The Top 10 Most Popular Champagnes in Australia
Champagne is a symbol of luxury and celebration, and it’s no surprise that Australians have embraced it with open arms. Over the years, certain champagnes have become incredibly popular in Australia, each with their own unique style and taste. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 most popular champagnes in Australia, with tasting notes and reviews for each one.
1. Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial
Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial is undoubtedly the most popular champagne in Australia. It’s a classic blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, producing a complex and rich flavour profile. The nose is bursting with aromas of apple, pear, and brioche, while the palate is a medley of lemon, peach, and toasted almonds. The finish is long and crisp with a touch of minerality.
Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial is the House’s iconic champagne. Created in 1869, it embodies Moët & Chandon’s unique style, a style distinguished by its bright fruitiness, its seductive palate and its elegant maturity.
Experience the delicious sumptuousness of white-fleshed fruits, the alluring caress of fine bubbles and the soft vivacity of citrus fruit and nuances of gooseberry.
Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial is created from more than 100 different wines, of which 20% to 30% are reserve wines specially selected to enhance its maturity, complexity and constancy, the assemblage reflects the diversity and complementarity of the three grapes varietals:
The body of Pinot Noir (30 to 40%). The suppleness of Meunier (30 to 40%). The finesse of Chardonnay (20 to 30%).
2. Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is another hugely popular champagne in Australia, renowned for its golden hue and rich, complex flavor profile. A blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, the nose is characterised by notes of toasted bread, vanilla, and dried fruit. On the palate, the champagne is full-bodied and complex, with flavours of ripe fruit, honey, and hazelnuts. The finish is long and elegant with a hint of spice.
Yellow Label is the signature of Veuve Clicquot. It manages to reconcile two opposing factors – strength and silkiness – and hold them in perfect balance with aromatic intensity and a lot of freshness.
The cellar master blends 30-45% reserve wines with grapes from as many as 50 to 60 different crus. The Pinot Noir predominance (50-55%) provides the structure that is so typically Veuve Clicquot, while Chardonnay (28-33%) adds the elegance and finesse essential in a perfectly balanced wine, and a touch of Meunier (15-20%) rounds out the blend.
The long aging in Veuve Clicquot Crayères (3 years minimum for Yellow Label) gives silkiness to the Champagne.
3. Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée
Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée is a delicate champagne that’s famous for its fresh, floral aromas. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, the nose is dominated by notes of white flowers, lemon, and pear. On the palate, it’s light and refreshing with flavours of citrus and green apple. The finish is crisp and clean with a hint of minerality.
4. Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut
Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut is a full-bodied champagne renowned for its rich, complex flavour profile. A blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, the nose is characterised by notes of honey, baked bread, and red fruit. On the palate, the champagne is full-bodied and robust with flavours of ripe fruit, toasted nuts, and a touch of smokiness. The finish is long and powerful with a hint of spiciness.
Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée is the result of the delicate blending between harvest grapes and a majority of reserve wines, part of which have been aged in magnums for 5 to 15 years. Bollinger Special Cuvée Gift Box including 4 lovingly handmade and hand painted Cocoa Nib chocolate bonbons to create a moment of pure joy for your recipient.
5. Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is a crisp, elegant champagne made entirely from Chardonnay grapes. The nose is delicate and floral, with notes of white flowers, citrus, and peach. On the palate, it’s light and refreshing with flavours of lemon, grapefruit, and green apple. The finish is long and clean with a hint of minerality.
6. Piper-Heidsieck Brut
Piper-Heidsieck Brut is a bold, full-bodied champagne with a rich, fruity flavour profile. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, the nose is characterized by notes of baked bread, honey, and ripe fruit. On the palate, the champagne is full-bodied and complex with flavours of ripe fruit, toasted nuts, and a hint of spice. The finish is long and powerful with a touch of minerality.
7. Taittinger Brut Réserve
Taittinger Brut Réserve is a delicate champagne that’s famous for its fresh, floral aromas. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, the nose is characterised by notes of white flowers, lemon, and apple. On the palate, it’s light and refreshing with flavours of citrus and green apple. The finish is crisp and clean with a hint of minerality.
8. Pol Roger Brut Réserve
Pol Roger Brut Réserve is a classic champagne that’s known for its elegance and finesse. A blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, the nose is characterised by notes of apple, honey, and brioche. On the palate, the champagne is light and refined with flavours of citrus, white flowers, and toasted almonds. The finish is long and smooth with a touch of minerality.
The Brut Réserve is a blend in equal parts of the three champenois grape varieties: pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay from 30 different crus. 25% reserve wines are used to produce this cuvée:
- The Pinot Noir (bringing structure, body and power) is mainly produced from some of the best crus of the Montagne de Reims.
- The Pinot Meunier (ensuring freshness, roundness and fruitiness) is issued from several crus from the Vallée de la Marne and from the Epernay area.
- The Chardonnay (adding its aromatic complexity, finesse, elegance and lightness) comes from Epernay and some of the best crus of the Côte des Blancs.
After four years ageing in the cellars, its style combines complexity, balance and distinction.
9. Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve
Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve is a complex champagne that’s famous for its rich, fruity flavour profile. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, the nose is characterised by notes of honey, ripe fruit, and toasted bread. On the palate, the champagne is full-bodied and robust with flavours of ripe fruit, toasted nuts, and a hint of spice. The finish is long and powerful with a touch of minerality.
10. G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge
G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge is a bold, full-bodied champagne with a rich, fruity flavour profile. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, the nose is characterised by notes of ripe fruit, honey, and brioche. On the palate, the champagne is full-bodied and complex with flavours of ripe fruit, toasted nuts, and a hint of spice. The finish is long and powerful with a touch of minerality.
In conclusion, these are the top 10 most popular champagnes in Australia, each with its unique style and taste. Whether you prefer a light and refreshing champagne or a bold and full-bodied one, there’s a champagne for every palate. From the classic Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial to the bold G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge, each of these champagnes is sure to delight your taste buds. So, raise a glass and celebrate in style with one of these delicious champagnes.
