What is the difference between vintage and non-vintage Champagne?

Non-vintage (NV) Champagne is the most common style — a blend of wines from multiple years, topped up with reserve wines to maintain a consistent house style. Vintage Champagne is made only in exceptional years, from a single harvest. Vintage Champagne is typically more complex and age-worthy, and is significantly more expensive.

What does 'Brut' mean on Champagne?

Brut refers to the sweetness level. Brut contains less than 12g/l of residual sugar and is the driest widely available style. Other styles include Extra Brut (even drier), Brut Nature (no added sugar), Demi-Sec (noticeably sweet) and Doux (very sweet). Most people should start with Brut.

How long does Champagne last in the cellar?

Non-vintage Champagne is generally best drunk within 3–5 years of purchase. Vintage Champagne can improve for 10–20 years or more. Prestige cuvées from the top houses can age for decades. Once opened, Champagne lasts 1–3 days if sealed with a Champagne stopper and refrigerated.

What food pairs with Champagne?

Champagne is the ultimate aperitif — its acidity and bubbles are perfect for whetting the appetite. It also pairs brilliantly with oysters, smoked salmon, sushi, fried food, soft cheeses and lighter canapés. Vintage and prestige Champagnes can handle richer dishes like lobster, scallops and roast chicken.

What is the difference between vintage and non-vintage Champagne?

Non-vintage (NV) Champagne is the most common style — a blend of wines from multiple years, topped up with reserve wines to maintain a consistent house style. Vintage Champagne is made only in exceptional years, from a single harvest. Vintage Champagne is typically more complex and age-worthy, and is significantly more expensive.

What does 'Brut' mean on Champagne?

Brut refers to the sweetness level. Brut contains less than 12g/l of residual sugar and is the driest widely available style. Other styles include Extra Brut (even drier), Brut Nature (no added sugar), Demi-Sec (noticeably sweet) and Doux (very sweet). Most people should start with Brut.

How long does Champagne last in the cellar?

Non-vintage Champagne is generally best drunk within 3–5 years of purchase. Vintage Champagne can improve for 10–20 years or more. Prestige cuvées from the top houses can age for decades. Once opened, Champagne lasts 1–3 days if sealed with a Champagne stopper and refrigerated.

What food pairs with Champagne?

Champagne is the ultimate aperitif — its acidity and bubbles are perfect for whetting the appetite. It also pairs brilliantly with oysters, smoked salmon, sushi, fried food, soft cheeses and lighter canapés. Vintage and prestige Champagnes can handle richer dishes like lobster, scallops and roast chicken.

Champagne

The big houses make very good Champagne — but the wines that excite us most come from small growers who farm their own plots, bottle their own harvests, and produce something with a clarity of place that scale simply can't replicate. Every Champagne in our range is sourced directly from independent producers who take their corner of the chalk seriously.

More about Champagne

When we think of Champagne, we think of celebration, popping corks, and bubbles that tickle our noses. The méthode champenoise, where the secondary fermentation happens in the bottle, creates those fine, persistent bubbles that make Champagne so special.

From crisp and zesty Brut to elegant and toasty Vintage blends, there's a Champagne for every occasion. From the iconic houses to the small, family-run producers, Champagne is all about craftsmanship and tradition And let's not forget the chalky soils and cool climate that give these wines their distinct character.

Why Buy Champagne with Wines Direct?

Authentic Selection: Only Champagne from accredited houses and growers in the Champagne region of France.
Free Delivery in Ireland: Enjoy free shipping across Ireland on certain spend (check the website for updated information)
Expertly Curated: Our team tastes and selects each bottle for quality and value.
Perfect Gifts: Add gift wrapping or a personal note at checkout.
Customer Service: Irish-based team ready to help with pairings, recommendations, or large orders.

Champagne is the world's most celebrated sparkling wine — produced exclusively in northeast France from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier using the traditional method, where the bubbles are created by a secondary fermentation inside the bottle. The result is a wine of extraordinary complexity, finesse and longevity. Non-vintage Champagne — the most widely produced style — is a blend of multiple base wines and reserve wines that maintains consistency across vintages, while vintage Champagne captures the character of a single exceptional year. Blanc de Blancs is made entirely from Chardonnay; Blanc de Noirs from Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier. At Wines Direct we stock Champagne from the great Maisons as well as from small, artisan growers who are producing some of the most exciting Champagne today.

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J. Charpentier Brut Réserve Champagne AOC France

J. Charpentier Brut Réserve Champagne AOC France

J. Charpentier Brut Prestige Champagne AOC France

J. Charpentier Brut Prestige Champagne AOC France

J. Charpentier Brut Prestige Rosé Champagne AOC France

J. Charpentier Brut Prestige Rosé Champagne AOC France

J. Charpentier Millésime Champagne AOC 2019 France

J. Charpentier Millésime Champagne AOC 2019 France

J. Charpentier Blanc de Blancs Champagne AOC France

J. Charpentier Blanc de Blancs Champagne AOC France

J. Charpentier Reserve Brut half bottle Champagne AOC France

J. Charpentier Reserve Brut half bottle Champagne AOC France

Charpentier Rose Brut Champagne Magnum

Charpentier Rose Brut Champagne Magnum

J Charpentier Brut Reserve Magnum Champagne AOC France

J Charpentier Brut Reserve Magnum Champagne AOC France

Mandois Classique Brut Zero Champagne AOC France

Mandois Classique Brut Zero Champagne AOC France

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Why Buy Champagne with Wines Direct?

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