Champagne and Sparkling Wines

What is Champagne?

Champagne is sparkling wine that must be produced in the Champagne region of France and follow the region's rules for grape varieties, production and labelling.

Champagne is typically made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, and it gains its bubbles from a second fermentation in the bottle. Aging and dosage choices shape the final style, so two bottles from the same house can feel very different depending on how long they spent on the lees and how much sugar was added at disgorging.

As we go along, we'll categorize by age. But note that sweetness, style, and sub‑regions can also be used to classify them.

Types of Champagne

Non‑Vintage Champagne

Non‑vintage bottles are blends of wines from multiple years and are designed for consistency and freshness. They are the everyday Champagne for most people, bright and lively with citrus and brioche notes.

Vintage Champagne

Vintage Champagne is made from grapes all harvested in a single year and is only declared when the house feels the harvest merits it. These wines are aged longer and tend to show more depth, richness and aging potential.

Multi‑Vintage Champagne

A newer label trend, multi‑vintage cuvées blend wines from several specific years to create a signature house style that sits between non‑vintage and single-vintage bottlings. Producers are using this approach to offer more complexity while keeping a consistent identity.

Notable Champagne Brands

• Roederer Estate - An American outpost of a historic Champagne house, Roederer Estate makes méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines in California that balance New World fruit with Old World technique; their Brut and reserve cuvées are widely praised for finesse and value.

• Piper Sonoma - Built on classic bottle fermentation methods, Piper Sonoma crafts sparkling wines in Sonoma County with a creamy mousse and bright fruit; their Brut and Rosé are reliable, food‑friendly choices.

• Lionne Royale - A French sparkling label that offers accessible Champagne‑style wines with toasty, brioche notes and crisp acidity; it is a good option for those seeking Champagne character at a modest price point.

• Schramsberg Vineyards - A Napa Valley pioneer in traditional sparkling wine, Schramsberg has a long reputation for quality and has been served at state events; their Blanc de Blancs and Brut are classic American sparkling references.

• Laurent‑Perrier - A major Champagne house known for elegant, refined bottlings and for pioneering low‑dosage styles; their range includes both approachable non‑vintage cuvées and ageworthy vintage releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does aging change Champagne?

Time on the lees adds texture, bread and nut notes, and greater depth. Vintage and extended‑age cuvées show more complexity and can age for many years.

What is the difference between champagne and sparkling water?

Both bottles fizz, but that is where the similarity ends.

Champagne is an alcoholic wine made in a specific region of France using grapes and a second fermentation in the bottle to create bubbles.

Sparkling water is simply water with carbon dioxide added, either naturally from a spring or by forced carbonation.

What is the difference between champagne and sparkling wine?

We already established that Champagne is a type of sparkling wine that must come from the Champagne region of France and follow strict production rules.

Now, we get to talk about sparkling wine. Sparkling wine is the broader category and can come from anywhere in the world. Labels will often show the region or country.