What is the sweeter champagne

Champagne is the perfect drink for celebrating. Its light and sparkling quality makes it a go-to for festive occasions such as weddings and New Year, but also an excellent pick for a bubbly cocktail after work. This guide to champagne explains the difference between Champagne and champagne (yes, there is one) and spills about how to safely pop a bottle of bubbly. Plus, before your next wine shop visit, don't miss our champagne buying guide. Champagne can be pretty expensive, after all, so you'll want to know how to look for good champagne. Here are a few things you should know before investing in a bottle of bubbly.

Champagne is different from sparkling wine. Champagne with a capital "C" can only come from the Champagne region in France, which means it can come with a hefty price tag. However, champagne (with a lowercase "c") from other areas—usually called sparkling wine—is moderately priced and can be just as delicious. To spot a just-as-good sparkler follow this champagne buying guide strategy: Look for "Methode Traditionelle" on the bottle's label. This means the sparkling wine has been made the same way as true Champagne instead of with the time-saving Charmat process, which involves bulk fermentation in tanks and results in a lesser-quality wine.

A few cues on the label can be your champagne guide to help you determine if a sparkling wine is dry or sweet.

• For dry champagne: look for "brut" on the label
• For dry champagne that's a little sweet: look for "extra dry" or "extra sec" on the label
• For sweet champagne: opt for Moscato, a white wine that has a softer bubbly quality that pairs well with desserts (like this sweet champagne Peaches and Cream Prosecco Cake!)

Champagne Selection Guide Tip: If you see "vintage" printed on your bottle of champagne along with the year, it means that particular sparkling wine was made with what the winemaker considered to be extraordinary grapes. However, if your bottle doesn't have a year listed, that doesn't make it inferior. In fact, when winemakers combine grapes from a variety of years, it allows them to maintain consistent quality and taste.

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For the best bubbles, serve it cold (around 40-50°F). To get the champagne to this temperature, chill it in the refrigerator for 3 hours, or pack the bottle in a bucket, tub, or sink filled with ice and water for 30 minutes. Once the bottle is open, keep the bubbly cold in a champagne bucket ($50, Crate & Barrel) filled with a mix of ice and water.

How to safely open a bottle of champagne: While most people think opening champagne involves popping a cork, the cork should ease out of the bottle with a whisper. Here's how to do it.

1. Remove the foil from the wire cage that surrounds the cork.
2. Hold down the cork with a cloth napkin or kitchen towel and twist the tab to loosen the wire cage.
3. Tilt the bottle away from you at a 45° angle to allow space for the bubbles to expand.
4. Grasp the cork (and loosened cage), with the cloth still over the top of the bottle, with one hand and gently twist the bottle (not the cork) with the other; let the pressure in the bottle gently force out the cork.
5. Pour the champagne into glasses ($26, Target) slowly.

Champagne Guide Tip: Champagne and sparkling wines have a lot of pressure inside the bottle, so if allowed to escape, a cork can be dangerous. When opening a bottle, be sure to keep hold of the cork, never point the bottle at anyone, and never leave a bottle half-opened because it could explode later.

Still unsure which bubbly to choose? Here's a list of our top choices for brands of sparkling wine, organized by price.

If you want to score affordable (but not too cheap) sparklers, look for Italian and Spanish sparkling wines. Spanish Cava(Freixenet Brut); ($12, Wine.com) or Italian Prosecco (Mionetto, Lamberti); Mionetto Prosecco Brut ($14, Wine.com) are great choices. For a sweet champagne, try a Moscato d'Asti (La Spinetta, La Serra, or Elio Perrone); Saracco Moscato d'Asti ($12, Wine.com).

• Champagne Bonus Recipe Idea: Any of these would be lovely additions to these delicious Mimosa Pancakes.

Our recommendations for slightly more expensive bottles under $20 include Chandon Riche Extra Dry, Piper Sonoma Brut, Sofia Blanc de Blancs, and Lindauer Brut.

• Champagne Guide Bonus Recipe Idea: Top off a round of Champagne Floats with any of these budget-friendly bottles.

Price doesn't always mean better quality, but if you're willing to splurge a bit, go for Laurent-Perrier Brut L-P, Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut, or Domaine Carneros Brut. Try these unadorned or as the star of this golden, party-worthy Champagne Party Punch.

Did you know that champagne bottle sizes vary? Most stores stock a 750-milliliter bottle that's the same size as a standard bottle of wine. (This is enough for about five to six servings.)

But some producers supersize their bubbly packages and offer:

• Magnum: 2 standard bottles
• Jeroboam: 4 standard bottles
• Rehoboam: 6 standard bottles
• Methuseleh: 8 standard bottles
• Salmanazar: 12 standard bottles
• Balthazar: 16 standard bottles
• Nebuchadnezzar: 20 standard bottles

Sparkling wine makes every occasion special, but don't let that limit the times you serve bubbles. There's no reason a weeknight happy hour or meet-up with friends can't be worthy of champagne, especially when you turn to some inexpensive champagne that's under $10. Cheers to making any day just a bit more special with sparkling wine.

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Most Champagnes are labelled Brut and taste dry or off-dry with just a hint of sweetness.  Here is a helpful guide to labelling terms and sweetness levels:

Brut Nature – Dry: 0-3g/L sugar

Extra Brut – Dry: 0-6g/L sugar

Brut – Dry to a hint of sweetness: 0-12g/L sugar

Extra Sec – A hint of sweetness to noticeably sweet, but not quite dessert quality: 12-17g/L sugar

Sec – Noticeably sweet, but not quite dessert quality: 17-32g/sugar

Demi-Sec – Sweet, bring on the cake! 32-50g/L sugar

Doux – Very sweet, dessert in itself!  50+g/L sugar

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Although bruts and zero dosage definitely win the popularity contest, sweet Champagnes are some of the most delicious and highly underrated sparkling wines on the market. When produced in the right hands, these pleasantly balanced bottles are perfect for sipping all day long, from weekend brunches with friends through to post-dinner dessert courses. Though as always, knowing which bottles to sip is key.

When purchasing Champagne and (and sparkling wine in general), there are a few key words to note. First and foremost, Champagne must come from its eponymous region in France. If produced elsewhere in France, the wine will likely either be labeled crémant, meaning that it’s produced using the same method as Champagne, or mousseux, which simply means sparkling. In terms of sweetness, the scale ranges as such (from driest to sweetest): brut nature / zero dosage, extra brut, brut, extra dry, dry, demi-sec, and doux. Yes, ‘extra dry’ and ‘dry’ are technically sweeter than ‘extra brut’ and ‘brut’—we know, it’s a bit confusing, but we didn’t make the rules!

In the realm of sweet Champagnes, most will fall in the demi-sec and doux category. Demi-sec Champagnes have 32-50 grams of sugar per liter, whereas doux Champagnes have 50+. While this may sound high, demi-sec Champagnes are actually lower in sugar than most common drinks, including Gin & Tonics and other alcoholic well beverages. 

“The key to an excellent sweet Champagne is balance—an interplay of acid and sugar,” says Michelle DeFeo, President at Laurent-Perrier US. “Too little acidity and the Champagne is flabby and lifeless; too much sugar and it’s cloying and heavy.” Not sure where to start? We’ve researched the best sweet Champagnes to get right now, that promise to keep your palate salivating for more. Grab your flutes and get ready to pop some tasty wine!

Courtesy of Billecart-Salmon

• Region: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ
• ABV: 12%
• Tasting Notes: Apples, Cream, Brioche

Marked by a full-body, bright acidity, and pleasantly balanced flavors, there’s no doubt in our minds that Billecart-Salmon’s Demi-Sec Champagne is the cream of the crop. Expect flavors of cream, apples, and buttery brioche. Produced from 40% pinot meunier and equal parts chardonnay and pinot noir, similar to their brut réserve cuvée.

“We make our demi-sec Champagne with the same care and attention that we do for all of our cuvées,” says Mathieu Roland Billecart, CEO and 7th generation at Billecart Salmon. Billecart notes that Billecart-Salmon only uses first-press juice from the very best crus in the region. “One of the secrets of the demi-sec is to keep freshness, despite the high amount of sugar in the dosage,” reveals Billecart.

Image Source / The Whisky Exchange

• Region: Reims
• ABV: 12.5%
• Tasting Notes: Mango, Tropical Fruit, White Flowers

For sweet Champagne on a budget, look no further than Jacquart’s Demi-Sec bottling. Honeyed flavors of ripe mango, tropical fruit, and white flowers lead to a harmonious, long-lasting finish. For bubbles that will satisfy both your palate and your wallet, this is the bottle for you. 

Related: The Best Champagnes

• Region: Tours-sur-Marne
• ABV: 12%
• Tasting Notes: Stone Fruit, Grilled Almonds, Acacia Honey

As the name suggests, this harmonious bottle of sweet bubbles is ideal for sipping alongside your favorite meals. Notes of fresh stone fruit, grilled almonds, and acacia honey ooze from the wine’s balanced and bright palate. Produced from 45% chardonnay, 40% pinot noir, and 15% pinot meunier. 

Pair with your favorite Asian dishes, especially those with a bit of heat. DeFeo explains that savory foods made with coconut, such as many Thai and Indian dishes, are fabulous with ‘Harmony,’ as the sweetness makes the Champagne round and flavorful enough to not be overpowered by intense flavors and spices. Additionally, DeFeo finds that demi-sec Champagne is also a perfect pairing for sweet brunch foods, like french toast or ricotta pancakes.

“Unlike some houses which use inferior grapes to make their sweet bottlings, Laurent-Perrier’s ‘Harmony’ is a premier cru Champagne made from high-quality grapes,” says DeFeo. She reveals that depending on the harvest, Laurent Perrier will add 10-20% of reserve wines to this blend to ensure balance and consistency. “Because we put so much effort into creating a consistent base blend, the dosage is always around 40 g/L,” DeFeo notes.

Image Source / The Whisky Exchange

• Region: Épernay
• ABV: 12.5%
• Tasting Notes: Yellow fruits, Baking spice, White flowers

For a gift that could never go wrong, check out Pol Roger’s Demi-Sec Champagne. This flavor-packed yet soft wine explodes with notes of yellow fruits, baking spice, white flowers, and cream. For serious Champagne lovers, this is a top-notch pick. Produced from equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.

Related: The Best Prosecco

• Region: Reims
• ABV: 12%
• Tasting Notes: Pineapple, Tree fruits, Marzipan

This delicate, fruit-driven Champagne from Piper Heidsieck is perfect for sipping alongside a variety of desserts, including fruit tarts, pies, and a variety of shortbread cookies. Expect flavors of pineapple, tree fruits, vanilla, and marzipan from this stunningly refreshing bottle. Produced from 50-55% Pinot Noir, Meunier 30-35%, and 15-20% Chardonnay.

• Region: Aÿ
• ABV: 12%
• Tasting Notes: Melon, Canned peaches, Cream

This fizzy bottle of sweet Champagne is acid-driven, food-friendly, and extremely versatile on the table. Vibrant acid and flavors of melon, canned peaches, cream, and honey lead to a thirst-quenching finish. Pair with Tikka Masala, blue cheese, or fruit-heavy desserts. Produced from 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 30% Pinot Meunier. 

“The secret of a great sweet Champagne is – as in all types of cuvées - in the base blend: it must provide the right balance of fine aromas, minerality, complexity and fruitiness,” says Billecart. “If you like to play with contrast when pairing with food, it is worth exploring sweet Champagne with Asian food, like lobster with garlic and spice.” Billecart notes that on the contrary, for harmonious pairings, sweet Champagne is best enjoyed with a [fresh] dessert like sorbet.

• Region: Ludes
• ABV: 12%
• Tasting Notes: Green apple, Lime leaf, Yeast

When the Champagne’s this good, sometimes liquid dessert is enough. Canard-Duchêne’s Demi-Sec cuvée jumps with flavors of green apples, lime leaf, yeast, and white flower petals, which weave together and lead to a lasting, palate-coating finish. Sip after dinner for a seriously satisfying end to your long meal.

Related: The Best Champagne Glasses

• Region: Reims
• ABV: 12%
• Tasting Notes: Citrus, Candied Fruits, Honey

Nothing screams celebratory wine like the pop of a Champagne cork, and when it’s loaded with well-balanced sweetness, all the better! This classic cuvée from Taittinger oozes with notes of citrus, candied fruits, and honey. The finish is long, textured, and elegantly satisfying. You can’t go wrong here. Produced from 40% chardonnay, 35% pinot noir, and 25% pinot meunier.

Read Next: The Best Sparkling Wines

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Vicki Denig is a wine and travel journalist based between New York and Paris. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators. Her work regularly appears on Liquor.com, Wine-Searcher, VinePair and more.