Champagne Rosé, Brut and the Houses: A Guide to Veuve Clicquot and Krug

What is Champagne?

Champagne is a sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of north-eastern France. Only wine from this region that follows the appellation rules can be called Champagne, which is why other sparkling wines use different names.

It is made mainly from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and its bubbles come from a second fermentation inside the bottle.

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How is Champagne made?

A base wine is made, blended and bottled with yeast and sugar, which starts a second fermentation that creates carbon dioxide and the bubbles. The wine then rests on the yeast, which adds the brioche and toast notes Champagne is known for.

After resting, the yeast is removed in a step called disgorgement and a small amount of sweetened wine, the dosage, is added to set the final sweetness.

What do brut and the other sweetness labels mean?

Brut has up to 12 grams of sugar per litre and is the most common style. Extra brut and brut nature are drier still, while extra dry, sec, demi-sec and doux are progressively sweeter.

For most occasions brut is the safe choice. Demi-sec suits dessert and fruit-based courses.

What is champagne rosé?

Champagne rosé is pink Champagne. Most are made by adding a small amount of still red wine to the blend, which gives colour and red-berry flavours, while some are made by leaving the juice briefly on the grape skins.

It tends to be fruitier and slightly richer than white Champagne, with notes of strawberry and raspberry. It is a favourite for celebrations and pairs well with salmon, duck and desserts.

How long does Champagne age?

Non-vintage Champagne must age for at least 15 months before release, including at least 12 months on the yeast, and vintage Champagne must age for at least three years. Top cuvées often age much longer.

This extended ageing is a major reason Champagne costs more than tank-method sparkling wines such as prosecco.

How do the main Champagne houses differ?

Veuve Clicquot is known for a full-bodied, Pinot Noir-led style and its yellow label. Krug is famous for rich, complex, long-aged multi-vintage blends. Perrier-Jouët is associated with a floral, elegant, Chardonnay-led style, and Laurent-Perrier is known for freshness and its rosé.

Treat these as broad impressions rather than rules. Compare bottles in our Champagne collection and the wider sparkling wine range.

How is Champagne different from sparkling wine?

All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Sparkling wines made elsewhere may use the same traditional method or a tank method, and they are named by region or style. Our guide to Champagne, sparkling wine and port explains the differences.

Australian sparkling wines made in the traditional method can offer excellent value and similar complexity.

How should you serve and store Champagne?

Serve Champagne at about 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in a tulip or white-wine glass, which concentrates the aromas better than a shallow coupe. Open the bottle gently by holding the cork and twisting the bottle.

Store unopened bottles on their side in a cool, dark place. Once open, a sparkling wine stopper keeps it lively for a day or two.

How do you choose a bottle of Champagne?

Decide on the occasion and the style, whether a brut non-vintage for everyday celebrations, a rosé for something special or a prestige bottle for a milestone. Check the house, the dosage and the vintage on the label.

We deliver insured across Australia, and an adult (18+) must sign for every delivery.

How do you buy online from Doctors of Whisky?

Doctors of Whisky is a Sydney-based online bottle shop. Browse the collection, add bottles to your cart and choose PayID, bank transfer, Bitcoin or USDT at checkout; paying with Bitcoin or USDT takes 12% off.

The minimum order is $300 AUD. Orders of $1,500 AUD or more ship free by express courier, and a flat $75 AUD fee applies below that. Delivery is insured, and an adult (18+) must sign for every parcel.

How can you drink responsibly in Australia?

The Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol recommend no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day. A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol, and the label on every bottle shows the number of standard drinks.

Pace yourself, eat before and while you drink, alternate with water, and never drive after drinking. You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol.