Find your sparkling wine

Champagne, the drink of celebration and festivities

Did you know that the kings of France played a major role in champagne's rise to fame? During the Middle Ages, royal tables were fond of this sparkling, festive wine from the Champagne vineyards. It became the drink of choice for baptisms and coronation ceremonies of French kings. Since then, champagne has established itself on tables worldwide as a wine of celebration and elegance, embodying the French art of living. Its unique production method, the méthode champenoise, based on a double fermentation in the bottle and a meticulous disgorgement, gives it its fine and persistent bubbles, its airy foam and its incomparable aromatic complexity.

Discover our wide range of champagnes

Champagne wines offer a wide variety of styles and profiles. They can be Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demi-Sec or Doux, depending on the amount of residual sugar remaining after the addition of the dosage liqueur. Brut Nature is the least dosed, the most "pure"; Doux is on the contrary the richest in residual sugar. In great years, a champagne can also be vintage: grapes from a single harvest are then used in its production. Outside of these exceptional vintages, champagne is usually a blend of several years and several grape varieties, a technique that guarantees the consistency of the style of each house or grower-producer.

Champagne grape varieties

The flagship grape varieties of champagne are Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. In total, seven grape varieties are authorised in Champagne: Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are also permitted. When only white grapes with white juice are used — for example a 100% Chardonnay, the result is a Blanc de Blancs, both fresh and mineral. When only black grapes with white juice are vinified, the result is a Blanc de Noirs, more vinous and structured.

A wide price range for every budget

The blending process in champagne production allows for a wide choice of flavours and prices. The plots, the years, the grape varieties and the methods allow Champagne houses and independent growers to achieve, through these subtle blends, consistent quality levels that give champagne its worldwide reputation. At Avenue des Vins, you will find both high-end champagnes and more affordable bottles, all selected for the authenticity of their producer. By buying directly from the grower-producer's cellar, you benefit from a fair price, full vintage traceability and a champagne shipped in the best storage conditions, with no middleman.

Champagne, crémant or natural sparkling wine: how to choose ?

The world of sparkling wines goes far beyond champagne. Each type of sparkling wine has its own production characteristics, aromas and price range:

• Champagne: produced exclusively in the Champagne region using the traditional method (double fermentation in the bottle, minimum 6 bars of pressure). Fine and persistent bubbles, aromatic complexity, excellent ageing potential.
• Crémant: produced in other French regions (Alsace, Loire, Burgundy, Limoux, Bordeaux, Die…) using the same traditional method. Slightly lower pressure (3.5 to 4.5 bars), softer and creamier foam. Excellent value for money.
• Natural sparkling wine (or "pét-nat"): made using the ancestral method, with a single fermentation directly in the bottle, without disgorgement. Slightly cloudy, lightly dosed, lively on the palate. Highly popular among lovers of natural wines and sulphite-free sparkling wines.
• Prestige bubbles: great cuvées from grower-producers, vintage champagnes from exceptional plots, crémants aged in oak barrels. For occasions that deserve excellence.

At Avenue des Vins, our selection of sparkling wines covers all of these styles, directly from the cellars of growers and producer-harvesters. Discover also our organic sparkling wines and our prestige bubbles.

Your questions about sparkling wines

What is the difference between champagne and crémant ?

Champagne is produced exclusively in the Champagne region using the traditional method, with a bottle pressure of at least 6 bars. Crémant follows the same method in other French regions (Alsace, Loire, Burgundy, Limoux…), but has a slightly lower pressure (3.5 to 4.5 bars), giving it a creamier and softer foam. Crémant generally offers excellent value for money compared to champagne.

At what temperature should sparkling wine be served ?

Champagne or crémant is ideally served between 8 and 10°C. For a light sparkling wine or a pét-nat, go down to 6–8°C. Use a flute or tulip glass to preserve the bubbles and concentrate the aromas. Avoid the champagne coupe: the bubbles dissipate too quickly.

Which sparkling wine to choose for an aperitif ?

For an aperitif, a Brut or Extra Brut champagne (lively, low in sugar) or an Alsace or Loire crémant (fruity and fresh) are perfect choices. For an original touch, opt for a natural sparkling wine. A demi-sec will be preferable if the aperitif is accompanied by slightly sweet canapés. See our selection of sparkling wines for aperitif →

How long can champagne be kept in a cellar ?

A non-vintage champagne can generally be kept for 2 to 3 years after purchase. A vintage champagne from a quality grower-producer can be kept for 5 to 10 years, or even longer for the great prestige cuvées. Ideal conditions: cool cellar (10–12°C), dark, vibration-free, bottles lying on their side.

Why buy your sparkling wines from Avenue des Vins ?

Avenue des Vins offers its champagnes and sparkling wines direct from the producers and grower-producers' cellars. Each bottle is shipped by the winemaker themselves: full vintage traceability, guaranteed freshness and a fair price with no middleman. Beyond the bottle, you discover the story and philosophy of a passionate producer. Discover our full selection of sparkling wines →