Champagne 101 Different Styles and Levels of Sweetness

Champagne 101: Different Styles and Levels of Sweetness

This post is the second in our two part Champagne Series.
Click to view the first post, Champagne 101: The Region, The Method

Styles of Champagne

Since the wines of Champagne may be produced from one type of grape or more, there are a range of styles from which to choose. Here are some common examples:

Non-Vintage (House Blend) – entry-level bottling produced from a combination of Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier

Vintage (Luxury Blend) – produced from a single harvest, and only in the best years from Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier

Blanc de Blancs – “white of whites,” produced from 100% Chardonnay

Blanc de Noirs – “white of blacks,” white wine produced from Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier

Rosé – often a blend of white and red wine, though it can also be made solely from black grapes

Levels of Sweetness

Although Champagne was originally a sweet wine, today the dry styles are more fashionable to drink. The amount of sugar added during disgorgement determines how sweet a Champagne will taste. The labels of Champagne bottles will always indicate a sweetness level, which can be found bellow, along with their explanation:

Brut Nature – bone dry

Extra Brut – dry

Brut – dry to off-dry

Extra Sec – off-dry to medium-dry

Sec – medium-dry

Demi-sec – medium sweet

Doux – lusciously sweet

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