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Champagne Terms To Demystify What You’re Drinking
CHAMPAGNE DECODED
Whether you’re new to bubbles or are a veteran sipper, it doesn’t hurt to find out more about this fascinating world of Champagne! Drop by as we add on more knowledge to kickstart your journey, from how Champagne is made, to the glossary of terms that you often see on bottles and winery websites, which grapes are used in Champagne and so much more. Champagniacs, we got you covered!
A
Assemblage
Most Champagnes are made up of different grape varieties or a blend of different base wines. This blend is referred to as assemblage.
B
Base Wine
A still wine, or vin clair, which is used as a component in the blending of Champagne.
B
Blanc de Blancs
Literally translates as “white of whites” from French. This Champagne is made exclusively from white grapes, which refers to Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, Arbanne or Petit meslier.
B
Blanc de Noirs
Literally translates as “white of reds” from French. This Champagne is made exclusively from red grapes, which refers to Pinot noir or Pinot meunier.
B
Brut
Refers to the amount of sugar, or dosage, added. The most common tier, Brut, contains between 0-12 grams per liter of dosage.
B
Brut Nature
Champagne bottled without any dosage. Also called Non-Dosé or Brut Zéro.
C
Champagniac
Avid lover of Champagne; someone who has attended the highly anticipated Champagniac festival
C
Cuvée
A mark of quality. A cuvée in Champagne refers to the first press of juice from winemaking, which is generally the finest portion.
D
Disgorgement, or Dégorgement
An important process which is the removal of yeast and sediments from the bottle after fermentation and ageing has taken place.
D
Dosage
The addition of sugar to Champagne, balancing acidity and enhancing flavour as it matures. Though modern styles use less, correct dosage ensures harmony and depth.
G
Grand Cru
A classification for Champagne made from grapes grown in one or more of the 17 prestigious villages recognised for exceptional vineyard quality.
G
Grower Champagne
Grower Champagne is the term given to grape growers who farm their own vineyards and produce their own Champagne. The official term is Récoltants-Manipulants (RM) which you may see on some bottles.
P
Perlage
From the French perle (pearl), describing Champagne’s bubbles. Finer, creamy perlage is prized, with size and persistence offering clues to winemaking, age, and temperature.
P
Premier Cru
There are 43 Premier Cru villages in Champagne, which are historically classified based on their quality of grapes.
R
Riddling, or Remuage
The process of gradually turning bottles so sediment gathers in the neck before disgorgement. Once manual, it is now usually automated for efficiency.
T
Traditional Method (Méthode Champagne)
The labour-intensive process where the second fermentation occurs in the same bottle, producing CO₂ that carbonates the wine naturally.
T
Tulip Glass
The ideal Champagne glass. Unlike coupes that lose bubbles quickly or flutes that limit aroma, tulip glasses combine a wide bowl and taper to preserve bubbles while enhancing aromas.
V
Vintage Champagne
When marked as a vintage Champagne, it means that all the grapes come from a single year, as opposed to being blended or assembled from different years.