Demarville of Veuve Clicquot to experiment with super-sweet Champagne style

Veuve Clicquot chef de cave Dominique Demarville will look at an ultra-sweet Champagne this year as part of a personal experimental project.

The Demi-sec: currently Clicquot’s sweetest style

The wine could have around 100 grams per litre of residual sugar, Demarville told Decanter.com.

The Doux style – carrying more than 50g/l of residual sugar – is rare in the UK. Demi-sec, between 32 and 50g/l, is the sweetest style readily available.

Demarville said he would ‘start experimenting with the style this year. Sweeter wines for younger people is something we should explore.’

However, small-format bottles aimed at the 18-plus market were ‘not in line with our philosophy’, he said, adding that Veuve Clicquot stopped producing the Non-Vintage in 200ml bottles in 2007.

The most popular style of Champagne in the UK, according the the Champagne Bureau, is Brut (less than 12g/l residual sugar), accounting for more than 87% of sales.

UK importer Bibendum carries the Veuve Clicquot White Label Demi-sec, although the style is ‘incredibly niche,’ Champagne buyer Iain Muggoch said, and usually a ‘hand sell’. Veuve Clicquot also produces the Vintage Rich, with 28g/l residual sugar – classed as Sec.

Muggoch added, ‘We’re always open to any sort of experimentation with styles and new wines.’

Written by Adam Lechmere