The AOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) Champagne is the only designation that is not necessarily to be written on the bottle. Only a Champagne labelled in AOC Champagne can be called that, the name therefore stands on its own. And for good reason, this sparkling wine from Epernay's vicinity has a legendary history.
Behind this unique designation lies a range of possibilities. The Champagne winemakers play with the varieties' blending, the dosages and the vintages to please your taste buds. They are traditionally composed of a blending of noble varieties of the area : the chardonnay, the pinot noir and the pinot meunier. They can also be "blanc de blancs" (100% chardonnay) or "blanc de noirs" (100% pinot).
White or rosé, they are also dosed after the disgorgement and can rather be sweet rough or dry. On the vintage side, the tradition is to assemble different vintages' cuvées. When a unique vintage is used, we get a vintage champagne.