What are the types of champagne? Dom Pérignon, Armand de Moet, Chandon, high-end champagne types

Champagne is enjoyed at toasts and clubs. There are so many different types that many people don't know which one to choose.
So, this time we will explain the different types of champagne you are interested in. This is a must-read for those who want to know the differences between brands and bottles.

What is champagne? What is the difference between champagne and sparkling wine?

Champagne is a type of sparkling wine . To be precise, it is called "Champagne". It is known as a high-class drink that has a beautiful grape-derived aroma and a silky texture, and is characterized by fine bubbles created by secondary fermentation in the bottle .
During the champagne production process, the raw liquor is blended, a process called " assemblage," and syrup is added, a process called "dosage." The production methods vary depending on the producer and type, so the taste naturally varies from bottle to bottle .
Only sparkling wines that meet strict criteria can be called Champagne. Only wines produced in the Champagne region of France and that meet all the rules set out in the French AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôle) law can be called Champagne.

How are Champagne types determined? Focus on the producer and grape variety

There are many different types of drinks called champagne. To distinguish between different types of champagne, pay attention to the producer, grape variety, and age.
From here, we will explain the points to look for when distinguishing between different types of champagne.

Check the producer and brand first

There are many champagne producers. Each producer has different fields and production methods, so let's first check what kind of producer makes it and what kind of brand of champagne it is .
Some famous brands to look out for are "Moet & Chandon" , "Dom Perignon" , "Krug", "Salon", "Veuve Clicquot" , etc. Also noteworthy are "Armand de Brignac" and "Angel Champagne" , which have been popular in the club scene in recent years.
We will explain the lineup and characteristics of each producer in detail later, so please refer to it.

The three grape varieties used

Champagne is a type of wine, so it is made from grapes. However, not just any grapes can be used; there are specific varieties that can be used.
Basically, three varieties are used to make champagne: Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay . The flavor of champagne is created by blending the raw spirits of these grapes in a well-balanced way.

• Pinot Noir : A black grape variety mainly grown in Burgundy, giving the wine a firm body.
• Meunier : A black grape variety with light-colored skin that gives a fresh red fruit and soft impression.
• Chardonnay : A variety used for white wine in Burgundy, different from the two above. It gives a fresh impression with its acidity and minerality.

Most champagnes are made from a blend of three grapes, but there are also some specialty champagnes made only from Chardonnay or only from Pinot Noir.
Champagne made from 100% Chardonnay is called "Blanc de Blancs." It has a fresh and vibrant taste, so it is easy to drink even for beginners. On the other hand , champagne made from 100% Pinot Noir is called "Branque Noir." It has a robust flavor and is an extremely satisfying champagne to drink.

The basic variety is white, but there is also rosé champagne.

Champagne made using these three types of grapes is generally white , although some bottles contain red wine assemblage (blending) to create rosé champagne .
Rosé champagne has a beautiful pink appearance and is very popular among women. It is also characterized by being slightly more expensive because it takes more time to produce than white champagne.

Know the difference between NV and Vintage

Even within the same brand of champagne, there are two ranks: NV and Vintage. NV stands for Non-Vintage , and refers to champagne without an age indication . Some brands may say "Non-Vintage" instead of NV.
NV champagne is often a well-balanced flavor because it is a blend of raw liquor from multiple years. There is little variation in taste, and it is popular as an orthodox bottle. Even though it is called non-vintage, it does not mean that it has not been aged. It is required to be aged for at least 15 months from bottling to shipping , so you can enjoy high quality champagne even with the NV label.
On the other hand, Millésime is a special champagne that is made only in years when the grapes are of good quality . It is also known as vintage champagne. Since Millésime uses grapes from a single year, it is easier to feel the individuality of the grapes than NV, and the appeal is that you can enjoy different flavors depending on the year designation.
The vintage champagne is sold as a "high-end lineup" among each producer. It is required to be aged for at least three years from bottling to shipping , and the aging period itself is longer than that of non-vintage champagne.

The sweetness of champagne is determined by dosage

Champagne comes in a wide range of flavors, from sweet to dry, which is determined by how much sugar is added to the champagne, known as dosage.

• Very dry...Ultra Brut
• Dry...Brut
• Slightly dry...Sec
• Sweet... Demi-Sec
• Very sweet...

For example, dry champagne with a low dosage is labeled "Ultra Brut." Conversely, champagne labeled "Demi-Sec" is a sweet champagne.

Moet & Chandon is the world's most popular and well-known champagne.

kinds	Features	Price (incl. tax)
Moet Imperial	Moet & Chandon standard bottle White champagne aged for 24 months Well-balanced flavour that goes well with food	¥7,370
Imperial Rose	Rosé champagne made by adding red wine Based on Moet Imperial It has hints of red fruit and goes well with meat dishes.	¥8,690
Grand Vintage	Imperial Series Vintage Champagne Produced only in good years Aged for about 7 years	¥10,560
Grand Vintage Rosé	Vintage Champagne Rosé It is shipped after aging for about 7 years. Red berry with hints of spice	¥11,990
Nectar Imperial	A slightly sweet champagne with a high dosage Exotic fruit flavors go well with spicy dishes	¥8,745
Ice Imperial	A special champagne that is enjoyed over ice A rich, sweet drink that won't get diluted even when the ice melts.	¥9,295
Ice Imperial Rosé	Ice Imperial series rose type Look for the white with pink pattern	¥9,735
MCⅢ	Moet & Chandon's finest bottle A fusion of champagne made in different environments: metal, wood, and glass	¥65,000〜

It is no exaggeration to say that Moet & Chandon is the most famous luxury champagne in the world. It is widely available in Japan and is affectionately known as "Moet-champagne." Although Moet & Chandon is a luxury champagne, it is easy to obtain and is known for being able to purchase a non-vinyl bottle for less than 10,000 yen .
By the way, Moet & Chandon also produces the famous champagne Dom Pérignon. As it is a major champagne company with a large amount of sales worldwide, it seems to put a lot of effort into promotion.
Moet & Chandon has a wide lineup, making it easy to choose the flavor you like. In addition to dry bottles, they also offer sweet bottles of champagne and rare champagnes that are enjoyed over ice .

Dom Pérignon is a luxury item that is only produced in special years.

kinds	Features	Price (incl. tax)
Vintage	The standard bottle, affectionately known as Dom Pérignon White White champagne aged for over 8 years Only made in special years	From about ¥25,000
Rosé Vintage	A popular bottle called Dom Pérignon Pink (Ping Don) Rose champagne aged for about 10 years The powerful flavor of Pinot Noir is impressive.	From about ¥45,000
Enoteca	A rare and luxurious Dom Perignon aged for about 16 years. The beloved champagne known as Dom Pérignon Black It is currently sold out	From about ¥100,000
Dom Perignon P2	A premium champagne aged for approximately 16 years An evolved Dom Perignon that has reached the peak of its second aging It is also called the successor to Enoteca.	From about ¥80,000
Reserve de l'Abbaye	An extremely rare Dom Perignon aged for about 20 years. It is called Dom Pérignon Gold because of its gold label. It is currently sold out	From about ¥175,000
Dom Perignon P3	The finest Dom Perignon aged for over 25 years A bottle said to have reached the peak of its third stage of maturation. It is rarely released and its existence is valuable	From about ¥1,000,000
Dom Pérignon Luminous	Dom Perignon in a glow-in-the-dark bottle The contents are Dom Perignon White	From about ¥30,000

Dom Pérignon is a luxury champagne released by Moet & Chandon. It is a rare champagne that is only produced in auspicious years , and even the standard bottles are aged for more than eight years.
It is affectionately known as Dom Pérignon and is especially famous in Japan. Its dry, smart taste is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to special occasions. It became a big hit in the nightlife during the bubble era and has been loved for many years since then.

All of Krug's champagnes are prestige and have many fans.

kinds	Features	Price (incl. tax)
Grande Cuvée	A classic Krug product that is aged for at least six years A complex blend of 120 different grapes Due to its high quality, it is called multi-vintage (MV) rather than non-vintage.	From about ¥40,000
Krug Rose	A gorgeous rosé champagne with rose-like nuances The rich, full-bodied flavor is unique to Krug	From about ¥57,000
Krug Vintage	Vintage champagne made only in special years The taste and characteristics are completely different depending on the age notation	From about ¥50,000
Collection 1990	Vintage Krug stored in a special cellar The mature taste of the second aging	From about ¥200,000
Clos du Mesnil	100% Chardonnay Krug A champagne with floral nuances, aged for 10 years	From about ¥185,000
Clos d'Anhone	A special bottle of 100% Pinot Noir Only produced in good years, with only about 2,000 bottles released per year, this is a very valuable product.	From about ¥800,000

Krug is a champagne house that has been protecting its traditions for six generations since its founding in 1843. It is considered one of the finest champagne brands, and each bottle has an exceptional taste.
It takes about 20 years to make one bottle of champagne , resulting in a ripe finish. Krug has many enthusiasts, and fans of Krug are called "Krugists."

Salon only has one type of champagne! Commitment to 100% Chardonnay

Salon's champagne is not divided into different varieties like other brands. It is a one-of-a-kind vintage champagne that is only made in years when the grapes are in good condition and is made entirely from 100% Chardonnay . It has a beautiful aroma that is unique to Blanc de Blancs champagne, and although it has a sense of maturity, it also has a lively freshness.
Salon champagne is so luxurious that a single bottle can sell for over 150,000 yen. Prices also vary depending on the vintage, so be sure to check carefully.
Salon only produces one type of champagne, but its sister house is Delamotte . The grapes from years when Salon is not produced are used for Delamotte champagne.

Veuve Clicquot has a wide lineup, and the Yellow Label is especially popular.

kinds	Features	Price (incl. tax)
Yellow Label Brut	Standard bottle aged for 3 years or more The yellow label, known as Clicquot Yellow, is the mark of this product. A popular bottle with an impressive dry taste	¥8,470
Rose Label	Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne A full-bodied, impactful wine	¥9,240
White Label Demi Sec	High dosage sweet champagne Look for the white box and label	¥8,690
Extra Brut Extra Old 2	Premium champagne aged for at least 60 months Very dry taste with beautiful texture	¥11,000
rich	A very sweet champagne to enjoy with ice It has a creamy impression and can be enjoyed like a cocktail.	¥9,295
Rich Rosé	Very sweet, rosé type of Rich series Add ice and enjoy it like a dessert.	¥9,790
Vintage	A unique champagne made from grapes from a single year Enjoy the different nuances of each year	Approx. ¥9,900
Vintage Rosé	Vintage Rose Champagne The spiciness of the red wine adds an accent.	Approx. ¥9,790
La Grande Dame	A prestige champagne created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Maison's founding 90% of the blend is made up of Pinot Noir.	¥21,780
La Grande Dame Rosé	La Grande Dame Rose Bottle Over 90% of the wine is Pinot Noir, with a striking berry flavor.	¥42,240

Veuve Clicquot is a famous champagne brand that was developed by Madame Clicquot. It is known for its great achievements in the champagne world, including being the first among many maisons to produce vintage champagne and creating rosé champagne made from red wine .
The most famous champagne is the "Yellow Label," a dry champagne marked by a yellow label. In addition to this, the lineup is very large, and they also release sweet bottles, vintage champagne, and prestige champagne. With such a wide lineup, it is easy to choose a champagne to match the occasion or meal.

Armand de Brignac is known for its colorful appearance, the Armand traffic light.

kinds	Features	Price (incl. tax)
Brut (Gold)	Armand's classic bottle with a gold label In addition to the standard 750ml bottle, there are also 1,500ml magnum sizes available.	¥48,000
Rosé (pink)	A bottle of Armando's rosé with a spicy nuance Popular in the nightlife as one of the "Armando traffic lights"	¥80,000
Demi-Sec (Red)	A sweet champagne aged in the cellar for six years. Originally, this bottle was only available to visitors to the House.	¥74,980
Blanc de Blancs (Silver)	A 100% Chardonnay champagne with outstanding minerality Look for the silver bottle	¥100,000
Blanc de Noir (Black)	A rare champagne made from 100% Pinot Noir The finest of the Armando series	¥198,000
Masters Edition (Green)	A limited edition from Armando with the same contents as Gold Popular in the nightlife as one of the "Armando traffic lights"	¥48,000

Armand de Brignac is a champagne marked by a large spade mark and a colorful bottle. Commonly known as "Armand," it is gaining popularity as a standard champagne in the nightlife district.
Armando's champagne does not come in vintage bottles, but that does not mean it is of low rank; it is made by blending wines from multiple years, with a focus on maintaining quality through non-vintage production .
In recent years, it has been featured in Jay-Z's music video, and in clubs, gold, pink, and green Armando are lined up together to form the "Armando Traffic Light," attracting much attention. Of course, it's not just the topic of conversation; it's also highly rated for its taste.

Angel Champagne has a wide variety of bottle designs and is popular on Instagram.

kinds	Features	Price (incl. tax)
Non-vintage Brut	A classic champagne made by blending grapes from multiple years. In addition to the standard black, there are many other bottle designs available, including halo red and halo blue.	From ¥35,640
Non-vintage Rose and White	A rosé champagne with a sweet berry flavor. The white bottle features a cute wing design.	¥51,840
Vintage Silver	Vintage champagne with a concentrated flavor Limited edition with serial numbers on the box and bottle	¥129,600

Angel Champagne is a relatively new and up-and-coming brand among luxury champagnes, having only recently arrived in Japan in December 2017.
The bottle design with angel wings and the special gift box are popular, and are especially popular as gifts for women. Angel Champagne is even sold in gift boxes alone.
Angel Champagne has three different bottles, but there are many colorful bottles, so it is very popular among collectors. In addition to the standard black, white, and silver, there are also green, yellow, pink, blue, and red, so be sure to check them out.

For appraisals of high-end champagne, go to a liquor store

Famous champagnes like those introduced here have a high market value and are often subject to high purchase prices. If you are thinking of selling your unused champagne, we recommend using a store that specializes in buying alcohol .
As mentioned above, even champagne has a wide range of value, and the price varies greatly depending on the type. If you have your champagne appraised at a liquor purchase specialty store, there will be a professional appraiser there, so you can have them properly assess the differences in types and their market value.
At Linksus, a liquor purchase specialty store, we are currently strengthening the purchase of champagne, so please feel free to contact us. Of course, we can also evaluate champagne other than the brands introduced here , so please feel free to contact us first.
Buy champagne here

summary

Today we're talking about the different types of champagne.
The types of champagne vary not only by brand, but also by the type of grapes, aging period, and production method. If you can distinguish between the different types of champagne, it will be easier to find your favorite bottle.
The price range varies depending on the type, so be sure to compare the differences. If you're not sure which one to choose, we recommend starting with the standard bottle.