1
Champagne
Champagne, France
sparklingPale lemon, fine mousse
Traditional-method sparkling wine: high acid, yeasty depth from lees ageing.
Wine VS is about alcohol and is only for adults aged 18 or over. Please enter your date of birth.
For straightforward facts about alcohol, visit drinkaware.co.uk.
Your date of birth isn't stored or sent anywhere. This device just remembers for 30 days that you've confirmed your age. Please drink responsibly: drinkaware.co.uk
Line up two to four wines the way you'd say them. The guide covers 127 appellations and styles, and spelling doesn't need to be perfect.
Champagne and Cava side by side: structure on the WSET scale, grapes, aromas, drinking window, typical UK price and what to eat with each.
Traditional-method sparkling wine: high acid, yeasty depth from lees ageing.
Traditional-method Spanish fizz, earthier than Champagne.
The shape of each wine, then each measure on the WSET scale.
These are close in structure; the differences are mostly in grape, aroma and place.
Champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier
Cava: Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Parellada
| Champagne | Cava | |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier | Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Parellada |
| Climate | Cool continental, at the northern limit of ripening | Mediterranean |
| Soil | Chalk | Limestone and clay |
| Classification | AOC; grand cru and premier cru villages | DO; traditional method |
| Drinking window | Non-vintage 1–5 years; vintage 10–20+ | 1–5 years |
| Typical price | £30–£60 (prestige cuvées £150+) | £8–£30 |
| Food | Oysters, fried food, aperitif | Tapas, fried food |
| Producers to know | Krug, Bollinger, Pol Roger | Gramona, Recaredo, Codorníu |