Discovering the Champagne
Deep Diving into the champagne bubbles
Champagne is not just an elegant drink. It is much more than what you think. Tasting Champagne can be like communicating with a knowledgeable person, learn how to name it, taste it and understand it. You might be surprised by what it will provide you. Mother Nature will inspire visitors humility, respect and rigor
The Style Of Champagne
Rose
Salmon or pink colored Champagne.
Made either by mixing (called assemblage) local red wine with the Champagne or via Saignee method, soaking black grapes for many hours, even days.
Blanc de Blancs
100% Chardonnay,
or but less common, a blend of different white grapes called Blanc des Blancs.
Blanc de Noirs
100% Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier. The color of the Champagne remains light golden yellow, but with very tiny pink shadows.
The Style Of Champagne
Cuvee Prestige
The premium Champagne, the flagship of the House. Vintage or not, the Grower is proposing with this cuvee his best wine. The most qualitative one.
Oeil de Perdrix
Its natural gentle color, is originally coming from soaking the skin of Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier into the grape juice for few moments. Named Oeil de Perdrix, as this color reminds the one from the eye of the partridge.
Yes, size does Matter!
Thinking a bottle of Champagne has 3 liters at most? Consider it again… There are bottles up to 30 liters. Each one gets a particular name. From unanimous point of view, magnum size offers the best performance in terms of aging, bubbles quality and serving.
From Brut Nature to Sweet
This is the addition of a small quantity of ‘liqueur de dosage’ (gram per litre) also known as the ‘liqueur d’expédition’ to the Champagne, after the second fermentation.
Its amount will determine the level of sweetness of a particular cuvee, and shall suit the Champagne style expected by the Grower.
Grapes for Champagne
There are 7 types of grapes that can be used in the production of Champagne. Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier & Arbane are allowed but rarely use. Four together represents 0.3% of the vineyard.
Chardonnay
Brings elegant notes of flowers, citrus and mineral. Perfect for aging
Pinot Noir
Brings character, body and aromas of red berries, all in a good structure
Grapes for Champagne
There are 7 types of grapes that can be used in the production of Champagne. Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier & Arbane are allowed but rarely use. Four together represents 0.3% of the vineyard.
Pinot Meunier
Bring roundness, giving supple and fruity wines
Pinot Blanc
Brings apple and peach scent, acidity and a longer lasting taste
Petit Meslier
Brings surprising citron & lime aromas as well as violet one
Pinot Gris (Fromenteau)
First one to be mature, brings outstanding organoleptic richness. Ginger bread, dry fruits, sometime smoky
Arbane
Brings dynamic essence of mandarin, bergamot and juniper berries
The creation of Champagne
From Grape in Vineyard to Bottle Champagne in Your Hand
Vendanges (Harvesting)
Grapes are exclusively picked by hand by middle of September, the exact harvest moment depends on how ripe the grapes are. Mother Nature rules…
Pressing
Quickly after picking, grapes are carefully pressed in order to extract its juice. A tiny light yellow one.
Fermentation
Poured into either a stainless tank or a barrel, the first fermentation takes place. This first fermentation sees the yeast naturally transforming the grape sugars into alcohol. Carbon dioxide as well as other rich components are also created.
Once this primary fermentation done, the Winemaker may decide, according to his strategic choices & preferences, to proceed to a malolactic fermentation (MLF), in which malic acid is broken down into lactic acid, introducing gentle taste of brioche and butter.
Clarification, Assemblage (Blending)
The last step of the MLF could involve fining, different filtering methods or centrifuging. The purpose is to eliminate the lees and other impurities, producing a clear natural base wines, now ready for the blending (assemblage).
The art of blending… Getting the most from the diversity of nature, combining wines from different growths, seven different grape varieties (cepages) and different years. The leitmotif, indisputably, here is searching for a balance. To create a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Bottling
Second fermentation occurs inside the bottle, passing from still wine to sparkling. Not done before January following the harvest, it will last between 6 to 8 weeks. A mixture of yeast, yeast nutrients and sugar (liqueur de tirage) is added to the wine. The bottle itself has to be thick strong enough to resist high pressure and different manipulations. According to the strict regulation, the Champagne must be sold in the bottle in which it underwent its second fermentation.
Maturation on lees (Aging)
Deep in cellars, bottles embark on a long journey of maturation at a constant temperature of 12°C. As the second fermentation proceeds, yeast cells die and after several months, the fermentation process is complete. During this period of interacting, yeast cells split open and spill (called yeast autolysis) into the wine imparting complex, yeasty flavors & aromas to the Champagne. However, the Champagne will now continues to age in the cellar for several more years. The minimum regulated period is 15 months. The best Champagnes will be aged up to five years or even more and the greatest ones for few decades. Resulting in its graceful toasty, fruity and yeasty character.
Riddling & Maturation
Arriving at the end of their venerable aging process, bottles must be moved and rotated to expel sediments, mostly death yeast, coming from the second fermentation. Champagne bottles are placed upside down in racks at a 75-degree angle. For 4 to 6 weeks and a total of 25 turns per bottle, a riddler gives the bottle a 1/8th of a turn whilst keeping it downward. This procedure forces the dead yeast cells to decant to the bottleneck, where they are subsequently removed. It seems that Madame Cliquot is the inventor of that particular bottle rack…
Nowadays, this traditional manual procedure is mostly done by machine.
Disgorgement, Dosage & Corking
It’s the grand final in the production of Champagne. The bottle is kept upside down while its neck is frozen in an ice-salt bath. This procedure results in the formation of a plug of frozen wine containing the dead yeast cells and impurities. The bottle cap is quickly removed and the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the bottle forces the frozen plug out (disgorgement) leaving behind a clear Champagne.
Dosage is done at the same moment, a mixture of wine and cane sugar is added to adjust the sweetness level of the Champagne and to top up the bottles. This mixture, featuring the Growers wishes & expectation, differs per Champagne House and is a quite well-kept secret. The final cork and its strong wire will be put immediately after.
Nice Champagne to be served soon…
Taste & Enjoy
Frequently Asked Questions
How does it work?
Only about Champagne Here?
Yes, everything related to Champagne, featuring still wine (Coteaux Champenois), fortified wine (Ratafia). We also support travelling in Champagne region, such as visiting vineyards and cellars.
Customize a bottle for special occasion?
A special hand painted on a bottle or a dedication is a great souvenir. Best is having it on a Jeroboam size(3L), but also possible doing it on a Magnum size(1.5L). It will be arranged in Champagne region.
Any Special offer I can Have?
For order of HK$2000 or more, 10% discount and free delivery.
For accumulated orders of HK$10,000 in 3 months, 15% discount for next 12 months.
How long before my order is ready?
You can expect your order to be delivered within 2 to 4 business days.
You will receive a first automatic confirmation email once your order is submitted. Our customer service will contact you within 1 business day to confirm your order, payment arrangement and delivery options.
Is there a minimum order?
We offer FREE shipping for orders above HK$2000. Otherwise, it's HK$80 delivery fee.
How to keep Champagne at home?
Best is store your Champagne in a wine fridge around 10 °C . Otherwise, keep it away from light, excessive vibration or noise, in a cool & dry place.
Champagne tasting event?
Cuvee Champagne organizes Champagne tasting event occasionally, follow our Facebook page for news. Private tasting session, as well as dinners, can be arranged upon request and under strict confidentiality.
Cannot find the Champagne I wish to taste?
We may get the bottle that you are searching, even if it’s not listed on our eShop. Tell us, give us some time, we will make it happen.
Who cannot buy Champagne ?
Under the law of Hong Kong, intoxicating liquor must not be sold or supplied to a minor in the course of business. Customers must be at the legal age for any alcohol purchase, which is 18 years old.
Delivery anywhere in hong kong?
We can deliver everywhere in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories. For Lantau Island and outlying islands, delivery fee to be confirmed.