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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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92

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93

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90

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Price
€35.75
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €47.67
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Louis Roederer Collection 246

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

A very seductive modern classic
Louis Roederer Collection 246
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93

Suckling

Price
€54.40
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €72.53
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VeuveBox Clicquot Sun Holder

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

Veuve Clicquot redefines the art of the luxury picnic
VeuveBox Clicquot Sun...
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Price
€62.15
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €82.87
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Leclerc Briant Réserve Extra Brut

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

Respected history, renewed vision
Leclerc Briant Réserve...
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90

Parker

Price
€46.95
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €62.60
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Bollinger Brut Special Cuvée

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

The Bollinger house label
Bollinger Brut Special Cuvée
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92

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91

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93

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95

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Price
€57.10
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €76.13
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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

Parker

Price
€45.75
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €61.00
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André Clouet Grande Réserve Magnum

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

A creamy, elegant and very persistent champagne
André Clouet Grande Réserve...
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91

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92

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93

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90

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Price
€77.70
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €51.80
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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
€64.75
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Price per litre: €86.33
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Pol Roger Brut Vintage 2018

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

A champagne from primus crus and grand crus grapes made in exceptional years
Pol Roger Brut Vintage 2018
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93+

Parker

93

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93

Decanter

Price
€75.10
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €100.13
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Pol Cochet Brut Rosé

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

The refined elegance of pinot noir in meticulous detail
Pol Cochet Brut Rosé
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Price
€36.85
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €49.13

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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Louis Nouvelot Perle Rosé Brut

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

A gem of Champagne
Louis Nouvelot Perle Rosé Brut
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Price
€27.30
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €36.40
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Pol Cochet Brut Grande Reserva

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

The quintessential embodiment of the Cochet style
Pol Cochet Brut Grande Reserva
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Price
€29.80
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €39.73

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Premier Cru Brut Rosé

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

One of France’s best sparkling wines to get your taste buds going
Nicolas Maillart Champagne...
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92

Parker

93

Decántalo

Price
€53.40
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Price per litre: €71.20

Jean Lallement Brut Rose

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

Rare and powerful Lallemnet
Jean Lallement Brut Rose
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92

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Price
€49.50
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €66.00

Bérêche & Fils Brut Reserve

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

Meaty and elegant seduction
Bérêche & Fils Brut Reserve
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92

Parker

93

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92

Suckling

Price
€62.95
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €83.93
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Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

The quintessential Charles Heidsieck style
Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve
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92+

Parker

92

Decántalo

92

Suckling

Price
€50.50
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €67.33
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Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut 37,5 cl.

France AOC Champagne (Champagne)

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

Parker

90

Suckling

91

Decanter

Price
€28.10
Incl. VAT
Price per litre: €74.93
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