The different types of champagnes: brut, extra-brut, demi-sec, doux...
With a highly diversified range of champagnes, it can sometimes be challenging to navigate. Brut nature, brut, extra brut, sec, demi-sec, it's not always easy to understand the different types of champagnes. To help you distinguish them, especially within our De Lozey champagne range, we offer this guide on the various types of champagne.
Table of Contents:
- Champagne: What Defines Champagne
- Champagne Zero Dosage or Brut Nature
- Extra Brut Champagne
- Brut Champagne
- Extra Dry Champagne
- Dry Champagne
- Demi-Sec Champagne
- Sweet Champagne
- Rosé Champagne
Champagne: What Defines Champagne
Champagne is crafted from one or a blend of several grape varieties. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier are the main grape varieties that play a significant role in champagne production. These grapes are blended in various ways, but it's during the dosage stage that the champagne gets its distinctive character.
The dosage step involves adding a dosage liqueur or expedition liqueur to the just-disgorged bottle. This liqueur consists of yeast and sugar. It's the amount of sugar that determines whether you'll have a demi-sec, brut, or sweet champagne, among others. In general, there are seven types of champagne:
- Zero Dosage or Brut Nature: No sugar is added, and there are less than 3 grams of residual sugar per liter.
- Extra Brut: The dosage ranges from 0 to 6 grams of sugar per liter.
- Brut: Brut champagne contains less than 12 grams of sugar per liter.
- Extra Dry: This champagne contains between 12 and 17 grams of sugar.
- Dry: Contains between 17 and 32 grams of sugar per liter.
- Demi-Sec: This champagne contains between 32 and 50 grams of sugar per liter.
- Sweet: Sweet champagne contains over 50 grams of sugar per liter.
In addition to these traditional champagnes, there's also rosé champagne, which is part of the various types of champagnes.
Adding to the complexity are the grape varieties, as discussed in our article "The Secret of De Lozey House Grape Varieties." The precise blending of these grapes also contributes to making champagnes more or less sweet.
Champagne Zero Dosage (Brut Nature)
Champagne Zero Dosage, also known as Brut Nature champagne, is champagne without added sugar. It contains between 0 and 3 g/l of sugar. Brut Nature champagne is essentially sugar-free and is naturally dry due to the absence of added sugar.
Brut Nature champagne has a very distinct taste. Its unique flavor is unmasked and unsoftened by added sugar. As a result, enthusiasts either love it or don't. It is typically made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with the percentage of each grape variety varying from one house to another.
For many years, De Lozey champagnes have offered enthusiasts a light and fruity Brut Nature champagne, known as Cuvée du Dimanche, made from a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. This cuvée holds a special place in our history. To create this blend, we selected wines from specific parcels: Lemblée, Les Chopinottes, Le Val Champignat. We invite you to share our memories with a focus on Cuvée du Dimanche, our Brut Nature champagne.
If Brut Nature champagne, the Cuvée du Dimanche, was once a personal cuvée, it is now gaining popularity. Zero dosage champagne pairs perfectly with seafood such as oysters, sea urchins, caviar, as well as sushi.
Discover Our Cuvée du Dimanche
A very personal champagne, reminiscent of Sunday meals. An assembly of all parcels and grape varieties, with the elegance and fine bubbles that characterize De Lozey House.
Extra Brut Champagne
Extra Brut champagne is a very dry champagne. Its sugar content ranges from 0 to 6 grams per liter. In terms of taste, it may have a slightly bitter note and can even be perceived as a sharper champagne compared to a demi-sec champagne or a "sweet brut champagne," as our friends across the Channel might say. It also appears more refreshing.
For a long time, De Lozey House has offered 3 Extra Brut champagnes, each with its own specific characteristics:
- Cuvée des Gentlemen: Crafted from a blend of our finest wines from all grape varieties, it contains 4 grams of sugar per liter. This is a prestige champagne that strikes a balance between refined maturity and youthful dynamism. It exudes notes of nougat, acacia, and dried apricot. This Extra Brut champagne has a distinct personality.
- Blanc de Noirs Champagne: Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this champagne is designed for gastronomy. A powerful champagne, it offers a generous flavor profile with enchanting floral notes, intense minerality, and a dry, non-acidic taste. It pairs exceptionally well with raw or smoked meats and hard cheeses. If you want to surprise your guests, we recommend trying a recipe for scallop carpaccio with mango, lime, and soy sauce served with our Extra Brut instead of white wine.
- Our 2008 Vintage: This vintage, made from 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, contains 4 grams of sugar per liter. It's an elegant and complex champagne known for its minerality. It releases notes of acacia honey and candied lemon zest.
Discover Our Extra Brut
Designed for gastronomy, this original and sophisticated cuvée surprises with its power and delicacy. Incredibly refreshing, this Extra Brut champagne reveals generous flavors.
Brut Champagne
Brut champagne contains between 6 and 12 grams of sugar per liter. While its sugar content is slightly higher than the previous types, it still falls among the less sweet champagnes.
Brut champagne is one of the most consumed champagnes. It's suitable for all occasions and can be enjoyed both with meals and as an aperitif. What characterizes Brut champagne is its sugar level, but there can be variations in sugar content depending on the added dosage liqueur.
For De Lozey House, we produce three types of Brut champagne:
- Brut Tradition Champagne: This is the signature champagne of De Lozey House. It's fruity, lively, and refreshing. With only 8 grams of sugar per liter, it's a champagne that ages for a long time to fully express its personality. We combine our reserve wine, aged for 15 years, with younger Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to achieve complexity and eloquence.
- Blanc de Blancs Champagne: Made from 100% Chardonnay, our Blanc de Blancs champagne appeals to connoisseurs. It offers great smoothness and length on the palate. With notes of lemon and candied oranges, it pairs well with fish and white meats.
- Blanc de Blancs Champagne Aged in Wood: This champagne, made from our classic Chardonnay, offers a unique and rich champagne experience. It features a slightly pink hue, an opulent and expressive nose, and good complexity on the palate. This cuvée ages for 10 years in wooden barrels. We invite you to discover this unique wine with our article "Blanc de Blancs Aged in Wood: A Prestigious Cuvée from De Lozey Estate." Our traditional methods may remind you of vintage rosé.
Discover Our Brut Tradition
Delightfully fruity, energetic, refreshing, and easy to enjoy, it's the essential champagne, a sure bet. No classic champagne will tantalize your taste buds like this.
Extra Dry Champagne
Extra Dry champagne contains between 12 and 17 grams of sugar per liter. Being slightly sweeter, this champagne ages longer and pairs perfectly with sweet dishes and desserts.
Extra Dry champagne pairs very well with desserts that aren't overly sweet, creating a harmonious balance of sweetness in your palate.
Dry Champagne
Dry champagne contains between 17 grams and 32 grams of sugar per liter. Each house crafts its own dry champagnes.
For De Lozey House, dry champagne comes in two versions. We offer the 2002 vintage and the 2006 vintage to cater to those who prefer sweeter champagnes.
The 2002 vintage is a generous champagne with opulent aromas. It's a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay. The dry and hot 2002 season led to early ripening, resulting in more concentrated and sweeter grapes. The nose is prominent with floral notes, and it exudes aromas of acacia honey, mirabelle plum, marmalade, yellow fruits, and candied fruit. De Lozey's 2002 vintage pairs wonderfully with poultry.
The 2006 vintage is a dynamic and lively champagne with classic flavors. It releases notes of honey and dried fruits, accentuated by citrus notes. Like the 2002 vintage, it's a blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir. In tasting, it reveals a pale golden robe with generous bubbles that persist with a beautiful mousse. If you'd like to continue exploring this champagne, consider our blog article on the 2006 vintage. The product sheet, on the other hand, will tempt you to try this champagne without a doubt.
If you're a fan of vintages, don't miss the presentation of our prestigious range of vintage champagnes.
Demi-Sec Champagne
Demi-Sec champagne has a sugar content ranging from 32 to 50 grams per liter. Demi-Sec champagne is very popular among the English, who enjoy "brut champagne sweet." In fact, their preference lies between demi-sec and brut.
These two types are very different from each other. Brut champagne is typically consumed as an aperitif and during the meal, while demi-sec champagne is often enjoyed as a dessert wine. It would be a mistake to consume it as an aperitif, as its high sugar content could overwhelm the meal. However, the question arises when it comes to cocktails. Some cocktails are made with brut champagnes to which sugar is added. So why not try demi-sec champagne directly? Otherwise, you'll find several bottles in our champagne range to prepare delicious cocktails. If you're lacking inspiration, here are some ideas for the best recipes made with De Lozey champagne.
Sweet Champagne
Sweet champagne is undoubtedly the sweetest champagne. It contains over 50 grams of sugar per liter. Sweet champagne is highly appreciated for accompanying desserts due to its high sugar content. For example, it pairs well with apple pie or fresh fruit tart. As a dessert wine, it can be quite enjoyable. However, dietary trends have led people to avoid overly sweet wines. Some sweet champagnes may exhibit honeyed notes.
In addition to fruit desserts, some enthusiasts will enjoy it with cheeses. Notably, it can be paired with Gruyère or Mimolette.
Rosé Champagne
Rosé champagne is a very special champagne. In addition to its color, its production is quite unique. It is either a blend of rosé champagne or a rosé champagne made by bleeding. For the latter, bleeding is a very specific method that involves keeping the Pinot Noir grape skins in contact with the must for a few days to absorb tannins and color the juice.
For De Lozey champagnes, rosé champagne is very special. It is a prestige cuvée with Rosé de Saignée champagne, made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes. This champagne, with 10 grams of sugar per liter, is crafted with great care and patience. We invite you to explore our article on Rosé de Saignée champagne, a remarkable champagne from De Lozey House.
This rosé champagne is bold, with flavors bursting with fruit and delicate notes. It releases cherry and strawberry aromas enhanced by red currants.
Discover Our Rosé de Saignée
Sensual, our rosé surprises with its color and dazzles with its intense taste. Its assertive character will delight connoisseurs and astonish newcomers.
There you have it, you now know all about the different types of champagne. Now that you're familiar with the main characteristics of each, it's time to pair them well. We suggest consulting an article on which champagne to pair with which cheese. How to pair them effectively?