Wine and champagne guides
The Hachette Guide: over 11,000 champagnes tasted
More than 11,000 champagnes are blind-tasted and rated by this guide, one of the industry's benchmarks. A quarter of this number is then selected by the guide. The wines and champagnes are then rated from 0 to 3 stars. These ratings are based on the experience of tasters (winemakers, oenologists, wine merchants). Only a small proportion of these 1,000 champagnes will become "coup de coeur" (660) and earn the coveted 3 stars (337).
The champagnes that have the honor of having these 3 stars have their title in red (on the 2019 edition). Expect to pay around 30 euros for this 1280-page guide, the 2020 edition of which has been available since September 4, 2019.
The Bettane et Desseauve Guide: 1,500 champagnes listed
The Guide is named after its two creators, Michel Bettane (renowned wine critic) and Thierry Desseauve (former editor-in-chief of the Revue des Vins de France). The latter readily admits that he couldn't live without champagne. Since 2005, the two friends and their team of experts have been offering a comprehensive guide.
The guide features a number of rankings (best value for money, wines to keep, best estate...), allowing consumers to quickly read through the book. Tasters Bettane et Desseauve also offer a digital version of their guide. It lists over 120,000 wines and 8,000 producers. It's called GRAND TASTING and is available on App Store and Android.
If you would like to purchase the 2020 edition in paper format, please allow 25 euros for this 960-page guide.
Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
The Guide des meilleurs vins de France, also known as the green guide (given the color of its cover), is a benchmark. In this guide, independent experts rate the wines. In this 2020 edition, the spotlight is on organic wines and champagnes.
Also noteworthy in the 2020 edition are 3 champagne houses that have progressed and now have a star on the guide. These are Maison Laherte Frères. According to the green guide's testers, "we are delighted with the wines presented this year". The second house to stand out is Maison Alfred Gratien, founded in Épernay in 1864, which"earns a well-deserved star". Last but not least, Pierre Gimonnet et Fils, whose"coherent and consistent range has led us to award the first star to this family-run estate", has made great strides.
In addition to the award list, the guide provides all the information you need to enjoy your wine experience, including contact details, practical information, indicative prices and even a selection of good addresses close to the vineyards. The 2020 edition is available for 28 euros and comprises 800 pages.
Specialist Champagne guides
The Gault et Millau guide: 1,760 selected champagnes
This dedicated champagne guide lists and tests 400 champagne houses and 1,760 champagnes. Their beverages are tasted regardless of the size or reputation of the house. So, from independent winemakers to major houses, everyone can be found on the test bench, and we particularly appreciate the recommendations for food and wine pairings. The perfect way to extend your champagne tasting experience...
This guide is usually published in December. We'll have to wait a little longer for the 2020 edition. An application is also available, but only on Iphone. For information, the 2019 edition of 552 pages is priced at 19 euros.
The Veron guide
This guide has a very specific concept. Here, champagnes are not rated. Only 70 champagnes have been selected for the 2020 edition. The latter will be available in October 2019 at a price of 30 euros.
Created in 2010 by Michel Veron, oenologist and oenology teacher at the Lycée Viticole de la Champagne since 1991, this guide was born of his passion for champagne.
With the start of the new academic year in 2019, you're all set to choose your champagne with these guides, from the best-known to the most confidential and specialized. And if you ever need advice on how to choose your champagne, we're here to help you with this blog and our website, which has specialized in champagne sales since 2004. We'll be happy to guide you :-)
