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5 min read
A Champagne label is more than just a decorative element; it’s a roadmap to understanding the wine within the bottle. Think of it as your personal guide, revealing the character and promise of the wine as well as mandatory details which are legally regulated and crucial for transparency and communication between wine producer, seller and consumer. These include: the producer, region of origin, lot number, the vintage year (in the case of vintage Champagne only), alcohol content, sweetness level by category (from Brut Nature to Doux), etc.
The label can also include important optional information to help guide your understanding such as the grape variety or blend, winemaker’s tasting notes, the disgorgement date and background information about the producer and production methods.
Armed with this information, you can make an informed choice and select the perfect Champagne to suit your taste
Label 1
The first and most prominent element on a Champagne label is the word “Champagne”, ensuring that the wine originates from the prestigious Champagne region of France, distinguishing it from sparkling wines produced elsewhere.
Next is the brand (which can be the producer’s name), often displayed in a larger font. In the case of our Réflexion R.019, the Lallier name stands proudly at the top. Below this is the name of the cuvée, Réflexion in this case, as well as the R.019 designation, which refers to the majority of grapes coming from the 2019 harvest.
To further pinpoint the origin of the Champagne producer, the village of Aÿ, where Champagne Lallier was established, is specified. Finally, the label indicates that this is a Brut style Champagne, offering information about its level of sweetness.
Label 2
Similarly, our Loridon label shares the same essential details as the Réflexion R.019, yet it proudly displays the distinction “Grand Cru Parcellaire” above the Lallier name. Parcellaire means that this cuvée is made of grapes from a single parcel. Loridon refers to the name of the parcel.
Since the grapes used for this wine are exclusively coming from the Loridon parcel, located in Aÿ, the only Grand Cru of the Vallée de la Marne region, the label indicates Grand Cru.
What to Look for in a Champagne Label
To embark on your Champagne journey, always begin by seeking out the word “Champagne” on the label. This ensures you’re selecting an authentic product from the prestigious Champagne region of France, adhering to the rigorous production standards mandated by the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC). Without this designation, you may be considering a sparkling wine from another region, which may not follow the same meticulous methods.
Beyond the all-important “Champagne” label, you’ll typically find a wealth of information, some being mandatory including the name of the brand, the name of the producer, the style of Champagne (dosage level, such as Brut, Demi-Sec etc), and the alcohol content, while some is just informational, such as insights about the wine’s production and aging process.
Further insights can be gleaned from terms like “Blanc de Blancs”, “Blanc de Noirs,” and “Rosé,” which reveal the grape composition of the Champagne:
- Blanc de Blancs: “A Blanc de Blanc is made only with white-skinned grape varieties which are mostly Chardonnay,” says Sarah Durand, our global ambassador. “Our Lallier Blanc de Blancs perfects this style, and is crafted solely from Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Côte des Blancs and Aÿ, resulting in an elegant and refined Champagne with notes of citrus, white flowers, and caressing pastry notes.”
- Blanc de Noirs: Blanc de Noirs is made exclusively from black grapes, primarily Pinot Noir and/or Meunier, resulting in a richer, more robust Champagne with flavors of red fruits and spices. Lallier Blanc de Noirs is made solely from Pinot Noir mainly sourced from two complementary and beautiful crus in Aÿ and Verzenay. The south-facing Aÿ vineyard brings a generous softness to perfectly match the bracing freshness of the north-facing Verzenay terroir.
- Champagne Rosé: Blended Rosé (Rosé d’assemblage) is the most common method of creating Rosé in the Champagne region. At Lallier, for example, we blend still white wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, vinified separately, with 7% of Bouzy Grand Cru red wines, vinified to be soft yet powerful. This method consolidates the full and intense character of the Pinot Noir with the characteristic freshness of the Chardonnay.
Type of producer
The Champagne house’s name will typically take center stage on the label, often in the largest font. In our case, “Lallier” is clearly displayed.
In addition, smaller letters near the bottom of the label, or on the back label, indicate the producer‘s registration number, providing insights into the Champagne’s origins and production methods. Here’s a breakdown of the various producer types you might encounter:
- NM (Négociant-Manipulant): These producers purchase grapes from other growers to craft their Champagne; sometimes they also have their own vineyard to supplement. It is a common practice among Champagne houses. They then market the wines themselves
- CM (Coopérative de Manipulation): A collective of growers who pool their grapes to create Champagne under different labels
- RM (Récoltant-Manipulant): These are grower-producers who own their vineyards and typically make and market the wines with their own vineyards.
- RC (Récoltant-Coopérateur): Cooperative member who delivers their grapes to the cooperative which will then make the wine. The RC markets the Champagne produced with their own label.
- MA (Marque d’Acheteur): Brand names that don’t belong to a specific Champagne producer or grower.
- ND (Négociant Distributeur): Distributor who buys finished Champagne bottles and sells them under its own label.
Style
The sweetness level of a Champagne, indicated by terms like “Brut Nature,” “Extra Brut,” “Brut,” “Extra Dry,” “Dry,” “Demi-Sec,” or “Doux” on the label, offers a glimpse into the wine’s residual sugar content. At Champagne Lallier, we primarily produce Brut and Extra-Brut Champagnes, known for their dry, crisp character.
For instance, our Réflexion R.019, a Brut cuvée with a dosage of 8g/L, balances intense fruity notes with a delicate sweetness. This harmonious blend showcases the quality of the 2019 harvest while incorporating reserve wines from previous years to reach the perfect balance of our Lallier style based on Purity, Freshness, Intensity and Depth.
Whether you prefer a touch of sweetness or a bone-dry finish, understanding these terms empowers you to select a Champagne that perfectly aligns with your palate and preferences.
Vintage date
The presence or absence of a year on a Champagne label can reveal important information about the wine’s composition. If a year is prominently displayed, it officially signifies that the Champagne is a vintage (or “millésimé” in French), meaning it’s made exclusively from grapes harvested in that specific year. This often results in a Champagne with a unique character, reflecting the specific growing conditions of that vintage.
On the other hand, a label without a year typically indicates a non-vintage (NV) Champagne. These are skillfully blended from multiple harvests. This blending process ensures consistency in flavor and style from year to year, regardless of variations in weather or harvest conditions.
Alcohol Percentage
By law, the alcohol content is always listed on the Champagne label, although you might need to look closely. It’s often found in small type on the front label or listed on the back. You’ll typically see it expressed as a percentage followed by “ABV” (alcohol by volume). For example, our Lallier Réflexion R.019 Brut has a 12.5% ABV. Most Champagnes, including those produced by Lallier, fall within the 12% to 13% ABV range.
Discover the Champagne Lallier collection here.
