What: This charming, quaffable salmon pink number comes from the village of Hautvillers, made famous by Dom Perignon. Notes of strawberry, blossom and toasted brioche make this adaptable and easy drinking, perfect for a summery celebration and an easy pair for all sorts of dishes. Drinking Champagne at around 10-12°C will allow the aromas to be released. On the palate the often-delicate flavours will be ‘numbed’ if served too cold, while at warmer temperatures the flavours will be better absorbed into the palate. There’s nothing quite like popping a nice bottle of bubbly, from the popular Italian Prosecco to the Spanish Cava to the crème de la crème—French Champagne. More exclusive, Dom Pérignon is the prestige cuvée of Champagne House Moët & Chandon. Dom Pérignon is named after a Benedictine monk considered by many to be the spiritual father of Champagne. (*According to him, Champagne is like ‘tasting the stars’—an out-of-this-world summary that seems pretty accurate even to this day). A French classic, Dom Pérignon is the most famous brand of vintage Champagne (meaning: produced using the best grapes grown in a single year) in the world. Dom Pérignon is a favorite of royalties and celebrities alike. Memorably, Dom Pérignon was the Champagne of choice for the royal wedding of Lady Diana to Prince Charles.

The primary types of Champagne are Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and Rosé, indicating the varieties and the colors of the grapes used. A Champagne House’s prestige cuvées (or Têtes de Cuvée in French) are the best-of-the-best Champagne, typically made from the finest grapes in Champagne’s best vineyards.A classic Champagne brand for sophisticated palates. Founded in 1729, Ruinart is the oldest Champagne house in the world; it is now owned by LVMH. Champagne, by definition, is a sparkling wine produced (grown, fermented, and bottled) exclusively in the eponymous Champagne region in the north of France. The Champagne region is centered around three main towns, namely Reims, Épernay, and Aÿ. Festive and fancy, French Champagne has become the universal luxury drink of choice for celebrations and special occasions—anniversaries, birthdays, holidays—or just because. A good Champagne makes for a perfect sip thanks to its easy drinkability and food-friendly nature. Playing a starring role in celebrating many of life’s triumphant moments, Champagne comes in a variety of price ranges and a variety of styles.

Prestige Cuvée champagnes are often considered the Champagne house’s pinnacle of achievement. Prestige cuvées often have their own names.Most champagnes are non-vintage (NV), meaning they are made from a blend of wines made from grapes from different years, as opposed to one year’s harvest for vintage (V) or millesimé Champagne (with the year indicated on the label). The best value Champagne for epicureans. Born from a wine lover’s fairy tale, Canard-Duchêne is a well-respected Champagne brand that is both affordable and delicious.