Champagne vs sparkling wine vs Prosecco: what’s the difference?
The difference between Champagne and sparkling wine is simple: all Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Champagne can only come from the Champagne region of France and must be made under strict production rules. Sparkling wine is the broader category that also includes Prosecco, Cava, Crémant, and many other sparkling…
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5 min read
The best champagne to drink for every occasion
There isn’t one “best” Champagne. The best bottle depends on the occasion, the food, your budget, and even who you’re celebrating with. A non-vintage Brut is perfect for everyday moments, while a vintage Champagne or prestige cuvée shines when the occasion calls for something unforgettable. One of the best things about Champagne is that there’s…
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6 min read
Brut, extra brut, or sec? A complete guide to Champagne sweetness levels
One of the biggest misconceptions about Champagne is that every bottle tastes the same. While grape varieties, ageing and the producer’s style all influence the final wine, one small word on the label often tells you more about its taste than almost anything else. Table of contents Champagne sweetness scale at a glance Style Residual…
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1 min read
What is Champagne, really? (And what isn’t)
“Champagne” gets used loosely to mean almost any sparkling wine, but the real definition is much narrower – and it’s protected by law. Knowing the actual rules makes it a lot easier to understand why a bottle costs what it costs. It has to come from Champagne, France Only sparkling wine made in the Champagne…
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1 min read
How to open a Champagne bottle (without losing an eye)
Champagne leaves the winery under roughly 90 pounds of pressure per square inch – about three times what you’ll find in a car tyre. Treat the cork with a little respect and opening a bottle becomes a quiet, controlled moment rather than a party trick gone wrong. Start cold and steady A well-chilled bottle (around…
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2 min read
What Is Grower Champagne? (And Why It’s Worth Seeking Out)
Once you’ve found your feet with the big Champagne houses, there’s a whole other world waiting to be discovered: grower Champagne. It’s one of the most exciting corners of the bubbly universe, and spotting it is easier than you might think. Grower vs house, in plain terms Most famous Champagne comes from large houses that…
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1 min read
What to Eat with Champagne: A Simple Food Pairing Guide
Champagne is far too good to save for the toast. Its high acidity and fine bubbles make it one of the most food-friendly wines in the world, cutting through richness and refreshing the palate between bites. Here’s how to match it well. The classics: seafood and shellfish Oysters and Champagne are a pairing for a…
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2 min read
Vintage vs Non-Vintage Champagne: What’s the Difference?
Pick up two bottles from the same Champagne house and one might carry a year on the label while the other doesn’t. That single detail – vintage or non-vintage – tells you a lot about how the wine was made and what to expect in the glass. Non-vintage: the house signature Most Champagne is non-vintage,…
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2 min read
How to Serve Champagne: Temperature, Glass and the Perfect Pour
A good bottle of Champagne deserves a little care in the glass. The good news is that serving it well takes no special skill – just the right temperature, a sensible glass and a calm hand on the cork. Get the temperature right Champagne shows its best at around 8–10°C. Too warm and it tastes…
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2 min read
Brut, Extra Brut, Sec: A Simple Guide to Champagne Sweetness
Stand in front of a shelf of Champagne and you’ll see the same few words again and again: Brut, Extra Brut, Sec, Demi-Sec. They all describe one thing – how sweet the Champagne is – and once you can read them, choosing a bottle gets a whole lot easier. It all comes down to dosage…
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2 min read
Champagne vs Prosecco vs Cava: What’s the Difference?
If you’re just starting to explore the world of bubbles, one question comes up again and again: what’s the actual difference between Champagne, Prosecco and Cava? They all fizz, they all turn up at celebrations, and they often sit side by side on the same shelf. But to us at Champagne Hunters, they are three…
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3 min read
Why Pinot Noir Makes Champagne So Special
When people think about Champagne, they often imagine elegance, freshness and celebration. But behind every great bottle is the grape that shapes its personality – and in many of the world’s most iconic Champagnes, that grape is Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is the most widely planted grape variety in Champagne, covering around 38% of the…
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2 min read
Different grapes in champagne: Blanc de Blancs, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier
Champagne is world-famous for its complex and elegant flavors, largely influenced by the grape varieties used. The three main grapes forming the foundation of Champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Each brings its own character and grows in specific regions, shaping the final wine. Blanc de Blancs – pure chardonnay notes “Blanc de…
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3 min read
Why champagne Salon is so expensive
When it comes to prestige champagnes, Salon is in a league of its own. If you’ve ever wondered why a bottle of Salon commands such stratospheric prices, here are the main reasons. Much like Krug, the cost of Salon reflects a deep commitment to quality, rarity, and time. 1. Only in exceptional years – Very…
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2 min read
Raise your glass: Champagne day 2025
Every October, there is one Friday that sparkles brighter than the rest. It’s the fourth Friday of the month, when champagne lovers all over the world raise their glasses to celebrate Champagne Day. In 2025, the date to mark is October 24. Whether you are planning an evening with friends, a festive dinner, or a…
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1 min read
5 Facts you need to know about the history of Champagne
As you know, our favorite drink is champagne – the “wine of kings”. But behind its bubbles lies a fascinating history. Here are 5 key facts every champagne lover should know. 1. Champagne’s roots go back to the RomansVine cultivation in Champagne dates back to the 1st century. Thanks to its unique mix of oceanic…
