Champagne is the greatest sparkling wine in the world. In this video from my recent trip to the Champagne region I talk on how this wine is made, about the geography and climate of the region, different grapes that are used for the production of Champagne, as well as its different styles and types such as vintage Champagne vs non-vintage, Cuvee Prestige, from brut nature to demi-sec. I also describe how different types of Champagne taste like and recommend notable producers, both from large houses and grower Champagnes.
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**CONTENTS OF THIS VIDEO:
0:00 Introduction
0:50 Geography & Climate
1:53 Grapes of Champagne
3:03 Vintage vs Non-Vintage
4:23 Cuvee Prestige
5:18 Styles
6:19 How Champagne Tastes Like
7:35 Notable Producers
Don’t miss my other videos on sparkling wines:
What’s So Special about TAITTINGER: https://youtu.be/YBtpd2CpOxw
What’s So Special About SASSICAIA: https://youtu.be/3EvsxlvrygY
What’s So Special About KRUG Champagne? (Opening KRUG Grande Cuvee): https://youtu.be/bXG5CnkD7Pg
What’s So Special About DOM PERIGNON? (Opening 2008 Vintage): https://youtu.be/6cMVE3H98iI
Everything You Need To Know About PROSECCO: https://youtu.be/TlHDyHeC-qQ
CHAMPAGNE Bottle Sizes: WHY SIZE MATTERS: https://youtu.be/KOWw7K02sTc
5 Great Alternatives to CHAMPAGNE (Sparkling Wines You Must Try): https://youtu.be/7NZT0NG2sR4
And here are useful videos on opening a bottle of bubbly:
How to open a bottle of Champagne with a sabre (sabrage): https://youtu.be/U-F_h3JCRzg
How to Open Champagne Bottle: https://youtu.be/dE_jQOWLE_0
A CRAZY Way to Open CHAMPAGNE (with PORT TONGS): https://youtu.be/OiB8J_XOdT8
#champagne #sparklingwine #wineeducation
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27 Comments
Thanks for taking us along to the region!
In your method video, I’d love to learn more about “on the lees” and “bottle fermentation”. I hear about them all the time, but don’t really get it.
Great video, thanks Agnes! When I started drinking Champagne it was the Sec and Demi-Sec style, but recently I have pulled back into the Medium Dry style. I have also tried Prosecco and Asti-Spumante (sparkling wines).
Hi Agnes, Nice video to introduce the Champagne area and production. Amongst the grapes, you forgot a last one: Arbanne. Like Pinot gris, blanc and petit Meslier, the production is very small but gives amazing wines. I invite you to check out Domaine Alexandre Bonnet La géande 7 Cépage Brut Nature from Les Riceys in the Côte des Bar (even if it is not your style, but you won't regret it). Best!
I meet the marketing guy from Champagne Jeeper at my Italian market a few months ago and it was awesome. The house ages the Chardonnay in oak and they use low sulfur in the wines. The wine was really great and have a Chablis like character to the wine. Very steely with almonds and green apple.
Nicely done. I do like your style. I’ll look for the producers you mention! I get asked a lot if I could only ever have one wine for the rest of my life, I always say Champagne! 🥂🥂🥂
Important to say that remuage and degorgement must be done very carefully. Remember, no sediment!
What are your top 5 fav grand marque Champagne?
Love it Agnese!! Another brilliant video.
Agnese, I am curious about the rules for tastings at cellar doors in different countries.
I have only done tastings in Australia and New Zealand, where cellar doors have opening hrs (eg 10-5) and you can simply arrive (usually without an appointment) and taste the wine (free in you purchase a bottle).
Is it the same around the world ?
Or what are the differences in your experience?
Visiting champagne is in my bucket list
Nice video
Another well made video Agnese. I think this is a great video that introduces Champagne to wine drinkers. I was particularly impressed that you highlighted grower Champagne or RM Champagne, as they sometimes can show more terroir than the Grand Marquees or Maisons, which usually adhere to a house style. I should drink more of it, but I mainly enjoy Cava Reserva, Cremants, and MCC from South Africa. Trentodoc sparkling and Winzersekt Traditionelle Flaschengarung (German) are also great but Germany doesn't export much of their sparkling wine. Perhaps you could do another video showing traditional method sparkling wines from other countries in the future? To answer Paul Whitehead's question about wine tastings at wineries, in Europe you generally need to call and make an appointment in advance. From what I've read the same applies for North America as well, not sure about other places and countries.
Hi there! I just wanted to ask your opinion on Diebolt-Vallois, they seem to have skyrocketed in demand and wondered if you had tried them personally.
It's also interesting that the cooperative Union de Champagne is producing their own wines and prestige cuve (Orpale). But since they have such massive land holdings at their disposal they can basically pick the best of the best of the best for their prestige
Next month I am going to Epernay and around. This video really helps before the tastings. Thanks 🙂
How could you not mention Veuve Clicqout, without whom most of the world would never have heard of champagne!
You should do a video on grower producers. Evan though I’m a bit of a Champagne nerd, I like to here your take on things. Love your videos
please tell me. how to become like you ?
Hah! You helped me again. I've been perusing champagne for hours and my god, it's a jungle. I haven't pulled the trigger on a single bottle. But in this video you alerted me to the pinot vs chardonnay differentiation as well as providing a few staples, and voila! I got my bearings and found something to go for.
i wonder if this appellation is just a marketing strategy? i mean the same exact wine produced 1 cm away from the champagne region cant be called champagne. totally marketing , in my opinion.
Great video , Love the T shirt
Excellent video, great info, photography and music. 👏
You know, most of your viewers know what grapes go into Champagne.
Thanks for sharing this insightful information. ❤
Your vedios are so great and lovely, need one clarification pls. Adding the residual sugar means are they adding the fresh wine juice or sugar canne. Please advise. Thank you.
Way nice! Thanks
Try Pommery Brut Royal & you will thank me later 😉
Good job!
The sweetness levels in champagne is at dosage it is not residual sugar which by definition is to stop fermentation at what sweetness level you wish to achieve