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

Veuve Clicquot chef de cave Dominique Demarville will start experimenting with an ultra-sweet Champagne this year.

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.’

But he stressed it would not be aimed at the ‘alcopop’ market – sweeter drinks in small-format bottles.

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.’