What is Champagne?
Champagne is a wine that has to be grown, vinted, bottled and initially aged during secondary fermentation, all in a region called Champagne, in France. The primary grapes used in making a Champagne are Pinot Noir, Pinot Meuniere, and Chardonnay. Secondary fermentation of the wine gives Champagne its fizz, hence making it a sparkling wine. However, do not mix up the two, as Champagne is a sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wines are Champagnes. Fun fact, any other white sparkling wine cannot be legally sold or labelled as Champagne if they were not grown and made in Champagne, France!
Types of champagne
Firstly, there are two types of champagne, namely vintage (Millésimé) and non-vintage (Non Millésimé).
Vintage Champagnes are composed entirely of grapes from one specific vintage year whereas Non-Vintage Champagnes are blended wines of grapes from different vintages.
Producers of both Vintage and Non-Vintage Champagnes are not allowed to use over 80% the total harvest of the vintage for the production of Vintage Champagne. This is to ensure consistent ways of production of Non-Vintage Champagnes, such that the quality of the vintage will not be changed too much.
Next, we have different types of champagnes that are made differently.
Prestige Cuvée is an exclusive blended champagne of a Champagne House that are considered to be the best of the producer's range, e.g. Moët & Chandon's Dom Pérignon.
Blanc de noirs literally meaning "whites from blacks", is a kind of champagne made from black grapes, whereby the flesh of black grapes are considered white are made into grape juice after minimal contact with its pigmented skin, to produce white wine.
Blanc de blancs literally meaning "whites from whites", is a kind of champagne made specially from Chardonnay grapes, or sometimes, Pinot Blanc.
Rosé Champagne is a blend of white and black grapes to achieve a rosé-coloured champagne.
Grand Cru Champagnes are made of grapes grown in the best terroirs.
Lastly, Premier Cru Champagnes are made of grapes grown in the second best terroirs.
What are common champagne brands?
Although its origins are in France, you can find champagne distributed and consumed all around the world. From France to Singapore you can enjoy champagne from a variety of brands.
Some of the most common champagnes found in Singapore are the following:
- Moët & Chandon
- Veuve Clicquot
- G.H. Mumm
- Laurent Perrier
Where can I find the best-priced champagne in Singapore?
At Paneco.com, we stock premium champagnes of the brands mentioned above and also other brands such as Perrier Jouet, and Krug. We take pride in offering the best prices with no minimum spend and no hidden costs. What you see is what you get!
If you're tired of the usual white champagne, why not try some of the rosé champagnes such as our Laurent Perrier Rose that even comes with a gift box, suitable as a gift to a loved one. Do also check out our Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque Rosé 2006, for those who are interested in getting their hands on a beautiful Cuvée Rosé champagne.
Best prices in Singapore for online champagne
If you're in Singapore and looking to shop for champagne online, use Paneco.com to find a wide assortment of quality champagne and other sparkling wine delivered to your doorstep at th best price. We provide top-shelf alcohol straight to your house, with minimal hassle and absolutely nothing coming between you and the brands you love.
