Champagne

In 1668, the monk Dom Pérignon is credited with discovering the traditional method of making sparkling wine - a technique now used worldwide. Yet it is only in Champagne, France’s most northerly wine region, that this method produces wines of such finesse and prestige. Today, Champagne is home to over 15,000 growers and 290 Champagne houses. The region’s cool climate often necessitates a blend of grape varieties: Chardonnay brings fruit and elegance, while Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier provide body and backbone. At Berry Bros. & Rudd, our buying team seeks out both the iconic houses and the most exciting grower-producers. From Grandes Marques to artisanal domaines, each wine we select offers a distinctive expression of terroir, crafted with meticulous care - often through organic or biodynamic viticulture. The result is a Champagne collection that balances heritage with innovation, ensuring uncompromising quality in every bottle. The méthode champenoise, pioneered in the 17th century, remains the cornerstone of Champagne production. After a first fermentation, a second takes place in bottle, where sugar and yeast create the hallmark bubbles and fine mousse. Maturation on lees develops brioche, toast, and biscuit notes before disgorgement, and dosage refines the final style. Though imitated worldwide, nowhere matches Champagne for its purity and elegance. Situated northeast of Paris, Champagne is defined by its cool climate and chalk-rich soils. Here, three varieties dominate: Chardonnay brings freshness and precision; Pinot Noir contributes depth and structure; and Pinot Meunier adds fruit and charm. The vineyards are concentrated across Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, and Montagne de Reims, where over 15,000 growers and nearly 300 houses shape the region’s identity. Increasingly, grower-producers are crafting distinctive cuvées that showcase the character of their own vineyards. The Grandes Marques remain the most recognised ambassadors of Champagne worldwide. This group of leading houses - including names such as Bollinger, Pol Roger, Louis Roederer, and Veuve Clicquot - has set benchmarks for style, quality, and longevity. Their wines embody consistency, blending tradition with the ability to define the image of Champagne on a global stage. Champagne is far from uniform; its styles are as varied as the terroirs and techniques behind them. Non-Vintage: the most common style, blending multiple harvests for consistency. Vintage: crafted only in outstanding years, aged extensively for complexity. Rosé: made by blending still red wine into the cuvée or via the more complex saignée method. Prestige Cuvées: flagship wines such as Cristal, Dom Pérignon, and Grand Siècle. Sweetness levels: ranging from bone-dry Brut Nature to richer Demi-Sec. Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs: varietal expressions highlighting Chardonnay or the black grapes of Champagne.