Sweet Champagne

There are common misconceptions about opening a bottle of Champagne. Opening a bottle of champagne often goes hand in hand with a celebration and it is tempting to let the cork fly and shower a bit of bubbly.

Reading wine labels can be a challenge. There are different styles and legal requirements that apply to both the producer and importer. They vary from country to country, state to state, and even appellation to appellation. There are also variations between producers.

A vintage chart provides a year by year analysis of the Champagne Region's grape harvest. When deciding on the vintage of a brand the vintage chart can give clues to the best years. The decision to declare a vintage rests with each individual producer depending upon their particular grapes.

Champagne and sparkling wine grapes are primarily chardonnay, pinot noir, and meunier. Each variety plays a different role and is used for a different effect. A blanc de blancs (100% chardonnay) will taste different than a blanc de noirs (100% pinot noir and/or meunier) which will taste different from a white blend champagne (which may contain pinot noir, meunier and chardonnay).