FIND YOUR CHAMPAGNE CHARACTER!
Discover character champagnes at Champagne Characters
At Champagne Characters, we help you select the right champagne not only by grape variety or dosage, for example, but also by character. After all, when buying champagne, people are often not looking for analytical data, but rather a bottle that matches a feeling, a moment, or a mood.
That's why our grower champagnes are assigned different characters. Whether fine & elegant, warm-hearted & life-affirming, or sophisticated & ambitious: each champagne tells a story about its personality, making the selection easier. This personal touch is particularly noticeable in grower champagnes, i.e., champagnes from independent winemakers. With our character classification, you can discover special champagnes to suit the occasion, your taste, or your curiosity.
Because champagne should not only be understood, but above all enjoyed.
Diebolt-Vallois Fleur de Passion 2015
100% Chardonnay, Blanc de Blancs Sourced from 7-8 different sites, all cultivated with old slopeside vines (facing ESE). Especially from the Grand Cru site of Les Buzons (Cramant). Other parcels include: Pimonts, Goutte d’Or, Rouillées, Fourches and Gros Monts. The vines average between 40-60 years of age, although in some cases they are believed to be even older. Miniscule yields. Terroir: Thin soil layer over chalk parent rock. Vinification: Primary fermentation takes place in small, old Burgundy Barriques. The wine sees no malolactic fermentation, filtration or fining. Anything that could potentially stress the wine is avoided; this preserves and develops the maximal expression of terroir. Following primary fermentation, the wine is matured for one year in barrique. Dosage: 3g/l Fleur de Passion is a serious and traditional champagne inspired through the hard work of Jacques Diebolt (see Winemaker Profile). A rare jewel needing considerable time in the bottle in order to develop its full and stunning potential. Nicola OKT25 - Vintage 2015: Intense, beautiful nose; for the warm year 2015, this Fleur is currently wonderfully fresh and leans more towards the mineral side. Fine spice, nice length, currently not fully developed. Balanced, complex, compact body. If opened now, decant at least 1 hour before. Otherwise, ideally let it mature for at least another 6 months. It will reach perfection in about 2-3 years.Nicola FEB24 - Vintage 2013: Super generous with elegant delicacy and the lightly vibrating freshness of 2013, truly sings, buoyant, butter, brioche. Moritz FEB24 - Vintage 2013: WOW!!!...There's so much going on that I find it hard to put the drinking experience into words. Everything is very calm and harmonizes perfectly with each other. Aromas of white chocolate, raspberry, roasted almond, butter brioche, salted lemon, and salted caramel waft towards you very subtly. The palate is round, full-bodied yet still very fine and elegant. The entire range of aromas is also found on the palate and is supported by a light saltiness. After 10 years, the Fleur de Passion is still super fresh...Yes, almost youthful in the glass. The finish seems endless. The taste after swallowing (excuse me, but one simply cannot spit out this champagne) just doesn't want to end. Truly grand champagne cinema. Tasting Andreas Langre - Vintage 2013: Fleur de Passion is one of few series of which I´ve had the privileged to try from first to last. The 1995 & 1996 was amazing and if I had to choose just one bottle from both years to fill up the cellar, it could possibly be FdP. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a vertical 1995-2008 and since then unashamed indulged in several 2010 & 2012 as well as the last 1996:s and various vintages. The 2013 is very longed for and descending the nose in the glass immediately puts a smile of relief and pleasure on my lips. Relief because this is a true-to-vintage masterpiece, sporting that emblematic dusty minerality I always yearn for in this kind of wine. Though recently released, the 2013 opens more eagerly than the 2012 sibling and is already flexing the butter smeared, fleshy fruit loins. Vanilla sprinkled juicy apples, ananas & sticky cape gooseberry. Then delicious, perfectly ripe mango, served in oyster shells. The developed glass gives a preview of what´s to come for this one within just a few years: Dark chocolate, liquored cherries, cacao (this is the oak speaking), preserved fruits, white flowers, & leather. Outstanding! The mouth is divine as well! Dangerously drinkable already, lush & juicy with abundant minerality & stunning, salivating acidity. Quite complex, with great intensity and impressive length. This wine will perform perfectly for decades but is enjoyable today as well. Accessible and in every aspect – stunning! Tasting FEB20 - Vintage 2010: Very charming release, slightly lighter, not as much body as e.g. 2008, currently of course still too young, ultra-beautiful, nutty finish, extremely long, acidity well integrated. Tasting FEB19 - Vintage 2010: Currently still young, rather less acid, flowery, extremely long finish, creamy, round, balance Tasting FEB19 - Vintage 2007: Isabelle Diebolt: "Fleur 07 is like a black Chanel dress, reduced elegance" We could fully subscribe to this. Ratings: Vinum magazine: Dec. 2011: 19 /20 (2002) Gerhard Eichelmann: ***** (2004) - ***** (2005) Decanter: ***** (vintage 2002) GaultMillau Wine Guide: 18½ (2005) - 19 (2004) - 19 /20 (2002) Richard Juhlin - 8,000 Champagnes: 96 pts (2008) - 93 pts (2005) - 93 pts (2004) - 95 pts (2002) - 92 pts (2000) - 94 pts (1999) - 95 pts (1998)- 95 pts (1996) Wine Spectator: 93 pts (2005) Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar: 93 pts (1998) - 92 pts (1999) - 93 pts (2005) Sommeliers International: Wonderful moment of happiness (2006) Guide Revue du Vin de France: 18½ (2002) - 16 (2006) - 16½ /20 (2007) - 18 (2008)
Content: 0.75 Liter (€185.33 / 1 Liter)
La Parcelle La Parcelle 2019 MAGNUM
100% Pinot Meunier Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts Without malolactic fermentation Without filtration or fining Gentle battonage (regular stirring) to the rhythm of the lunar calendar Aged for 10 months in oak barrels Dosage: 0g/l
Content: 1.5 Liter (€93.33 / 1 Liter)
Eric Rodez Cuvée de Crayères MAGNUM - Bio
60% Pinot Noir, 40% ChardonnayDosage: 2g/lBlended with 12 diverse base wines from 4 vintages 45-50% Reserve wine (20-25% vinified in small barrel) Terroirs: Terroir d'Ambonnay: Les Bermonts, Le Moulin, Les cheminots, Les Grandes Ruelles, Le Noyer saint pys, les secs, Les Fournettes, La pierre aux larrons, Les agusons, Les Beurys.... Average age of the vines: 30 Years Vinification: 70% in enamel tank, 30% in old barrel, 75% with malolactic fermentation, matured for up to 7 years on the lees Domaine's entry level champagne, one that nonetheless displays a challenging complexity. Crisp & fruity (primarily apple) and nuanced. Tasting JUL21: very complex release, very nutty, very layered, browned apple, slight ripeness, cool, great depth (Eric's language for minerality, chalk contact of vines, mouthfeel).
Content: 1.5 Liter (€95.33 / 1 Liter)
Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru V.P. Extra Brut
70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay Dosage: 1-3 g/l Primarily Ambonnay, very old vines, Vieillissement Prolongé “, i.e. extended maturation with 84 months of lees Peter Liem: Long lees aging is an important component of Egly’s winemaking, and this is particularly evident in the V.P. Extra Brut, composed of 70 percent pinot noir and 30 percent chardonnay. V.P. stands for Vieillissement Prolongé, or extended aging, and this cuvée typically spends five to six years in the cellar before release, resulting in a wine of rich complexity and refinement.
Content: 0.75 Liter (€192.00 / 1 Liter)
Fleury Variation 2018 - Bio
100% Pinot GrisDosage 0g/lMatured in stainless steelBottle ageing: At least 5 yearsBottle ageing under cork, unfined, unfiltered and unsulphurisedTilman FEB25: Flavour of shortcrust pastry and apple. Full, but very good & balanced. Still singing!
Content: 0.75 Liter (€192.00 / 1 Liter)
Fleury Boléro 2018 - Bio
100% Pinot NoirDosage 0g/lFrom the parcels Charme de Fin, Côte de Champraux, Meam Bauché, MontégnéMatured in stainless steel and woodBottle ageing: At least 6 yearsBottle ageing under cork, unfined, unfiltered and unsulphurised
Content: 0.75 Liter (€192.00 / 1 Liter)
Fleury Robert Fleury 2013 Brut Nature - Bio
49% Pinot Noir, 22% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Gris, 9% Pinot BlancDosage 0g/lMatured in 228 litre oak barrelsBottle ageing: At least 6 yearsBottle ageing under cork, unfined and unfilteredCuvée named after Robert Fleury, who produced the Domaine's first Champagne in 1929.
Content: 0.75 Liter (€192.00 / 1 Liter)
Dosnon Récolte Blanche MAGNUM
100% ChardonnayDosage 5g/lMaturation in barriqueBottle ageing: 3 yearsNicola OKT23: Rich, opulent, almost lavish, really beautiful!Nicola FEB23: Extremely Burgundian, like a white Burgundy with perlage, wood influence clear but well integrated. Strong, special character, fresh.ANDREAS DEZ22: Clearly perceptible and very appetising aroma of freshly planed oak, not toasty and coconutty but creamy and fine, turmeric, mace blossom, refreshing acidity as a counterbalance to the full-bodied structure, pleasantly unagitated perlage, as always very distinctive and bold, a great food companion.
Content: 1.5 Liter (€96.67 / 1 Liter)
Doyard Révolution MAGNUM
100% ChardonnayDosage 0g/lAged in stainless steel and 50% barriqueBottle ageing: 6 years20% malolactic fermentation, blend of three vintagesNicola FEB25: Precise, elegant with beautiful honey notes & grip, great finish. Very balanced, mild acidity.Nicola FEB22: Révolution is delicate and intense at the same time, with notes of biscuit and orange zest, fine spice and white nougat providing a great taste experience. The finest bubbles, lots of tension and presence on the palate lead to an extremely long finish.Nicola FEB20: Incredibly delicate yet generous aromatics, spiciness, presence, density, extremely long, not too sparse, honey, chocolate, very fine perlage, creaminess, a real taste sensation.
Content: 1.5 Liter (€97.67 / 1 Liter)
Grumier Les Plates Pierres 2015 MAGNUM
65% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot NoirDosage 3g/lFrom the single vineyard Les Plates Pierres in VenteuilAged in stainless steel and wooden barrelsBottle ageing: At least 5 yearsLukas FEB23: Spicy floral notes dominate the nose, underpinned by subtle red fruit. Full-bodied on the palate, with juicy peach and apple aromas in the foreground, backed by subtle hints of red fruit. Very nicely integrated acidity and a long finish.
Content: 1.5 Liter (€98.00 / 1 Liter)
Marie Courtin Efflorescence 2019 MAGNUM - Bio
100% Pinot Noir Dosage: Extra Brut Barrel fermentation, followed by maturation in barrique for 9-10 months. Bottled in spring. The fruit comes from the same site as Resonance and thus shows the same distinctive terroir and minerality. The difference between the two Champagnes thus lies primarily in the barrel influence. When all runs well, oak provides well-made Champagne with a more complex and nuanced character. Rather than standing in the spotlight, the barrel here supports from the wings. It stabilizes and smooths the individual components into a stunning and balanced whole.
Content: 1.5 Liter (€98.00 / 1 Liter)
Doyard Coteaux (Still Wine) Champenois Blanc "En Vieux Fombrés" 2019 MAGNUM
Still wine - Coteaux Champenois100% ChardonnayFrom the single vineyard Vieux Fombrés in Le Mesnil sur OgerAged in Burgundy barriquesNicola AUG25 (about vintage 2017): Very slender and elegant, delicately fruity, enveloped in noticeable wood, straightforward. Quite close to the flavour profile of a champagne, only without the bubbles.Janne AUG25 (about vintage 2017): Beautiful notes of brioche and almond on the nose, slightly lighter on the palate. Enveloped in an invigorating acidity.Denise AUG25 (about vintage 2017): Light, elegant fruitiness. Champagne flavour without bubbles. A rather ‘slim’ Coteaux.
Content: 1.5 Liter (€99.33 / 1 Liter)
J-M Sélèque Quintette MAGNUM
100% Chardonnay from 5 Terroirs: Vertus 1er Cru - La Justice planted in 1950 Dizy 1er Cru - Moque-bouteille planted in1985 Epernay - Les Frileux planted in 1959 Mardeuil - Les Basses Ronces planted in 1982 Pierry 1er Cru - Les Tartières & Les Porgeons planted in 1990 and 1985 SOILS: Silty clay, flint clay, chalky subsoil VINIFICATION: Oak barrels & Stainless steel tank, without fining or filtration AGING: 3 years (75CL) • 5 years (1,5L) DOSAGE: 2 g/l PRODUCTION : 5040 bottles and 70 magnums JM Seleque: "5 Terroirs for a full expression of the Chardonnay, identitary and racy." Nicola FEB24: Wow, an outstanding release, taut with great maturity underneath, mineral, salty, slightly matured, superb. Moritz FEB24: Very profound nose. A harmony of: mint, lemongrass, salted lemon, grassy (green-spicy) notes. The palate is very balanced, with a very tight, gripping acidity. In the endless finish, there's a very subtle smokiness, which gives the champagne even more character and tension. A very strong release! Lukas FEB23: On the nose ripe yellow fruit and yellow peach. In the mouth juicy and full-bodied, with apple, pear and peach notes. The acidity binds very nicely and makes for great drinking joy.
Content: 1.5 Liter (€99.33 / 1 Liter)
Fleury 4 Cepages 2014 - Bio
58% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 12% Pinot Blanc & 5% Pinot GrisDosage 0g/lMatured in stainless steelBottle ageing: 7 yearsUnfined, unfiltered and unsulphurised
Content: 0.75 Liter (€198.67 / 1 Liter)
Lointier Negra 2022 Blanc de Noirs MAGNUM
100% Pinot NoirDosage: 1.5g/lVery low sulphurMatured in oak for 11 monthsNo MaloWithout fining or filtration22 months bottle agingNicola OCT24: Significantly more red-fruity than the other cuvées, juicy, red apple, powerful, lively, slightly tart with a very long finish.Tilman OCT24: Unusually spicy for Pinot Champagne, but goes wonderfully well with the red fruitiness. Vibrant structure, great liveliness. Really enjoyable now six months after disgorgement!Fabio OCT24: Juicy, red apple, but also slightly cherry, wonderful structure, great balance. This is pure drinking pleasure with complexity!Nicola MAI24: Vinous, aromatic, dark red to blue fruit, blackberry, juicy, exciting effervescence (funky), also somewhat dark-earthy, expressive, will increase in tension and body over the next few months, as it will not be disgorged until March.
Content: 1.5 Liter (€99.33 / 1 Liter)
Vauversin Rossignol 2018 MAGNUM - Bio
100% Chardonnay Dosage: 0g/l 5 years of bottle maturity Old vines (60 years) Single vineyard "Rossignol" All champagnes have been vinified with indigenous yeasts and with no filtration. They are low in sulfite (less than 35mg/l). Riddling by hand. Tasting JUL19: More power, more acid, a little tannins, very long, again the ethereal, structure, finesse. Almost a bit young at the moment. Tasting FEB20: Burgundian, straightforward, very complex, austerity and still character, salty, Unami, nice nutty finish, 4 years in bottle, a lot of pressure on the palate not strict. Tasting JUL21: very nice aromatic fine nose, tight, dratig, straight, light creaminess, light caramel note, very long finish, not too strict.
Content: 1.5 Liter (€99.33 / 1 Liter)
André Heucq H60 - Bio
100% Meunier Malolaktic fermentation Aging in inoxtanks 6 years bottle aging + 12 months aging under the sea at 60m depthFurther information: Heucq H60 Dosage: 0g/l
Content: 0.75 Liter (€201.33 / 1 Liter)
Pierre Moncuit Millésime 2014 Extra Brut MAGNUM
100% Chardonnay, Grand Cru About 10 years bottle aging Dosage: 3g/l Tasting Nicola FEB23 (vintage 2012): Straightforward with creamy generosity, fresh with hints of brioche (will intensify with increasing maturity), very fine, elegant and at the same time powerful and extremely harmonious, balanced. Strong, already gives a lot of pleasure. No wonder it has matured for about 10 years and comes from one of the most sought-after Grand Cru locations in Champagne: le Mesnil sur Oger. Nicola OCT23 (vintage 2012): Now opens up slowly and gets the beautifully ripe, nutty flavor. Very profound, rich in finesse, elegant, long nutty finish, great combination with the freshness of 2012.
Content: 1.5 Liter (€102.00 / 1 Liter)
Doyard Coteaux (Still Wine) Champenois Blanc Vertus 2020 MAGNUM
Still wine - Coteaux Champenois100% ChardonnayFrom Vertus Aged in wooden barrelsNicola FEB25: Very well made, balanced, relatively prominent expression of wood but well integrated, aromatic and creamy.
Content: 1.5 Liter (€102.67 / 1 Liter)
Eric Rodez Macération Rosé MAGNUM
30% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay vinified as white wine, 46% Pinot Noir vinified as maceration Dosage: 3g/l Average age of the vines: 33 Years Vinification: 80% in wood 40% malolactic fermentation, 60% without 4 years bottle aging Dosage: 3g/l Full-bodied, vinous, food friendly! Nicola FEB24: Ultra-complex, vibrant fruit, very strong energy, such lightness and finesse, there's hardly a better rosé out there. Moritz FEB24: Complex and radiant. Cooked strawberry, strawberry leaf, and earthy umami notes offer an extremely diverse taste experience. The acidity almost dances across the tongue with a lightness that is invigorating. The finish seems endless. A rosé champagne for those who have dismissed rosé as trivial and are open to being pleasantly surprised.
Content: 1.5 Liter (€102.67 / 1 Liter)
Eric Rodez Coteaux Champenois Rouge (Still Wine) Les Bouités 2018 - Bio
100% Pinot Noir Single Vineyard "Les Bouités" in Ambonnay Still wine - not champagneAged for 24 months in small wooden barrelsNo filtration
Content: 0.75 Liter (€206.67 / 1 Liter)
Vilmart Blanc de Blancs Les Blanches Voies 2011
100% Chardonnay From single vineyard "Les Blanches Voies Hautes" in Rilly-la-Montage (1er Cru) Age of vines: Up to 55 years, "selection massale" Malo: No 10 Moth aging in 228 liter barrel 84 Month aging on the lees Dosage: 4g/l BEWERTUNGEN: ANTONIO GALLONI: 96 "The 2009 Blanc de Blancs Les Blanches Voies is every bit as stunning as it was last year. The combination of the warm year and the natural richness conferred by these 70+- year-old vines yields a powerful, vinous Champagne with tremendous character, depth and the pedigree to drink well for many years. Laurent Champs gave the Blanc de Blancs 7 years on the cork, as opposed to the 6 that are customary for the Coeur de Cuvée. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: March, 2017." THE WINEADVOCATE: 96+ "A thrilling new cuvée from Vilmart launches with the 2009 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs, a special bottling produced from lieu-dit Les Blanches Voies that was fermented and matured in 228-liter barrels from Damy for ten months before spending fully 48 months sur lattes. It was disgorged in March 2017 with four grams per liter dosage. In other words, this derives from the same source as the Coeur du Cuvée and sees an additional year on yeasts and a touch less dosage. Opening in the glass with notes of lemon oil, wet stones, warm biscuits and English walnuts, it's full-bodied, racy and searingly concentrated, with a tight-knit, chiseled core, terrific acidity and a long, chalky finish. Only 2,900 bottles were produced, and it's worth every effort to secure one or two."
Content: 0.75 Liter (€206.67 / 1 Liter)
Larmandier-Bernier Vieilles Vignes du Levant 2013 - Bio
100% Chardonnay Dosage: 2g/l Our old vines in Cramant face south-east and are blessed with an exceptional terroir. They are aged between 48 and over 75 years old. Their deep root system and the diversity of the old stocks contribute to the complexity of the wine. Since we created this cuvée in 1988, we have been explaining the difference between « Cramant » and « Crémant ». In order to avoid this confusion, we have decided to change the name : Vieille Vigne de Cramant becomes Vieille Vigne du Levant! Indeed, Vieille Vigne de Cramant’s parcel is called « Bourron du Levant » and Levant means the East, the first sun rays in the morning. In Cramant, the Levant is very different from the vines located on the other side of the hill, West facing. The East-facing vines give particularly rich and powerful grapes, this is quite a magic place. Vinification: The natural alcoholic fermentation (natural yeast) and the malolactic fermentation begin spontaneously in our casks and our wooden vats. The wines are left on their natural lees for nearly a year and undergo gentle bâtonnages, but no filtering or fining. If the year merits it, this cuvée will be bottled in July as a vintage. No need to blend, this is a single vineyard. Then the bottles are then taken down into the coolness of our cellars, where the second fermentation and the maturation 'on laths' quietly take place over a period of a minimum of 5 years. Each bottle is disgorged manually 6 months before being marketed. Tasting & Rankings Robert Parker/Wine Advocate SEP2020 - 2011 Larmandier-Bernier Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant: I'm increasingly convinced that Pierre Larmandier produced Champagne's wines of the vintage this year, and the 2011 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant only compounds that suspicion. Unfurling in the glass with a deep and complex nose of citrus zest, crisp yellow apples, smoke, warm bread, mandarin oil and oyster shell, it's full-bodied and fleshy but incisive, with huge concentration, bright acids and a long, intensely saline finish. Totally transcending the reputation of 2011, it has many of the textural properties of a great white Burgundy, married with the cut and chalky grip of Champagne's Côte de Blancs
Content: 0.75 Liter (€206.67 / 1 Liter)
Eric Rodez (Stillwein) Coteaux Champenois Rouge Les Hauts Tourets 2019 - Bio
Still wine - Coteaux Champenois100% Pinot NoirFrom the single vineyard Les Hauts Tourets in AmbonnayAged in wooden barrels for 24 monthsNo filtrationNicola AUG25: Super subtle and delicate, multi-layered like a millefeuille, dancing aromas, will surely become even more beautiful and concentrated with time, needs to be discovered and explored, for a long philosophical evening!Janne AUG25: Very exciting – slightly smoky notes, present tannins. Very complex and long. Plays more in the background than in firt row, but all the more beautiful for it. Fruit, spice, tension. Develops its aromas beautifully when exposed to air.Denise AUG25: Complex but delicate, as one would expect from Rodez. A Coteaux that is in no way inferior to a Burgundy.
Content: 0.75 Liter (€206.67 / 1 Liter)