Discover our Champagne selection. Produced exclusively in Champagne using traditional methods creating its signature finesse and complexity. At Forest Wines, we focus on Champagnes from producers who embrace low-intervention, terroir-driven winemaking, highlighting purity, balance and the character of the vintage. These wines range from crisp, fresh styles to richer, more aged expressions, offering something for both celebrations and thoughtful food pairings.
Champagne is made from three main grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Styles vary widely, from delicate Blanc de Blancs made entirely from Chardonnay, to structured Blanc de Noirs Champagne crafted from black grapes. You’ll also find differences between non-vintage Champagne, blended for consistency and freshness, and vintage Champagne, produced only in exceptional years and built for ageing.
Here you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions for this category.
What is the difference between champagne and sparkling wine?
The main difference between Champagne and sparkling wine is in their origin.
Champagne is a type of sparkling wine that comes specifically from the Champagne region in France and is made under strict regulations, using a traditional method called “méthode traditionelle”.
Sparkling wine, on the other hand, refers to any wine with bubbles and can come from anywhere in the world, made using various methods. While Champagne tends to have a more complex, toasty flavour, sparkling wines like Prosecco, rosé sparkling wine, or red sparkling wine can offer a range of lighter, fruitier profiles, perfect for different tastes and occasions.
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What is Champagne wine?
Champagne is a sparkling wine made exclusively in the Champagne region of France using the traditional method, where the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle. This process creates Champagne’s fine bubbles, freshness and complexity. At its best, Champagne balances acidity, texture and subtle richness, making it suitable both for celebrations and for pairing with food.
What grapes are used in Champagne?
Champagne is made primarily from three grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Chardonnay brings freshness and elegance, Pinot Noir adds structure and depth, and Pinot Meunier contributes fruitiness and approachability. Most Champagnes are blends of these grapes, though some styles focus on just one.
What is Blanc de Blancs Champagne?
Blanc de Blancs Champagne is made entirely from Chardonnay. These wines are typically crisp, mineral and citrus-driven, often with great ageing potential. They’re especially popular for aperitifs or for people who enjoy fresher, more precise styles of Champagne.
What is Blanc de Noirs Champagne?
Blanc de Noirs Champagne is made from black grapes, usually Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, or a combination of both. These Champagnes tend to be richer and more powerful, with deeper fruit flavours and a fuller mouthfeel, making them well suited to food.
What is Pinot Meunier Champagne?
Pinot Meunier Champagne highlights the softer, fruit-forward side of Champagne. It often shows ripe orchard fruit and roundness, making it particularly approachable when young, while still offering balance and freshness.
What is non-vintage Champagne?
Non-vintage Champagne is blended from multiple harvest years to create a consistent house style. It’s the most common style of Champagne and is designed to be enjoyed relatively young, offering freshness, balance and reliability.
What is vintage Champagne?
Vintage Champagne is made using grapes from a single exceptional year. These wines are usually more structured and complex than non-vintage Champagnes and are often released later, with the ability to age and evolve over time.
What is organic Champagne?
Organic Champagne is made from grapes grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides. Many organic producers also follow low-intervention practices in the cellar, allowing the character of the grapes and vineyard to shine through more clearly in the finished wine.
Is English Champagne the same as Champagne?
While English sparkling wines may use the same grape varieties and production methods as Champagne, only wines made in the Champagne region of France can legally be called Champagne. English sparkling wines are a separate category.
How should Champagne be served?
Champagne is best served well chilled, ideally between 8–10°C. This temperature preserves freshness, enhances the bubbles and allows the wine’s aromas and texture to come through clearly.
