Kinds of Champagne
Champagne is the most famous type of sparkling wine in the world, and is a celebratory drink associated with luxury and the good life. In Europe, only wines from the Champagne region of northeast France are permitted to bear the Champagne appellation. Champagne must also be made from specific grapes. There are three types of champagne, and two classifications. Does this Spark an idea?
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Blancs de Blancs
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The name "blancs de blancs" means "white from white." Champagnes in this category are made only from the white chardonnay grape. Champagnes in this category are widely drunk as an aperitif, or served with seafood because of the light, dry flavor. Taittinger's Comte de Champagne is an example of this type of champagne, as are champagnes by Ruinart and Krug, also known as "crus." Cru is the name given to a winery exclusively producing champagne. Taittinger and Ruinart have worked on creating luxury blancs de blancs, whereas some of the other champagne houses refuse to make it. Krug's Close de Mesnil is one of the most expensive blancs de blancs. As of 2011, the 1989 vintage costs around $210 a bottle.
Blancs de Noir
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Champagnes in this category are made from black grapes: "white from black." The grape types must be pinot noir or pinot meunier. Champagnes made with these grapes tend to be fuller-bodied and yellowish in color. They are typically served with stronger flavored foods, such as meat and cheese. Bollinger is one of the main producers of blancs de noir, with its Blancs de Noir Vielles Vignes Francaises, 1985 vintage. Krug also has a blancs de noir.
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Rose
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A champagne for summer, pink or rose champagne's color gives it a romantic appearance. Pink champagne is made by combining white and black grapes. Some champagne houses simply add a touch of pinot noir red wine to the blancs de blancs champagne to create a rose. The color depends on the way the maker adds the color, and the depth of pink ranges from a pale salmon to a deep, rose shade. Laurent Perrier makes a Cuvee Rose Brut, which according to Champagne.org is one of the best selling in the world.
Vintage or Nonvintage
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The majority of champagne sold is nonvintage as it is less expensive than champagnes from a specific year. Nonvintage champagnes are made of champagnes from a combination of different vintages. According to Gayot, every champagne maker sets aside 20 percent of the annual harvest for use in nonvintage champagne. The concept of vintage champagne is a much more recent one than nonvintage, which is the original, or "classic" champagne. A vintage only uses grapes from a single year and it must be aged for three years before it is sold as vintage.
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