Montaudon Champagne Brut 75cl

Product Information

Vintage champagne, on the other hand, is made using grapes harvested from a single year, which will be displayed on the label.

Helen McGinn – Author, drinks writer, TV presenter and co-chair of the International Wine Challenge NV stands for non-vintage champagne. It is essentially a 'house' blend made using grapes harvested in different years to an established overall taste profile.

Don’t serve it straight from the fridge Unless you prefer your champagne really cold, take the bottle out of the fridge 10 minutes before serving – the taste and aroma will be stunted if it's too cold. Non-vintage champagne can last unopened for three to four years, while vintage champagne (from a single year's harvest) can be kept for as long as 10 years. Some people will prefer to store it for a while before opening to allow it to age.

Consider sweetness Dry champagne is easier to match with food. Sweeter wine such as prosecco is best served without food. Pair with vegetarian food Champagne tends to work better with vegetarian dishes, as opposed to heavier meat options. We asked a panel of independent wine experts to blind-taste a selection of champagnes to uncover the best supermarket bubbly. Plan ahead Put your champagne in the fridge for at least two hours before you plan to serve it. If you’re chilling lots of bottles at once, or have a very full fridge, you’ll need longer. Follow our tips for chilling your champagne to serve it at the right temperature and you'll be rewarded with the best of the flavour – and your bubbly won't end up all over the floor:If you like it hot, serve with spice Fizz accentuates chilli, so a glass of champagne pairs well with hot, spicy dishes. Fail to chill your champagne properly and you'll end up with fizz flying everywhere. Our experts warned that a warm bottle is a recipe for an explosive opening. Serve with cheese Champagne pairs well with most types of cheese, particularly creamier cheeses. Champagne and comté is a classic pairing.