Champagne (true Champagne) is sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France. It can be made from up to three distinct grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier (hey, two of those three grapes are red!). Let us explain further:

Blanc De Blancs - ("White of whites"), refers to Champagnes made using only the Chardonnay (white) grape.

Blanc De Noirs - ("White of blacks") refers to Champagnes made of red (or black) grapes, where the juice is squeezed from the grapes and fermented without skin contact (no skin contact means no color transfer). The wines can have a pale pink hue, however.

How sweet are those bubbles?

Brut: A general term used to designate a relatively dry-finished Champagne or sparkling wine, often the driest wine made by the producer.

Demi-sec: Although "demi-sec" means "half-dry," demi-sec sparkling wines are usually slightly sweet to medium sweet.

Extra-dry: A common Champagne term not to be taken literally. Champagnes so labeled are actually sweet!

Nonvintage: These Champagnes are blended from more than one vintage. This allows the vintner to keep a consistent "house style" from year to year.

Methode Champenoise: The labor-intensive and costly process whereby wine undergoes a secondary fermentation inside the bottle, creating bubbles. All Champagne and most high-quality sparkling wine is made by this process.

• Loridan Gasparini Venegazzu Montello Brut Prosecco (Sparkling wine, not Champagne)
  Lively, toasty and creamy with hints of hazelnut and candied fruits and a long, refreshing finish. The Brunch Wine.
• Roederer Estate Brut
  A delicious California sparkler with rich and toasty aromas up front, and a follow-up that features focused and complex lemon, grapefruit, herb, green apple and pear flavors. It's bright and clean on the finish, quite refreshing.

Three Classic Champagnes that show the broad range of Brut Champagnes:

• Taittinger Brut La Francaise NV
  Almost Riesling-like, this floral-scented bubbly is elegant and firmly structured, with a velvety texture framing citrus and pastry flavors. Turns crisp and dry on the finish.
• Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut NV
  You can't lose with this classy wine. The refined apple, grapefruit and dough aromas follow through on the palate. Creamy and lively on the finish.
• Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut NV
  Complex aromas and flavors of rose, grilled nuts, citrus and a gently oxidative note course through this muscular, full-bodied bubbly. Despite its power, there's a gracefulness. The aftertaste combines citrus and spice.

An extra-special favorite:

• Krug Grand Cuvee NV Brut
  One whiff and you know this is serious stuff. The aromas of baking brioche, coconut, candied citrus and leather pick up roasted coffee and grilled nuts on the palate, permeating the senses. Profound depth and complexity, offering a unique Champagne experience.