Sweetness Levels
There are seven sweetness levels for champagne. Brut is by far the most popular. There are three brut levels. There are also four sweeter than brut levels available for certain occasions or for those who prefer a sweeter taste. Both the French and corresponding English terms are provided. This report applies to champagne. Sparkling wine may vary.
- Brut Nature
- Extra Brut
- Brut
- Extra Sec (Extra Dry)
- Sec (Dry)
- Demi-Sec (Medium Dry)
- Doux (Sweet)
BRUT
Brut has no or very little detectable sweetness/sugar with less than 12 grams per liter of residual sugar. About 95% of champagne is brut. There are two sub-levels of brut (extra brut and brut nature). Their dosage is within the brut sugar range.
Go to our Ratings & Prices report to find brut ratings and prices.
Brut Nature
Brut nature (brut zero, non-dosage, ultra brut, brut sauvage) is bone dry with 0 to 2 grams per liter of residual sugar.
Extra Brut
Extra brut has no sweetness with 0 to 6 grams per liter of residual sugar.
SWEETER THAN BRUT
There are four sweetness levels that are sweeter than brut. Demi-sec is the most popular while doux (the sweetest) is almost non-existant. Extra sec and sec can be difficult to find.
A list of these sweeter champagne brands can be found in our Sweet Champagne report.
Extra Sec (Extra Dry)
Extra sec has some detectable sweetness/sugar with 12 to 17 grams per liter of residual sugar.
Sec (Dry)
Sec has noticeable sweetness/sugar with 17 to 32 grams per liter of residual sugar.
Demi-sec (Medium Dry)
Demi-sec is moderately sweet and not a true dessert wine. It has a dosage of 32 to 50 grams per liter of residual sugar.
Doux (Sweet)
Doux is very sweet (naturally soft in the mouth) with greater than 50 grams per liter of residual sugar. This style is rarely if ever produced commercially any more. |
