Champagnes are often associated with luxury and elegance, evoking images of clear glass bottles filled with fine bubbles. But there are times when such images take on a seductive twist: the presence of a black bottle.
While most sparkling wines come in classic green or clear glass bottles, a few Champagne brands have opted to go with black bottles.
Champagnes such as Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava, Nicolas Feuillatte Palme’s d’Or Rose 2008, and Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2012 are just a few. And they all exude refinement.
In this article, we’ll delve into the world of bubbly and explore its different notes, textures, and aromas. We’ll also learn how each wine tastes and feels on the palate.
What Is Champagne in a Black Bottle?
Black bottles have been traditionally used to limit the exposure of Champagne to light. Any excessive exposure to light (or goût de lumière as the French call it), whether it’s incandescent light or UV light, can cause the Champagne to oxidize, impacting the taste, aroma, and color that the winemakers initially intended.
A wine that’s not properly bottled and stored will eventually taste sour, Now that’s a waste of months or even years spent on maturity. Dark bottles provide better protection and preserve the wine’s overall quality.
Apart from that, Champagne in black bottles is often deemed to be a hallmark of prestige cuvées and limited edition wines. Dark bottles are often used to give Champagnes that high-end feel.
That said, when a wine is labeled as “black Champagne,” this means that they are made of mostly the highest quality dark grapes from the Champagne region. While Champagne is traditionally a blend of three grape varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, this is not always the case.
Blanc de Noirs, for example, is made entirely from a meticulous selection of Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier grape varieties.
So, how are they made with black-skinned grapes but clear and sparkly?
Upon pressing, the winemaker separates the juice from the skin of the dark grapes. As a result, the clear grape juice ferments on its own, creating white sparkling wine. However, any red coloration in the Champagne is a result of crushing and soaking the grapes with their skin. The dark colors of the grape skin tint the juice.
That said, it might be hard to tell the specific characteristics of a Blanc de Noirs from their bottles. One of its defining features, however, is more intense red fruity notes.
Champagne Known for Black Bottle
There is a large market for Champagne brands that come in a black bottle, but only a few have gained a reputation for both their design and the wine’s overall quality. Below are our favorites so far:
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava Sparkling Wine
Also known as the “Black Bottle Bubbly,” the Freixenet (pronounced as “fresh-eh-net”) Cordon Negro Brut is presented in a matte black bottle with a gold accent. This wine has an undeniably strong presence. It offers a crisp, creamy, and well-balanced texture that is perfect for any special occasion.
It is crafted using Cava, a Spanish traditional method of making sparkling wine. And since 1861, the winery has been producing such exquisite bubbly. The Cordon Negro Brut is all brut Champagne and comes in dry and medium dry, which are also all crisp and clean.
It’s delicate and gives off tiny Champagne bubbles and lasting aromas of light and refreshing citrus. The wine introduces a refreshing palate of ripe pear, apple, fruity flavor, and a hint of ginger. It’s a versatile choice that goes well with lots of different foods.
2008 Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d’Or Rose Intense
If bold and elegance were a bottle, it would be the 2008 Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d’Or Rose Intense. The black bottle of this vintage wine is unique with striking perforations. The copper pink capsule is a reflection of the bright color of the wine, with traces of magnificent cherry-ruby glints that are a hallmark of rosé de saignée.
It is a smooth, well-balanced vintage wine with aromas that intensify as they develop. The aromatics are so intense that they highlight the blend’s unique character and harmony.
The Palmes d’Or expresses subtle, powerful, and seductive fruity aromas of wild cherry and blueberry, as well as Bigarreau cherries and blackcurrant, and blood orange, and dried fruit that compliment freshly baked pastries. On the palate, it’s smooth and velvety.
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2012
Maison Veuve Clicquot is a prominent figure in the Champagne industry and pioneered several innovative winemaking techniques such as riddling. In that riddling process, their limited edition La Grande Dame 2012 is bottled in a sleek black bottle with a vibrant design by iconic Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
The vintage wine exudes energy. It is rich with Pinot Noir dominating the blend—all thanks to the wine’s brilliant, mouthwatering acidity as well. The intense minerality of Pinot Noir balances with the freshness of the blend.
La Grande Dame 2012 boasts white floral aromatics and has a wonderful silky finish. It also has some notes of fresh almonds and frangipane. The cuvée introduces more complex aromas of dried apricot, hazelnuts, honey, and sugar candy.
FAQ
Is Cordon Negro Champagne?
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava is a crisp, well-balanced sparkling wine. It has fresh notes of apple, ripe pear, and bright citrus flavors. With a silky finish and inviting hints of ginger, it’s a perfect wine to combine with just about anything.
Grab A Bottle!
Black bottled wines do more than just for adding a mysterious and striking statement, they also help preserve the overall flavors of your wine.
With different Champagne brands out there, the Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava is a Champagne known for its black bottle. Its dark, elegant black bottle separates it from the rest. This vintage wine is a perfect choice for people looking for a unique and visually appealing Champagne. Plus, it pairs well with almost anything.
You can explore our selection to find the perfect wine for your taste and budget. Cheers!
