The four families of Champagne wines

You used to talk about Champagne, now you know that many Champagne wines exist, all different. How do you recognise them?

Champagne wines with Body:

The key words for these Champagne wines are: power, structure and intensity.
Such Champagne wines, be they young, mature, or even vintage, are usually made with a predominance of Pinot noir and Pinot meunier, two grape varieties which create distinctive aromas and give the wine depth, vinosity, power and vigour. These are muscular Champagne wines, enjoyable for theirs scents of violets, spices, truffles, fresh butter, Virginia tobacco, ripe wheat and biscuit pastry.

Champagne wines with Heart:

The key words for these Champagne wines are: generosity, warmth and softness.
Mature, Brut, often Vintage, these wines are fresh, smooth and always well-balanced. These wines are usually dominated by Pinot noir and Pinot meunier, but they can be Rosé or Demi-sec. Their colours range from golden yellow through to deep pink. On the nose, red petals, honey, peaches, pears in cinnamon, candied oranges and gingerbread may come to mind. On the palate we appreciate their round and soft character.

Champagne wines with Spirit:

The key words for these Champagne wines are: light, vivacious and delicate.
Invariably they are brut or Blanc de Blancs Champagne wines with a preponderance of Chardonnay. As they mature and reach their optimum they develop a certain raciness. Champagne wines with Spirit are lively, brilliant, clear-cut, often with a grey-yellow colour. Their bubbles are light, quick to form, sprightly with a lovely delicate appearance. We are reminded of fresh fruit, in particular citrus and exotic fruit, mint and fresh almonds. A light golden colour and fine necklace of bubbles, a true jewel.

Champagne wines with Soul:

The key words for these Champagne wines are: maturity, complexity and richness.
The rarest vintages, the most complete wines and collectible special cuvées. Inevitably these are mature wines, often from exceptional years. The extremely fine bubbles and their old gold, even amber like appearance inspires an almost religious awe in many drinkers.