Champagne News
Champagne Deutz: Harvest Report 2021
The year 2021 is in stark contrast to the previous ‘very sunny’ vintages; and the harvest, with its capricious weather, was like the vine’s cycle has been: tricky! We had it all in 2021: frost in spring, severe thunderstorms sometimes accompanied by hail, heavy rainfall leading to an unparalleled threat of mildew and a deterioration…
The Best Champagne Glass Shape for enjoying Bubbly
There is always a debate surrounding the best glass to enjoy Champagne in. For many, and on most occasions, it will simply be the glass that is handy which is the best as most of us will simply want to enjoy the Champagne as it is poured and we will have little interest in studying…
Is Champagne Vegan?
So firstly, let us delve into what exactly is Veganism. The translation works out as to being a style / type of vegetarian diet that excludes all meat and dairy products including other animal derived ingredients and those foods processed using animal products / labour. There are quite a few yes and no answers to…
Champagne Truths and Myths
Champagne. Nine letters, two syllables, a region, a name, a wine and a passion… There is something quite special about Champagne. Be it seen as a luxury, an aspiration, a celebration, a tasting experience, a hobby and for many, the benchmark. With some 34,300 hectares of vineyards, the Champagne region holds around 15,000 growers in…
Differences between Champagne Rosé & Rosé de Saignée
Anyone for some pink fizz? Rosé Champagne is always a popular option and will delight many faces when poured. Full of red berry fruit delights including such descriptions as ‘strawberries and cream’, rosé Champagne is a popular choice from attending matches at Wimbledon to pairing with fine gastronomical desserts. What makes Rosé Champagne ‘pink‘? The…
Ratafias Champenois Julien Chopin
I’m sure that if I mention Champagne then I will be surrounded by many smiling faces expecting to share in the delights of a glass of bubbly or two… but there is another (hidden) gem that Champagne holds – #RatafiaChampenois. What is Ratafia Champenois? Ratafia Champenois is a sweet (fortified style) wine with a minimum…
5 Rosé Champagnes
A glass of Champagne, sir? Why, yes, thank you very much! Oh, waiter, I think there’s something wrong with this Champagne How so, sir? It’s pink It’s meant to be sir, it’s Rosé Champagne Rosé Champagne, Rosé Champagne, Rosé Champagne, is it just me or does anybody else like saying that. Rosé has been making…
Pinot Noir Ratafia Champenois
Firstly, what exactly is Ratafia Champenois? Ratafia is a liqueur and usually around 18% alcohol content. It will be made of the must and liqueur of the Champagne region. It requires 10 months ageing which can be either via tank or oak barrels. It can be made from a combination of Champagne grapes and from…
What is Extra Brut?
On most sparkling wine bottle front labels you will see a description such as Extra Brut or Brut, maybe you’ll see Demi-Sec or Extra-Dry. For many, and sometimes confusing even the wine professionals themselves, these terms are to signify the amount of sugar the sparkling wine will contain. Why the confusion? Now dry doesn’t mean…