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French sparkling wine.

Enjoy the great sparkling wines from France.

Sparkling wines and France have been two very closely associated words throughout history. It was the French who invented it and it is French sparkling wines that are the most famous across the world. However, not all French sparkling wine comes from the same denomination.

Champagne, the most famous of them all

So well known that when someone mentions French sparkling wine, we immediately think champagne. The name carries such weight that it has sometimes even been used for other types of sparkling wines. However, the term champagne is exclusively reserved for wines made in the Champagne area, the only wine region in the world where only sparkling wines are made. There they vinify using the champenoise or traditional method. The grapes that are most commonly used in production are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Champagne is considered the highest quality sparkling wine and it is a benchmark for all sparkling wine producers in France and around the world.

Looking at the list of Champagne houses, you will find a list of names that make you think of luxury and perfection. Some of the most famous are Louis Roederer, Möet Chandon, Pol Roger, Bollinger, Laurent Perrier, Ruinart...

Other sparkling wines from France

Not all high-quality sparkling wines are made in Champagne. There are many others that have been produced with this same method and that come from other protected regions (AOC Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée). These other sparkling wines are called Crémants. They tend to be cheaper than Champagne and their aging potential is also generally lower.

There are a total of six AOC Crémant. The top production region, accounting for almost half of all production, is the AOC Crémant d'Alsace. The most commonly used grapes here are Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Auxerrois and Chardonnay. Then there is Crémant de Bourgogne, a smaller region, where most of the sparkling wine comes from Côte Chalonnaise and is made mostly using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Then we have the Crémant de Loire made with Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. Finally, and produced in smaller amounts, is the Crémant de Limoux, du Jura, Bordeaux, de Die and de Savoie.

There are some great Crémant makers like Kreydenweiss in Alsace, Beaufort Frères in Burgundy, and Domaine de la Taille aux Loups in the Loire Valley.

French sparkling wines can also be classified by production method, by sugar content and by the level of pressure from the carbon dioxide in the wine.

Classifications

The Traditional or Champenoise Method: for this method, the wine is first vinified in tanks and then undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle. This second fermentation and the time the wine spends aging on lees and stacked make these wines creamier and give them a well integrated bubble. Finally it is disgorged, the sediment is removed, and then expedition liqueur (mixture of wine and sugar) can be added, or not, and this will make it more or less sweet. The make up of the expedition liqueur is usually a closely guarded secret that gives the wines from each producer a unique touch. All champagne and Crémants are made in this way. It is considered the highest quality method. The Charmat or Granvas Method: for this method, the second fermentation takes place in closed tanks. It is not as delicate as the Champenoise method but it is cheaper.

The Ancient Method: this was the first method ever used to make sparkling wines. It involves bottling the must before it finishes alcoholic fermentation, allowing the process to finish in the bottle. Many producers, especially those dedicated to producing natural wines, are now reviving this method. These wines are usually made unfiltered, so they contain sediments and must be served carefully to keep them out of the glass.

Classification by amount of sugar added in the expedition liqueur:

-Brut nature: no expedition liqueur added.

-Extra-brut: contains up to 6 gr of sugar / litre.

-Brut: contains up to 15 gr of sugar / litre.

-Extra-sec: contains 12 gr to 20 gr of sugar / litre.

-Sec: contains 17 g to 35 gr of sugar / litre.

-Demi-sec: contains 33 gr to 50 gr of sugar / litre.

-Doux: contains more than 50 gr of sugar / litre.

By level of pressure from the carbon dioxide in the wine:

-Vin perlant: this is a very lightly sparkling wine. It contains more than one gram of carbon dioxide gas per litre of wine.

-Vin pétillant: the pressure of the CO2 in these wines is between 1 and 2.5 bars. This pressure is obtained by using the Ancient Method. This category also includes some cremants.

-Vin mousseux: sparkling wine. The pressure of the dissolved carbon dioxide gas is greater than 3 bars. This group of French sparkling wines is home to the most prestigious and high-quality wines: Champagne and Cremant.

As you can see, there is a wide range of French sparkling wines that are classified by production method or where they come from, from the glamorous champagne, through to the sharp crémant from Alsace to the curious ancient wines from small producers. Did you already know all about them? Which would you choose?

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André Clouet Grande Réserve

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

A creamy, elegant and very persistent champagne
André Clouet Grande Réserve
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€36.75
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Price per litre: €49.00
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Marguet Shaman Rosé Grand Cru

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

An elegant and fresh rosé Gran Cru
Marguet Shaman Rosé Grand Cru
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Price
€61.55
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Price per litre: €82.07
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Ruinart Brut

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

An iconic champagne
Ruinart Brut
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93

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€59.90
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Price per litre: €79.87
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Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

The most famous champagne in the world
Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut
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88

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91

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€44.10
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Price per litre: €58.80
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Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut Rosé

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

Romantic and seductive elegance
Box 1 bottle Moët & Chandon...
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86

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89

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€58.10
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Price per litre: €77.47
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Bérêche & Fils Brut Reserve

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

Meaty and elegant seduction
Bérêche & Fils Brut Reserve
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92

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93

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92

Suckling

Price
€62.95
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Price per litre: €83.93
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Louis Nouvelot Perle Rosé Brut

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

A gem of Champagne
Louis Nouvelot Perle Rosé Brut
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€27.30
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Price per litre: €36.40
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Pierre Gerbais Grains de Celles Extra Brut

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

The art of a thrilling sparkling wine
Pierre Gerbais Grains de...
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93

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91

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€43.95
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Price per litre: €58.60
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Trénel Crémant de Bourgogne

France AOC Crémant d'Bougogne (Burgundy)

A sparkling wine with all the expressiveness of a Burgundy Chardonnay
Trénel Crémant de Bourgogne
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90

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90

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Price
€20.40
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Price per litre: €27.20
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Huré Frères Invitation

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

Delicate Premier Cru at a very affordable price
Huré Frères Invitation
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89

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€45.75
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Price per litre: €61.00
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Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

True to the Champagne spirit
Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow...
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87

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90

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91

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Price
€52.25
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Price per litre: €69.67
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Champagne Lanson Le Green Label

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

Champagne Lanson Le Green...
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91

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94

Suckling

€60.80
-15%
Price
€51.65
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €68.87
  • -15.05%
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Louis Nouvelot Saphir Brut

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

Elegance, purity, and a distinctive radiance
Louis Nouvelot Saphir Brut
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€26.25
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Price per litre: €35.00
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Leclerc Briant Réserve Extra Brut

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

Respected history, renewed vision
Leclerc Briant Réserve...
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€46.95
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Price per litre: €62.60
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Taittinger Vintage 2016

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

An exceptional vintage crafted to perfection!
Taittinger Vintage 2016
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Price
€78.10
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Price per litre: €104.13
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Lanson Le Black Création

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

A flagship of Maison Lanson
Lanson Le Black Création
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90

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92

Suckling

92

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Price
€47.50
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €63.33
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