Collection: Champagne

Champagne comes exclusively from the demarcated Champagne AOC in north-eastern France. The name is legally protected, so even sparkling wine made by exactly the same method elsewhere may not call itself Champagne. At Copenhagen Wine we carry wines from Champagne itself, and this is where our entire selection of this sparkling wine has its home.

Three grapes account for by far the most: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier together make up around 99 percent of the plantings. In addition there are rare, permitted grapes such as Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, which you encounter far more sporadically. The composition leaves its mark on the style, and that is why you find several expressions: Blanc de Blancs made solely from white grapes (typically Chardonnay), Blanc de Noirs from black grapes (Pinot Noir and/or Meunier) as well as rosé.

What makes Champagne Champagne is the traditional method (méthode traditionnelle, also called méthode champenoise). Here the second fermentation takes place in the bottle itself, and it is this that creates the bubbles. The rules set requirements for ageing on the lees: at least 15 months for non-vintage and 36 months for vintage. After disgorgement the wine rests for at least a further 3 months (and at least 6 months for vintage) before it may be sent to market. That time gives Champagne its depth and finesse.

When you set out to find the right bottle, it is worth looking at the sweetness, which runs from the completely dry end to the sweet. Driest is Brut Nature (also called Non Dosé), followed by Extra Brut and Brut, while Extra Dry, Sec and Demi-Sec gradually become rounder, and Doux is sweetest. If you want something lean and fresh, head towards the dry end. If you are looking for a softer style, you can move towards Sec or Demi-Sec.

Our entire selection comes from Champagne in France, so whether you are looking for a Blanc de Blancs, a Blanc de Noirs or a rosé, you can navigate by grape composition and sweetness and find a style that suits the occasion.