle of Champagne at affordable prices.
Among our Champagnes you will find the most famous brands such as: Moët & Chandon Champagne, Ruinart, Veuve Clicquot and Laurent-Perrier Champagne. The elegant Mumm, Billecart-Salmon, Bollinger Champagne, Charles Heidsieck and Taittinger.
In addition, you will find Champagne Philipponnat, Bruno Paillard, Louis Roederer, Perrier-Jouët's 'Belle Époque' and the legendary 'Dom Pérignon'.
Discover the pleasure of buying a fine bottle of Champagne on Vino.com. For each label you will find which are the best pairings, so you can easily choose the perfect Champagne for every occasion.
Champagne AOC Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru La Côte aux Enfants 2013 Bollinger
The Champagne La Côte aux Enfants by Bollinger is the first cuvée to originate from a single Grand Cru vineyard of the same name, located in Aÿ, made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes. The refinement of this prestigious bubble takes place in the cellars of the maison for a period double that required by the denomination.
In the glass it has a brilliant golden yellow color. The nose opens with hints of menthol, ripe citrus fruits and acacia honey. In the mouth it is lively and complex, fresh and bal...
View product pageChampagne AOC Brut Premier Cru Petite Vallée
The Champagne Petite Vallée Brut Premier Cru celebrates 35 years of Vallepicciola thanks to the collaboration between Forget-Brimont and Vallepicciola. This champagne comes from the Montagne de Reims area, the result of the blend of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay, selected from the best plots of the 19 hectares of the estate.
The manual harvest and vinification, which includes whole bunch pressing and alcoholic and malolactic fermentation at 17°C in thermoregulated stainless steel vats, give ...
View product pageChampagne AOC Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Chemin de Reims Chartogne-Taillet
The Chemin de Reims Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut by Chartogne Taillet is a Champagne produced exclusively from Chardonnay grapes from vineyards located in the village of Merfy, on the southern slope of the Saint-Thierry Massif, north-west of Reims. This Champagne is the result of cultivation that deeply respects the environment, nature, ecosystem and biodiversity, with soil processing carried out through the exclusive use of horses to avoid soil compaction.
A meticulous winemaking process follows w...
View product pageChampagne AOC Extra Brut Les Pommiers 2019 Philippe Lancelot
Les Pommiers is a sparkling wine produced in the Epernay region, known for its distinctive terroir and its exposure to the sun which gives freshness to the Meunier grapes. This wine is obtained from a mass selection of Meunier, planted in 1968 on a chalky soil which contributes to the complexity and immediacy of the fruit. Les Pommiers represents family heritage, with vineyards cultivated for generations to ensure the highest quality.
The vinification of Les Pommiers takes place partly in wood an...
View product pageChampagne AOC Grand Cru Nature Blanc de Blancs Cramant 2019 Philippe Lancelot
Philippe Lancelot's Champagne Grand Cru Nature Blanc de Blancs Cramant comes from vineyard plots located in the surroundings of Cramant, a Grand Cru classification village in the Côte des Blancs. The soil, almost exclusively made up of a block of pure chalk that emerges on the surface, is ideal for the cultivation, carried out according to the rules of biodynamics, of the Chardonnay vine.
The fermentation was completed with techniques that respect the natural integrity of the wine, followed by ag...
View product pageChampagne AOC Extra Brut 4 Éléments Pinot Meunier La Grosse Pierre 2018 Huré Frères
The Champagne 4 Eléments Pinot Meunier La Grosse Pierre by Huré Frères comes from the Lieu-Dit Le Grosse Pierre, a terroir with soil rich in clay and layers of chalk, located in the Premier Cru of Ludes. These historic vineyards, planted in 1963, give the wine a unique depth and character, enhanced by careful viticulture that respects the territory.
The fermentation and refinement of this champagne take place in demi-muids, a method that preserves and accentuates the natural qualities of Meunier,...
View product pageChampagne AOC Extra Brut 4 Éléments Pinot Noir La Perthe 2018 Huré Frères
The Champagne 4 Eléments Pinot Noir La Perthe by Huré Frères is a faithful expression of the characteristics of the terroir of "La Perthe" in Ludes, characterized by a clay-sandy soil on chalk. This area is renowned for producing Pinot Noir of exceptional quality, which is reflected in every bottle of this cuvée, produced as a vintage.
The winemaking process takes place in demi-muids, a method that allows for delicate fermentation and refinement, preserving the nuances of the grape variety and en...
View product pageChampagne AOC Extra Brut 4 Éléments Chardonnay Les Blanches Voies 2018 Huré Frères
The Champagne 4 Eléments Chardonnay Les Blanches Voies by Huré Frères comes from the Montagne de Reims, an area with noticeably chalky soil and excellent southern exposure which favors the ripening of Chardonnay grapes.
The winemaking involves the use of demi-muidi barrels, without malolactic fermentation, to preserve the natural acidity and subtle aromatic nuances. Subsequently, the wine undergoes refermentation in the bottle according to the Champenoise Method.
It presents a fine and persistent ...
View product pageChampagne AOC Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Egly-Ouriet
The Champagne Blanc de Noirs Gran Cru Brut from Egly-Ouriet, a famous family production from Ambonnay, is distinguished by its provenance from the historic vineyard "Les Crayères", planted in 1946 and classified as Grand Cru. Located in the heart of the Montagne de Reims, this domaine is known for its exceptional soil just 30 centimeters from the "craie", a layer of chalk that gives unique characteristics to the wine.
The Blanc de Noirs winemaking process involves spontaneous fermentation in barr...
View product pageChampagne AOC Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant 2014 Larmandier-Bernier
The Champagne Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant from the Larmandier-Bernier house comes entirely from vines between 60 and 85 years of age in the Grand Cru of Cramant. Initially named Vieille Vigne de Cremant, it changed its name to the current one to avoid confusion with the Crémant denomination, referring to its favorable south-east exposure.
The Chardonnay bunches are softly pressed and the resulting juice is immediately transferred into wooden barrels where a sponta...
View product pageChampagne AOC Les Blanches Voies Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru 2012 Vilmart & Cie
The Champagne Extra Brut Les Blanches Voies is a wine from the Maison Vilmart & Cie, which has been producing champagne for 5 generations in Rilly-la-Montaigne, at the foot of the Reims mountain.
It is obtained from 100% Chardonnay grapes, classified as "Premier Cru" from 60-year-old vines. After the classic vinification processes, the sparkling process takes place according to the Champenoise Method, through refermentation in the bottle, with an aging of 10 months in oak barrels. Once bottled, t...
View product pageChampagne AOC Extra Brut Symbiose 2014 Minière F&R
Minière F&R's Symbiose Millésime Champagne is an equal blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, coming from the lieux-dits Les Voirmissa and Les Moineaux in the Montagne de Reims. This cuvée represents the perfect balance between the two varieties, best expressing the terroir of these selected parcels. The Minière winery, with a history dating back to 1919, has cultivated these vines with great care and respect for nature.
The vinification and aging take place in wooden barrels, followed by maturation...
View product pageChampagne AOC Extra Brut Les Voirmissa 2017 Minière F&R
The Champagne Les Voirmissa by Minière F&R is a blend of Pinot Noir and Meunier in equal parts, coming from old vines over 50 years old in the Montagne de Reims. The Minière winery, founded in 1919, has a long winemaking tradition, with a deep respect for the terroir and the surrounding nature, which is reflected in the quality of their grapes.
The vinification takes place in wooden barrels, with aging on the yeasts for six years. This process gives the wine a complex structure and extraordinary ...
View product pageChampagne AOC Brut Nature Les Moineaux 2017 Minière F&R
The Champagne Les Moineaux by Minière F&R is a Blanc de Blancs obtained from 100% Chardonnay grapes, coming from the Lieu-Dit of the same name in the Montagne de Reims. The vines, over 50 years old, are cultivated with great respect for nature, reflecting the traditional approach of the Minière winery, founded in 1919 and located near Hermonville.
The vinification takes place in wooden barrels, with aging on the yeasts for five years. This process gives the wine a complex structure and remarkable...
View product pageChampagne AOC Sans Dosage Franc de Pieds 2015 Minière F&R
Champagne Minière F&R Franc de Pieds is produced from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, coming from historic vineyards located mainly in Hermonville. The characteristic "Franc de Pieds" indicates that the vines are ungrafted, that is, not grafted onto American roots, a rarity that adds uniqueness to the wine.
The winemaking process of this Champagne Sans Dosage includes fermentation and aging in oak barrels, without malolactic fermentation. This method preserves the natural acidity and fre...
View product pageChampagne AOC Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs La Vigne à Alfred 2017 Minière F&R
Champagne Minière F&R La Vigne à Alfred is a prestigious Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut from the Champagne region, France. This wine is produced exclusively from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, coming from old, non-grafted vineyards, located in the best terroirs of the area. The name "La Vigne à Alfred" pays homage to the tradition and history of the Minière family.
Winemaking takes place in oak barrels, with prolonged aging on the yeasts to add complexity and depth. The process excludes malolactic ferm...
View product pageChampagne AOC Grand Cru Extra Brut Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger Coeur de Terroir 2009 Pascal Doquet
Pascal Doquet's Champagne Cœur de Terroir Le Mesnil sur Oger is a refined Blanc de Blancs produced with 100% Chardonnay grapes from the prestigious village of Le Mesnil Sur Oger, in the Côte des Blancs. This champagne is classified as a Grand Cru, reflecting the excellence of the terroir from which it comes. The production is followed entirely according to the principles of biodynamics.
The winemaking takes place with a soft pressing of the grapes and the alcoholic fermentation takes place in sta...
View product pageChampagne AOC Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru 2015 Nicolas Feuillatte
This Vintage Grand Cru Champagne by Nicolas Feuillatte is made from fine Pinot Noir grapes coming exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims. Refines on the yeasts for at least 6 years in Nicolas Feuillatte's quarries.
Golden yellow in color with amber reflections and with a fine perlage, it opens on the nose with notes of yellow summer fruits such as peach and plum, followed by spicy aromas of white pepper and cinnamon. The sip is generous and elegant.
Excellent both as an aper...
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