Can't find the words to describe champagne?

Do you struggle to find the right words to describe wine aromas? I know I do.

The pictures below, courtesy of the CIVC, may help. They show how champagne aromas develop with age ranging from 2 – 8 years.

Many champagnes can age for far longer than 8 years, provided they are stored in good conditions, but it’s always hard to know exactly how long to keep champagne.

Here’s a useful rule of thumb that I was given several years ago. It’s a bit simplistic, but if you use it you’re unlikely to go far wrong:

Keep champagne after purchase for as long as it was aged in the cellar before being sold –

i.e. 2-3 years for non-vintage champagne and up to 7-8 years for vintage champagne

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Pictures by the CIVC (Comité Champagne)