Everything You Need to Know About Champagne
Champagne is a sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France. It is one of the most famous wines in the world and is often associated with celebrations and special occasions. Champagne evokes a sense of opulence, sparkle and fun. At Bacchus Wines PLDC, we believe that life without it is just not worth living, even if you enjoy it a few times a year.
Champagne was first made in the Champagne region of France in the 17th century. The region is known for its chalky soil, ideal for growing grapes. The traditional Champagne grapes are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Champagne is made through a process called méthode champenoise, which involves secondary fermentation in the bottle. This gives Champagne its characteristic bubbles.
Types of Champagne
There are different types of Champagne, and here are the main ones:
- Vintage Champagne made from grapes from a single year
- Non-vintage Champagne made from a blend of grapes from different years
- Blanc de Blancs is made from only white grapes, typically Chardonnay
- Blanc de noirs is Champagne made from only black grapes, typically Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier
- Rosé champagne is Champagne made with red grapes, which gives it a pink colour
Champagne Pairing
Champagne is delicious on its own as a toast or treat, but it is also excellent with food. It can be paired with a wide variety of foods, including:
- Appetizers: Champagne is a great meal starter and can be paired with oysters, caviar, or smoked salmon
- Fish: Champagne works well with lighter fish dishes, such as shellfish, halibut, or sea bass.
- Chicken: Champagne can also be paired with chicken dishes, such as roasted chicken or chicken piccata.
- Dessert: Champagne is a popular choice for dessert wine and can be paired with fruits, pastries, or chocolate.
In particular, we love Champagne with cheese. When paired together, they create an exceptional experience. The bubbles in the Champagne cleanse the palate between bites of cheese, allowing you to appreciate the flavours of each fully. The acidity in the Champagne also helps to cut through the richness of the cheese, making it more enjoyable to eat.
Read our Champagne and Cheese – Is There a More Decadent Pairing blog to learn more!
Serving Champagne
Champagne should be served chilled but not too cold! This is important to get the full benefit of flavour and nuances. The ideal serving temperature is around 7-9 degrees Celcius. Champagne should be served in a coupe, flute, and tulip, which allows the bubbles to rise to the top and dissipate slowly.
How to open Champagne
- Open the bottle with care. To avoid spillage, hold the cork firmly in place with one hand and twist the bottle with the other
- Pour slowly. Champagne is fizzy, so pour it slowly to avoid making a mess.
- Aerate the wine. Before serving, swirl the Champagne in the glass to aerate it. This will release the flavours and aromas.
- Enjoy!
Our Favourite Champagne
At Bacchus Wines PLDC, we have a UK-exclusive partnership with Champagne house Paul Lebrun.
Founded in 1902, Paul Lebrun draws its inspiration from multi-generational winemaking know-how. The vineyards of the Maison are located mainly on the prestigious Côte des Blancs in Cramant, one of the 17 villages classified as Grand Cru in Champagne. Through their wines, the Vignier-Lebrun family seeks to highlight Chardonnay’s unique character and rich taste. It is the only grape variety grown on their chalky soils south of Épernay and on the soils rich in rolled pebbles in Sézanne, which are rare in the Champagne vineyards. Aged in cellars dug into limestone, keeping the temperatures constant all year round, offering quality and consistency.
The Paul Lebrun Champagne collection features three remarkable cuvees available online or through consultation.
Carte d’Or Brut is “a champagne to enjoy anytime”. It is dedicated to giving the note of conviviality essential to a triumphant welcome. It comprises 100% Chardonnay grapes, offering a brilliant pale gold colour, fine bubbles, and a nose of candied lemon, peaches and pears.
Extra Brut Champagne is “the ultimate expression of a great champagne”. A flurry of delicate bubbles enhances the yellow robe with golden glints. It is a champagne that is not overly sweet but precise and elegant.
Cuvée Prestige by Paul Lebrun is a refined and elegant champagne meeting the highest expectations of demanding connoisseurs. It is aged on lees for at least forty-eight months and produced in vats and oak barrels.
