Festive occasions are all about eating, drinking, and having fun. Champagne is considered a traditional celebratory drink. Whenever we go to a wedding, party or like to treat ourselves to a special glass of bubbly wine at home we open a bottle of champagne. The popping sound of the cork whenever we open a bottle of champagne is something that marks the occasion in a particular way.

You may be wondering how to choose champagne for different occasions considering the vast range of options available. Well, knowing some essential feautures about this type of wine, will help you decide better. But before we dive into these aspects let’s first define what makes this wine unique and how is it made.

Champagne is made by utilizing three particular grape types, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. During the second time of the fermentation process, the carbon dioxide gets trapped inside, making the wine effervescent and bubbly. This process is very delicate and requires particular mastery and handicraft. All these grape varieties impact the flavor of the champagne in a specific and distinctive way. For instance, the Chardonnay white grape gives off a mild, crisp, and acidic flavour to the body of the wine, while the Pinot Noir purple grape boasts flavors and aromas that are more earthy and intense.

Since people’s sweetness preferences vary there are several options of champagne flavours. Depending on its sugar content champagne wine is categorized into dry, sweet, and semi-sweet. The sweetness comes from a particular step that defines the making of champagne, a process called "liqueur d’expedition" where producers add a small amount of grape must (or sugar) before corking the bottle.

Sparkling Brut and ultra Brut are considered dry champagnes, Sec and Demi-Sec are medium to sweet and Doux is sweet champagne which is typically considered a dessert wine. The term "Brut" refers simply to a level of sweetness in sparkling wine. These are all exquisite wines full of delicacy, creaminess, and life. Compared to some other drinks, champagne wine contains very little sugar in its content. The Brut nature champagne has the least amount of sugar which is 0.5g in a serving of 150ml. So if you want to look after your calories intake you may need to consider drinks from the dryer spectrum, such as Brut and Extra Brut that have restricted sugar content.

A vintage champagne simple refers to a type of champagne that was produced from 100% grapes that came from the same year of harvest. The non-vintage champagne, on the other hand, is one that was made from a combination of grapes harvested over many years. In order to find out whether you have vintage or non-vintage champagne, you can look at the label. All vintage champagne has clearly and proudly displayed the year of the harvest which isn’t the case with the non-vintage ones. They are also generally of higher quality and therefore more expensive.

The type of wine you prefer is usually dependent on your personal preference and perhaps the occasion. For instance, a non-vintage rose is perfect for delicate dishes while the vintage champagne contains richer texture and nut-like flavours that make it more suitable for heavier meals. If you’re opting for vintage don’t skip the renowned champagne house Dom Pérignon. This bottling was named after the Benedictine monk who according to a legend was considered a father of the champagnes styles.

Different type of occasion calls for a different type of bottle of champagne. For instance, if you prepare a barbecue party in your outdoor porch area, you should choose sparkling rose champagne. This wine matches perfectly seafood cooked such as prawns or other types of meat. It features bright, fruity exuberance and red berry notes. Everything from its color to flavor profile will delight regular rosé drinkers.

The Taittinger Brut champagne features a fresh, crisp palate of citrus and mineral notes that are also a perfect complement to any fresh seafood. If you love the simplicity of mac and cheese dinner you may consider opening a bottle of rich acidic champagne for a more authentic experience. You can throw some french varieties of cheese into your meal for an even creamier and richer flavour. Moreover, champagne acidity also helps to balance out some fatty salty meals such as fish and chips.

No matter what you are celebrating, there is a bottle of sparkling champagne wine to suit every palate and price range. The truth is you can find a bottle of champagne with prices ranging from $10 to some luxury splurges that cost a real fortune. Therefore it’s best to learn about some factors and decide on how much you are willing to spend before selecting a drink from the wine aisle.

Still drinking quality sparkling champagne doesn’t have to be a rare indulgence. For this you need to expand a little bit of your knowledge beyond the classic palate of champagne wines on the market, so you can find some delicious and reasonably priced bottles of champagne that will surely make a great addition to any dish and celebration.