Non Vintage
Non Vintage is a multi-vintage champagne that uses wines from the current harvest in addition to reserve wines from past harvests. It is a reflection of house style and needs to be consistent each year.
Vintage champagne
Vintage champagne tells the story of one harvest season. It is only crafted in good vintages and is usually Pinot Noir and/or Chardonnay dominant due to their longer aging potential; however there are more and more growers showing the aging potential of the Meunier grape.
Tête de cuvée
Tête de cuvée is the prestige bottling and uses the best fruit from the growing season. They are usually vintage and are the highest quality. They can have a range of the following attributes: old vines, special parcels, Grand Cru sites, low yields, an oak regimen, prolonged lees contact and/or extensive cellar aging.
Blanc de Blancs
Blanc de Blancs is a white sparkling wine from white grapes (Chardonnay). It can be delicate and lace like or rich and powerful depending on the terroir and wine making practices. These are vintage worthy wines that will gain depth and complexity.
Blanc de Noirs
Blanc de Noirs is a white sparkling wine made from black grapes (Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier). It is expressive and has some tannin. It is powerful and fruity. It is lower in acid and will not age as long as a Blanc de Blancs.
Late-Disgorged
Late-Disgorged is a champagne that spends a significant amount of time sur pointe (vertically) in the cellars with all the less collected in the neck of the bottle. For this reason they mature without oxidation making them young and fresh upon release.
Rosé
Rosé is structured with a tannic grip. The majority are made by adding 8-20% still red wine (Pinot Noir or Meunier) to the base wine before the second fermentation. Another method is rosé de saignée which allows the grapes to undergo maceration (the process of making still red wine) and to pump the free run juice into a new tank. Rosé champagne is difficult to vinify as it must be a balance of flavor and texture. A rosé de saignée is usually a deeper color and has more red fruit aromas and flavors.
