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Serving the best champagne to guests can add spirit and glamour to a special occasion like none other! It also makes sense to send champagne gift to a loved one on his or her anniversary or birthday. But choosing the best bubbly is far easier said than done. And since champagne is pretty expensive and the taste, aroma and feel depends a lot on the region it hails from as well as the production methods, picking the right one can be daunting. Plus, the labelling on the bottle can leave you utterly confused if you are not aware of some basic aspects of good champagne. So, before you avail online champagne delivery services, here are the things you need to know:
First things first; champagne refers only to those sparkling wines that are produced in the Champagne region in France. So, for starters, check the label to make sure you are picking champagne!
The sweetness level of champagne is indicated by special words that you need to be aware of. While Brut Nature means there is no added sweetness in the wine, doux means champagne that has very sweet flavours and goes well with desserts. The range in between is defined by Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Dry and Demi-Sec, indicating increasing levels of sweetness. Most champagne have a Brut level of sweetness and this is essential to counter the high acidity of this wine.
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay are the three types of grapes that go into making champagne. Other rarer grapes used are Petite Meslier, Arbane, Fromenteau and Pinot Blanc. So, the style of champagne basically indicates how the grapes were used.
Like, Blanc de Blancs are made entirely from white grapes or the wine is completely chardonnay. These champagnes have apple or lemony flavours. Blanc de Noirs on the other hand are entirely made of black grapes and usually come with white raspberry and strawberry flavours. The Rose style champagne is a blend of Blanc champagne with a hint of red Pinot Noir. Apart from having raspberry and strawberry flavours, this champagne is highly acidic with low tannin.
champagnes that have been aged on tirage have a toasty and nutty aroma. So, if you want to pick up vintage champagne, choose one that has been aged for at least 3 years. These boast of a yeasty and creamy style.
Non-vintage champagne on the other hand is aged for at least 15 months and has fruitier aromas than its vintage counterparts. It might also help you to know that the best champagnes are usually aged for 5 to 7 years.
The grapes that are used for making champagne are usually grown in three kinds of vineyardsPremier Cru, Autre Cru and Grand Cru. Note that these can be spread over various communes. But currently, only 17 communes have Grand Cru vineyards and 42 have Premier Cru vineyards. Now, when you see words like Premier Cru or Grand Cru on the bottle, you will know that the champagne has been made from exceptional grapes and will be flavourful and aromatic.
Are you all set now to pick up high quality champagne that will thrill the palate of your guests? Then go online to choose sparkling champagne that suits your preferences and budget and get ready to receive generous appreciation. Try and stick to big champagne houses or well-known producers, to be on the safe side.
