Vicky's adventures

Vicky Wine tests you with a Spark : Can you even recognise Champagne?

Are you sure you’d be able to recognise Champagne amongst other French sparkling wines ?

I am doubtful and think this is going to be hard if you are an amateur. Not that I have something against Champagne, but its marketing power too often over estimate its price for quality ratio. And some sparkling wines … often lead you on the wrong track if you didn’t see the bottle before sipping.
So Vicky Wine Tasting Came to test you. Last Thursday was held a blind tasting with 5 French sparkling wines from different wine regions, one of them only being a Champagne.

Eyebrows up, the 50 guests tried one of each, in the colour order they had chosen:

  •  1- Orange - Vouvray – Domaine Huet 2001 – Brut – (Chenin Blanc). the region of Tour and made with a traditional process, it had time to mature and develop its fruits. Thanks to a subtle balance of dosage, it is very delicate and round with a brioche and candid fruits lasting taste.
  • 2- RougeCHAMPAGNE – Daniel Pétré et Fils: Blanc de blanc, cuvee marie – This Champagne is clean and fresh with citrus notes, minerals, it is also slightly buttery. All you need for a good aperitif.
  • 3- RoseCrémant d’Alsace – Alfred Meyer – (Pinot Auxerrois) Soft due to its dosage, (4 to 5g/l) it is a simple wine with notes of white fruits.
  • 4- Or - Crémant du Jura – Chateau de Miery – Brut – (Chardonnay) is made in Mountains situated at the East of the Burgundy region. This sparkling wine is a real palate refresher thanks to a dry finish.
  • 5-Bleu - Crémant de Bourgogne – Château de Lavernette – Brut – (Chardonnay). This crémant is fresh, clean, and delicate,it has a bouquet of brioche, notes of white fruits and citrus and is inviting by its the rich texture.

The crémant d’Alsace was certainly one of the easiest to find out about cause it had more dosage. On the contrary, most of the participants confused the crémant de Bourgogne and the Champagne, both well made with Chardonnay grape. The influence of the grape variety and the length of this cremant are certainly a cause of this mistake… forgettable or not, you to decide!

The Famous Vouvray from domaine Huet being the oldest one, it could hardly be mistaken, some confused this old bubble taste with the sophistication of Champagne though, interesting.
One tip, if you are a connaisseur only, don’t pretend you can make it right without trying first, it could put you in an unpleasant position when, in front of a charming Champagne producer like Vincent Pétré, you are just wrong.

To celebrate, you won’t take much risk with a Champagne, the bottle makes it all. But if you are slightly broke or want to take more risk, why not go for a nice sparkling made with the Méthode traditionnelle (the same used in Champagne). Your guest could be happily surprised and ask for more.



My quest for the perfect Champagne is still on. Hardly find any able to beat while waiting, why not try this very good quality for price easy drinking Champagne?(Champagne Daniel Pétré & Fils, cuvée Marie, blanc de blanc)

Miss Vicky Wine 304 posts

My father is a wine maker in beaujolais and I go sip wines everywhere. I was first know as a wine blogger, today I also write in French on a national magazine online plateform that is hosting my wine blog. They wanted someone to give a fresh twist to the French wine world. They got me. Read more

2 Comments

  • winesleuth (5221 days ago) Reply

    Vicky, we NEED to take a trip to Champagne!! Spend a few days finding the perfect champers...

  • Vicky Wine (5218 days ago) Reply

    Sleuth! The quest is still on! Champagne is following me til NYC, have to be drinking it this week too... More coming soon!

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