Compare a champagne made from all three grapes with a blanc de blanc, a blanc de noir, and a rosé.
Champagne can be made from three grapes, two red and one white. They are Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay; known for richness, fruitiness and refinement respectively. This tasting pack enables you to compare and contrast the most common styles of champagne.
In Champagne a large proportion of the vineyards are family owned and worked. Traditionally they have sold their grapes to the Champagne “Houses” who then make the champagne. But an increasing number of families who own the better vineyards have gone into making their own champagne. Hence the term Grower Champagne.
This tasting pack comprises four half bottles:
- a champagne that is a blend of all three varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay
- a blanc de blanc, that is, a champagne made solely from Chardonnay.
- a blanc de noir, that is, a champagne made solely from red grapes; in this case, Pinot Noir.
- a rosé, that is a champagne made by adding a touch of Pinot Noir to Chardonnay.
This tasting pack will enable you to decide the style you are most likely to enjoy best. However, a word of warning, not all champagnes taste like the ones we have selected; these are excellent examples of their respective styles at their best.
Ideal for a virtual wine tasting - see here for more details.
Champagne is better if it has been opened and allowed to breathe for 20 to 30 minutes before drinking. We didn’t believe it when we were first advised to do this but it really works. Just open the bottle and leave it in the fridge; it will not lose its bubbles but will taste much better when it has had a chance to breathe. Also, do not allow it to be too cold, that masks the flavours.