Champagne lexicon & Glossary

The forgotten grape varieties of Champagne. Many people are unaware that seven grape varieties are authorised in Champagne and for the production of Champagne. These are two black grape varieties and five white grape varieties. For decades now, only the three grape varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and [...]

Shelf life and storage of Champagne Champagne, the finest product of the French Champagne region, is not only known for its fine bubbles and complex flavours, but also for its special shelf life and storage properties. Proper storage is crucial to preserving the quality of Champagne and bringing out its flavours. In this text we will [...]

For perfect enjoyment, you need the right Champagne glasses. A significant part of the enjoyment of champagne is determined by the flavours, the bouquet. Champagne glasses must fulfil certain criteria so that a bouquet can not only develop ideally, but also last. A sensible champagne glass is colourless, clear, thin-walled, slightly bulbous and tapering towards the top, [...]

Bottle pressure is a key element in the production and quality of Champagne This pressure, created by the carbon dioxide in Champagne, is crucial to the sparkle and flavour of the final product. Here is a detailed look at this topic: The origin of bottle pressure Champagne gets its characteristic pressure from the second fermentation that takes place in the bottle [...].

Extra Brut Champagne: An in-depth look Champagne is synonymous with luxury and festive moments. However, it is not only its bubbles and dazzling sparkle that make it special, but also the different flavours and degrees of sweetness that characterise it. One of the most fascinating varieties is Extra Brut Champagne. In this detailed overview, we take a look at the characteristics [...]

The CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne) is the central organisation that regulates and promotes the Champagne industry Founded in 1941, the CIVC plays a crucial role in preserving and developing the quality of Champagne and in ensuring compliance with the legal regulations and standards that govern the production and marketing of the noble sparkling wine [...].

Chlorosis in relation to Champagne Chlorosis is a common plant disease caused by a lack of chlorophyll in the leaves. In grapevines, particularly in Champagne, chlorosis can have a significant impact on grape production and therefore on the quality of Champagne. To develop a comprehensive understanding of this disease, it is important to analyse both the [...]

Chaufferette ovens and their importance in vineyards, particularly in relation to Champagne, are a fascinating topic in the world of wine production. Chaufferettes ovens, or better known as "chauffeurettes", are special heating systems used in viticulture to protect the vines in the vineyards from frost damage. Background and how they work In the Champagne region, where Champagne [...]

A champagne house produces champagne under its own label. The correct French term for Champagne house is (NM) Négociant Manipulant. Champagne houses are legally permitted to buy in grapes for their production. This happens to a considerable extent. Whilst approx. 2/3 of the total turnover of Champagne comes from the Champagne houses, they only own approx. 10% of the vineyards. Champagne houses must therefore purchase each [...]

Champagne flavour. A Brut Non Dosage Champagne is a very dry Champagne A Brut Non Dosage Champagne is produced without dosage, residual sugar content 0gr/L.. Brut Non Dosage: An in-depth look Champagne, the luxurious drink from the Champagne region in France, is appreciated for its finesse and complexity. A special category within champagne is the [...]

Blanc de Noirs (BdN) Champagne: A detailed look Blanc de Noirs, often abbreviated as BdN, is a term from the world of champagne that refers to a special type of champagne made exclusively from red grapes. The term "Blanc de Noirs" comes from the French and literally means "white from black". Although [...]

Arbane: the rare grape variety of Champagne Introduction Arbane (Arbane B) is a remarkable white wine grape variety that plays a fascinating, albeit historic, role in the world of Champagne. Originally from southern Champagne, this grape variety has lost much of its importance over the years. Today, Arbane is almost exclusively of historical relevance, but it has [...]

Dégorgement à la Glace: A comprehensive overview "Dégorgement à la Glace" is an important technique in Champagne production that contributes significantly to the quality and purity of the end product. This method, which means "ice dégorgement" in German, plays a central role in the process of producing high-quality champagne. It is used to remove the yeast that forms during [...]

Champagnes are only ever fitted with the best natural corks. Cork generally comes from Spain, Portugal and the western Mediterranean region. According to botanists, cork is the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber), which is up to 350 years old. The oaks are first peeled after around 25 years. However, this cork is not suitable for [...]

"Vieilles Vignes" is a term used in the world of Champagne to refer to the use of particularly old vines. These old vines, often 30 years old or more, make a significant contribution to the quality and complexity of Champagne. Their importance and impact on Champagne can be considered in a number of ways, ranging from the [...]

Vendange, the harvesting of the grapes. Harvest workers are known as vendangeurs Vendange in the context of champagne The vendange, or grape harvest, is a crucial moment in champagne production. This phase marks the high point of the year for Champagne producers as it lays the foundation for the quality of the final product. The timing and type of harvest [...]

A sweet sparkling wine called Asti Spumante comes from Italy. It is named after the town of Asti in the wine-growing region of Piedmont, 'spumante' means 'sparkling'. It is a simple sparkling wine that only undergoes a single fermentation in the tank. The ripened grapes are pressed, the must is then filtered and then stored in large refrigerated [...]

Charles Marguetel de Saint Denis, Seigneur de Saint-Evremond (1610 - 1703) Although rarely mentioned today, he is considered by some winegrowers in Champagne and also by some connoisseurs worldwide to be one of the most historically important figures in the success of Champagne. Saint-Evremond was a well-known author, philosopher and satirist (including [...]

Placomusophilia, the love of collecting and preserving champagne capsules, is a fascinating hobby that has become increasingly popular in recent years. These capsules, often referred to as "muselet", are the small wire baskets that hold the cork on the bottle of champagne and often feature unique and ornate designs. The passion for placomusophilia [...]

Among the Pinot grape varieties, Pinot Noir is undisputedly the most sublime. Many fantastic champagnes as well as the famous Burgundies are closely linked to this grape variety, then as now. The original home of this grape variety is probably Burgundy. In German-speaking countries, this grape variety is known as Spätburgunder, blauer Burgunder, Morillon Noir and Blauburgunder. The Pinot Noir makes [...]