France

Champagne

Northeastern France, east of Paris, around the towns of Épernay and Reims.

The coolest major wine region in France; its marginal climate is the reason Champagne is sparkling - grapes rarely ripen enough to make still wine.

Champagne is a triumph of winemaking over nature: a region too cold for good still wine that accidentally, and then brilliantly, discovered the bubble. The méthode traditionnelle, with its second fermentation in bottle, produces wines of unique finesse and celebratory magic.

The region grows three grapes - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier - and blends them, usually across vintages, to create a consistent house style. Vintage Champagnes from the best years are the pinnacle.

Understanding Champagne's world means knowing the great houses (Moët, Veuve Clicquot, Krug, Bollinger, Dom Pérignon) and the smaller growers whose single-vineyard wines are today's connoisseur's playground.

Terroir & Soil

The famous chalk soils of the region absorb water and warmth, giving the sharp, mineral, age-worthy character of great Champagnes.

What to Expect from the Wines

  • · Champagne is the world's benchmark sparkling wine, made by the traditional method with a secondary fermentation in bottle.
  • · Styles range from dry Brut to sweet Demi-Sec; Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) and Blanc de Noirs (black grapes) are the classic single-variety forms.
  • · Autolysis - yeast ageing in bottle - gives the signature brioche, toast and biscuit character of fine vintage Champagne.

Remarkable Bottles from Champagne

All wines →
sparkling

Dom Pérignon

Champagne · 2024 (representative vintage)

Dom Pérignon is an sparkling wine from France, in the Champagne region (Northeastern France, east of Paris, around the towns of Épernay and Reims.), made principally from Chardonnay. The prestige cuvée of Moët & Chandon and one of the world's most famous Champagnes.

$220–$450 est. retail

sparkling

Bollinger Special Cuvée

Champagne · 2024 (representative vintage)

Bollinger Special Cuvée is an sparkling wine from France, in the Champagne region (Northeastern France, east of Paris, around the towns of Épernay and Reims.), made principally from Pinot Noir. Bollinger's classic Pinot-led non-vintage Brut — a byword for hearty, structured Champagne.

$70–$110 est. retail

sparkling

Krug Grande Cuvée

Champagne · 2024 (representative vintage)

Krug Grande Cuvée is an sparkling wine from France, in the Champagne region (Northeastern France, east of Paris, around the towns of Épernay and Reims.), made principally from Pinot Noir. The most revered multi-vintage Champagne — a blend of over 120 wines from up to 10 vintages.

$200–$350 est. retail

sparkling

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label

Champagne · 2024 (representative vintage)

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is an sparkling wine from France, in the Champagne region (Northeastern France, east of Paris, around the towns of Épernay and Reims.), made principally from Pinot Noir. A globally loved non-vintage Brut and one of the world's top-selling Champagnes.

$45–$70 est. retail

sparkling

Moët & Chandon Impérial

Champagne · 2024 (representative vintage)

Moët & Chandon Impérial is an sparkling wine from France, in the Champagne region (Northeastern France, east of Paris, around the towns of Épernay and Reims.), made principally from Pinot Noir. The world's most recognised Champagne label and the brand behind Dom Pérignon.

$45–$60 est. retail

sparkling

Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée

Champagne · 2024 (representative vintage)

Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée is an sparkling wine from France, in the Champagne region (Northeastern France, east of Paris, around the towns of Épernay and Reims.), made principally from Chardonnay. A refined Brut celebrated for its balance of Chardonnay freshness and Pinot structure.

$55–$80 est. retail

Food Pairing

  • · The classic match is oysters - the sharp acidity and bubbles cut through the brine perfectly.
  • · Blanc de Blancs pairs with shellfish, sushi and fried food; richer vintage Brut suits lobster and roast poultry.
  • · Rosé Champagne is superb with smoked salmon and charcuterie.

Buying from Champagne

  • › Non-vintage Brut is the everyday benchmark - look for well-regarded houses; Vintage Champagne matters in great years.
  • › Grower Champagnes offer exceptional terroir-driven value versus the big houses.
  • › Sweetness terms matter: Brut Nature (bone dry) through Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demi-Sec to Doux.