What does the word “champagne” mean?
The etymology of the word “champagne” goes back to the medieval latin “campania” which means “champagne”, referring to the geographical region in north-eastern France where the sparkling wine is produced. The term itself is derived from the latin word “campus” which means “field” or “plain”.
The world-famous sparkling wine from Champagne is produced from grapes grown in this specific area. The name “champagne” has thus become synonymous with this high-quality sparkling wine, which is made by specific methods of fermentation and aging, known as the “méthode champenoise”.
In the beginning…
The history of Champagne can be traced back to the eponymous region of Champagne, situated in north-eastern France. The Romans planted the first vineyards in this region as early as the 5th century, but it wasn’t until the 17th century that the sparkling champagne that we know was created.
Champagne’s fame was propelled by Dom Pérignon, a 17th century Benedictine who played an essential role in the improvement of the quality of Champagne wine and in the mastering of fermentation in the bottle. In the 19th century, champagne gained in popularity among European nobility and bourgeoisie, becoming the symbol of luxury and festivity.
Production of champagne then became industrialized, and champagne houses were founded, some of which are still famous today. Today, champagne is synonymous with celebration, used to mark special occasions in the whole world. Protected by AOC (Protected Designation of Origin), champagne is made according to strict rules, with a defined method of production, la méthode champenoise, which guarantees its quality and authenticity.
Champagne Production
The champagne growing method is specific to the Champagne region in France and is governed by strict rules to guarantee the quality and authenticity of this prestigious sparkling wine. Here are the main stages in the champagne cultivation process:
• Terroir: The Champagne region has a unique terroir composed of limestone and clay-limestone, benefiting from a cool and temperate climate, ideal for growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes, the three grape varieties authorized in the region.
• Pruning: The vines are pruned every year to regulate their growth and optimize the production of quality grapes.
• Harvesting: The grape harvesting is done by hand to preserve the integrity of the bunches of grapes and to select the best berries.
• Vinification: The grapes are then pressed to extract the juice used to produce the base wine. The different grape varieties can be vinified separately.
• Fermentation: The base wine undergoes an initial fermentation in vats to transform it into still wine.
• Blending: The wines from different grape varieties and plots are blended by the cellar masted to create the final “cuvée”, representative of the champagne house’s style.
• The prise de mousse (second fermentation): The wine is put in bottles with the addition of a liqueur de tirage (a mixture of sugar and yeast) to induce a second fermentation in the bottle, thus creating the characteristic champagne bubbles.
• Aging: Bottles are stored on laths (in a horizontal position) for a period of aging on the lees, which can last several years for vintage champagnes.
• Disgorging: After aging, the lees are removed by disgorging and a liqueur d’expédition (a mix of wine and sugar) is added to define the level of sweetness of the final champagne
• Corking: Bottles are corked with a cork to maintain bubble pressure.
The different types of champagne
When it comes to champagne, we don’t generally speak of types, but rather of different varieties of champagne, which are distinguished by their characteristics and methods of production. Here are the main types of champagne:
• Champagne Brut: This is the most common type of champagne, with a low sugar content, giving it a dry and fresh taste.
• Champagne Extra Brut: Even drier than brut, extra brut contains a minimal amount of residual sugar.
• Champagne Demi-Sec: Unlike brut, demi-sec champagne is slightly sweeter, with a higher residual sugar content.
• Champagne Rosé: This champagne is made by blending white and red wines, which gives it a pinkish tint and fruity aromas.
• Champagne Blanc de Blancs: This champagne is made exclusively from white grapes, generally the Chardonnay grape variety, offering delicate and floral flavors.
• Champagne Blanc de Noirs: This champagne is made from black grapes, generally Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier, but the color of the juice is white because the skins of the black grapes are not used.
• Champagne Millésimé: Also called “vintage champagne”, it comes from a single year of exceptional harvest and is aged for longer before being put on sale.
What do you know about champagne in perfumery ?
Obtaining a champagne note in fragrances is quite different from simply using sparkling wine as an ingredient. In reality, champagne as an alcoholic beverage is not directly used in the creation of perfumes.
However, the olfactory note of champagne, evoking fruity freshness and effervescence, can be recreated in perfumery by using specific ingredients within the fragrances.
Perfumes use a complex blend of synthetic and natural ingredients to create accords which mimic the aromas of champagne.
Ingredients such as aldehydes (chemical molecules used to create a sensation of effervescence), fruity notes, floral, and powdery or musky notes are often used in fragrance to evoke the light, festive feel of champagne. An important note for recreating the scent of champagne in perfume is lie de vin essence. This natural ingredient is obtained from the residues of winemaking and releases a very specific, fruity, butyric, woody, and sparkling scent.
It is very powerful and should be used in very small quantities to avoid bringing a sickly-sweet facet.
Champagne notes in perfume are most often combined with:
Citrus notes such as lemon, bergamot, or grapefruit.
Fruits such as apple, pear and peach add a fruity touch.
Delicate flowers such as jasmine, rose or magnolia.
Aldehydes, musky, powdery or woody notes to create a balance with the sparkling notes of champagne.
Mythical perfumes with champagne
• Yves Saint Laurent’s Yvresse eau de toilette had an eventful launch. Originally, the perfume was meant to be called Champagne d’Yves Saint Laurent but the champagne producers took legal action against the perfume house. As champagne is an AOC (protected designation of origin), the name was thus replaced by Yvresse. According to the Saint-Laurent house, this perfume gets the intoxication of champagne by combining peach with woody patchouli notes.
• The eau de parfum Remarklable People by d’État libre d’Orange combines champagne with spicy notes and citrus to prolong its sparkling facets. Sandalwood at the base softens the fragrance and offers a rounded aroma to the perfume.
• Marc Jacobs’s Divine Decadence eau de parfum is an amber floral fragrance featuring a champagne accord combined with white flowers, spices, citrus and vanilla notes. The sparkling note of champagne and the roundness of the balsam notes offer a unique contrast to the fragrance!
Bon Parfumeur does not offer eaux de parfum with the champagne accord. However, 4 eaux de parfum from the house do feature spirit accords.
• Eau de parfum 904 for men and women with its vodka and gin accord, will take you straight to a social gathering, cigar in hand! A cocktail of vodka, citrus fruit, peppermint, and juniper. A smoky base where the union of tobacco with patchouli and vetiver makes the fragrance oscillate between damp and dry wood.
• Eau de parfum 902 plunges you into a victorious poker game, accompanied by a glass of Armagnac in front of an open fire. A whirlwind of warm spices mixed with the freshness of ginger and orange. Armagnac blends into the spices. The geranium subtly blooms in the fragrance. A contrasting base with light dry tobacco and round vanilla.
• Eau de parfum 004 and its freshness evokes a summer cocktail with gin and citrus. This cologne has been interpreted as an eau de parfum to give it persistence and diffusion while retaining the freshness of an eau de cologne. A zesty top with a trio of citrus fruits. An aromatic and spicy heart with a note of gin. Ginger and nutmeg gradually lead us towards the damp, woody, and earthy notes of tobacco and patchouli. Musk softens and lightens the harsh base notes.
