OK – the first thing that needs to be cleared up is the use of the word Champagne. All Champagne is sparkling wine, but very little sparkling wine is Champagne. You may recall from other posts that the French name their wines after where they are grown and not the grape in the bottle. Champagne is a rather small wine region in France, and technically only wines that come from there have the right to be called Champagne. Wine makers outside of France (especially the U.S. and Southern Hemishpere) hoping to cash in on Champagne’s mystic often call their sparkling wines Champagne. They shouldn’t, but they do and the Wine Witch is not going to start swimming against the tide here. If you see sparkling wines in this post or other reviews called Champagne when they are not, just relax and go with it. We all know what we are talking about here.
We might as well take a moment to mention some of the other names sparkling wine can go by. In Italy sparking wine is called Spumante and most of it comes from the area around the town of Asti – hence Asti Spumante. The Spanish call their version Cava while the Germans call theirs Sekt.
The next misconception that needs to be addressed is that Champagne (sparkling wine) is only for New Year’s Eve, weddings, promotions, or other momentous events. Absolutely not true. While the three figure offerings from France should probably be reserved for these occasions, Champagne is actually a great everyday wine. Champagnes tend to have good acidity, delicate flavors, and lower alcohol than many table wines. This makes them very food friendly. There are some great choices in the $25 range and a number of values to be had for $15 or less. Look for some Wine Witch recommendations that will be posted over the next few days.
So now we know that there is not a Champagne grape – so what goes into the stuff. Well it really depends on where it comes from and who is making it. The “real” Champagne is a blend of Chardonnay, Meunier, and Pinot Noir. Most New World offerings are based on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with occasionally other varietals like Chenin Blanc or Muscat clones are blended in.
You are now convinced you want to buy some Champagne or “Champagne”. There is an array of bottles before you with all sorts of descriptive words. Now what? Let’s try to address some of the most common. There are basically two categories. One deals with the type of grapes used and the other is an attempt to describe the degree of sweetness you can expect.
For type of grapes you will encounter Blanc de Blancs which designates white wine made from white grapes; or, Blanc de Noirs which describes white wine made from black (red) grapes. Interesting information, but not necessarily significant to your enjoyment. Below are the most common labels used to describe sweetness. Read carefully, they are not intuitive.
Brut – Dry with no sweetness
Extra Dry – Believe it or not it means slightly sweet
Sec – Literally translates “dry” but is noticeably sweet
Demi-Sec – Again translates “partly dry” but in fact is very sweet.
The last myth to be busted here is saving that bottle of Champagne you recevied at your wedding for your 10th Anniversary or some other distant milestone. Don’t. Most Champagne is non-vintage and is meant to be consumed within one or two years of bottling. There are some vintage dated Champagnes that might benefit from some aging, but not beyond 10 years. You need to know that the result is less lively, but richer and fatter. If you like your Champagne vivacious ,don’t even hold on to a vintage bottle for too long.
Bottom line – Champagne is not just for special occasions. There are offerings to satisfy every taste and pocketbook. One of you first resolutions for 2008 – DRINK MORE CHAMPAGNE!!!
Cheers!
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Posted in Wine Musings | 
Tags: Asti, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Food, France, Italy, Muscat, New Year's Eve, United States | |
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Cheers!
*Hic*