CHAMPAGNE (as quoted in “Sommelier Toscana”, N° 6, December 2008, Anno V)

The tastes

• PAS DOSÉ, SANS DOSAGE, DOSAGE ZÉRO, ULTRA BRUT, SANS SUCRE, BRUT SAUVAGE

The terms on the label indicate an extremely dry taste because there are no added sugars.

• EXTRA-BRUT

The taste is like the very dry champagnes because only up to 6 grammes per litre ofsugars are permitted. Imperceptible.

• BRUT

The taste goes from decidedly dry to dry depending on the sugar content, which, in any case, may not be above 15 g/litre

• EXTRA-SEC

The taste is dry, but less so than the brut, in fact the sugar content is between 12 and 20 g/l

• SEC

Middle Dry ith a sugar content of between 15 and 35 g/l

• DEMI-SEC

Sweet, with sugars from 33 to 50 g/l

• DOUX

Sugar content is over 50 g/l. very sweet

The typologies

• SANS ANNÉ

The most frequent typology, a collection of wines from different years with different characteristics. Not a difficult wine. Good price/quality.

• BLANC DE BLANCS

Unlike traditional Champagne which is made by mixing white and red grape wines, the Blanc de Blancs is only made with Cahrdonnay grapes.

• BLANC DE NOIRS

It is a product made from an amalgam of wines obtained from black grapes (Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier). Some of the gratest ever Champagnes are the Blanc de Noirs.

• ROSÉ

This is obtained by adding a percentage of red wine from Pinot Noir grapes to the white wine base, or by using black grapes and setting them so that the skins are touching for a short time. a generally intense Chamapagne, best drunk with structured dishes or cheeses, as well as adding a touch of colour to the table.

• MILLESIMÉ

By “Champagne millesimato”, we mean a wine obtained from a particularly good harvest, where the excellent climatic conditions have meant the perfect maturation of the grape. What distinguishes this Chamapgne from others, is the mix of base wines which must come from the same year’s grape-picking. For this reason, on the cork and the label, the “millesimati” must bear the year of production. No “millesimato” may be marketed before three years from harvesting.