Brut or demi-sec?

Surprising but true, the term ’brut’ which describes 90% of all Champagne wines does not really give much explanation as to its true personality.

It is simply a description of a trait that it acquired at the end of the production process, when the winemaker adds the dosage which determines its sweetness. This final touch is necessary for the wine to express itself to the full, to show its full range of particularly delicate aromas.

Brut Champagne wines

Brut Champagne wines are very dry. They are perfect for most occasions and are to be found in all the four families of Champagne wines (Body, Heart, Spirit and Soul). This is why they are the most popular today.

Demi-sec Champagne wines

More sugar is added to Demi-sec Champagne wines than to brut Champagne wines. This is what gives them a sweet taste, very popular during the 18th Century. As a result they are a suitable match for many desserts.

Actual sugar content in terms of grams per litre  depends on the type of wine:

·     Sweet  (more than 50 grams/litre)

·     Demi-Sec (33-50 grams/litre)

·     Sec  (17-35 grams/litre)

·     Extra Dry (12 -20 grams/litre)

·     Brut  (less than 15 grams/litre)

·     Extra Brut (0-6 grams/litre)      

Champagne wines containing less than three grams per litre are also known as Brut Nature, Pas Dosé or Dosage Zero.