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Choosing champagne involves learning about varieties and labels, sampling different types, and considering where and how it will be served. Labels should show brand, fermentation year, and sweetness level. Champagne from Champagne, France is true champagne, but sparkling wines are similar. Tasting and note-taking can help choose favorites, and the amount to buy depends on the occasion.
The choice of champagne is largely a matter of personal preference. With the wide range of wines available around the world, the choices can seem overwhelming. When choosing this fizzy drink, the first step is often learning about the different varieties and becoming familiar with the terms on the labels. The next step usually involves sampling a few varieties to see which one pleases you the most. It’s also important to consider where and how it will be served.
Champagne labels can be confusing, especially to those inexperienced in reading them. Each label should show the beverage brand, where and what year it was fermented, and some flavor notes. Terms, such as brut and demi-sec, should appear above the year of fermentation and below the name. These terms indicate how sweet or dry the drink is. From the sweetest to the driest, the terms are: doux, demi-sec, sec, extra brut and brut.
Doux, demi-sec and sec champagnes are all very sweet and are classified as dessert wines. This means they can be served with desserts or even as a dessert. Those who like sweetness in their drinks should find this type of champagne very enjoyable. Individuals who prefer drier or less sweet alcoholic beverages should choose extra brut or brut, both of which can be served before, after, or with meals. These terms may also be printed as “extra dry” or “dry” on bottle labels.
The next step in this choice includes choosing between real champagnes – i.e. those from Champagne, France – or sparkling wines. By law, only champagnes from their namesake region in France can be labeled as such, at least in Europe. Some brands from California, USA may also be labeled champagne. Both champagnes and sparkling wines have a bubbly feel and share many of the same taste notes. Some wine experts believe that true champagnes are smoother and more delicate than sparkling wines.
Tasting is one of the most important parts of choosing champagne. Many wine and liquor stores sell miniature bottles of champagne and bubbly, allowing patrons to purchase many different types to sample at home. Local wineries often host wine tastings, either free or for a small fee. These usually include different varieties of champagne. During the tasting, making notes about each variety can help keep track of which types were the most popular.
Choosing how much champagne to buy may depend on when and where it will be served. For personal use or a romantic evening, a single bottle of your favorite strain should suffice. Those hosting dinner parties may want to ask guests what types of drinks they prefer or simply purchase an assortment of both sweet and dry champagnes. These drinks should always be chilled, so serving them straight from the refrigerator or from an ice bucket usually works best.
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