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Rosé Champagne is sparkling wine from Champagne with a pink colour, made by blending still red Champagne wine into white base wines or by macerating black grapes. Most bottles taste dry; check the sweetness category on the label.
Both are white Champagnes: Blanc de Blancs uses white grapes, usually Chardonnay; Blanc de Noirs uses Pinot Noir, Meunier or both. The first can feel citrus-led and fine, the second broader and fruitier, though bottles overlap.
Blanc de Noirs Champagne is white Champagne made exclusively from black-skinned grapes, usually Pinot Noir, Meunier or both. It often has more body and ripe-fruit character, but its exact style depends on the wine.
Blanc de Blancs Champagne is made only from white-skinned grapes, usually Chardonnay. It often tastes fresh and citrus-led, though origin, winemaking and age can make it richer.
Pinot Meunier is a red grape best known for adding supple fruit and roundness to Champagne, especially in the Marne Valley. It also makes fresh sparkling wines and occasional juicy reds.
Pinot Noir is the best all-round match: its fresh red fruit and gentle tannins suit mushrooms’ savoury, earthy flavour. Try Chardonnay with cream or Gamay for a lighter red alternative.
From apple and cherry to pecan, lemon and chocolate, discover seven sweet-pie pairings, with wine styles to try and tips for choosing a bottle sweet enough for dessert.
Beaujolais is a wine region north of Lyon, known for dry Gamay reds with bright fruit and fresh acidity. Styles range from youthful Beaujolais Nouveau to the 10 crus, including fragrant Fleurie and more structured Morgon.
Piedmont, in north-west Italy, is famous for Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera. Its wines range from fragrant, tannic reds to crisp whites and gently sparkling Moscato.
Choose a fresh, medium-bodied red for steak and ale pie, textured Chardonnay for creamy chicken and mushroom, and dry sparkling wine or fresh Chardonnay for fish pie. For blue cheese, try Sauternes or sweet Chenin Blanc.
Nebbiolo is a red grape from Piedmont, Italy, known for pale, perfumed wines with high acidity and firm tannins. Barolo and Barbaresco are its famous expressions; other regions offer fresher, lighter styles.
Mondeuse is a red grape from Savoie in eastern France, known for fresh acidity, dark berries, violet and pepper. Its structured, characterful wines are especially associated with Arbin, a Savoie cru, and pair naturally with savoury food.
Second Glass
Second Glass writes about wine. Please confirm you are old enough to view alcohol-related content in your location.
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