When you browse for sparkling wines, you’ll often come across words on the lable like Brut, Extra Dry, or Dry. But what do these terms really mean? And how sweet (or dry) should you expect your bubbly to be?

Let’s break it down in a simple, friendly way — because finding your perfect sparkling wine should be just as fun as popping the cork!

Quick Look at the Sweetness Scale

Sparkling wines are categorized based on how much sugar is added during the last step (liqueur d'expédition) before sealing sparkling wine with cork. Here’s the basic rundown:

• Brut Nature: 0–3 g/l sugar - Super dry, crisp, and pure. No sugar is added!
• Extra Brut: 0–6 g/l sugar - Still very dry, but just a tiny whisper of softness.
• Brut: 0–12 g/l sugar - The most popular style — dry, but with a touch of balance. Perfect for celebrations!
• Extra Dry: 12–17 g/l sugar - Don’t let the name fool you — it's actually a little sweeter than Brut.
• Dry: 17-32 g/l sugar - Well, not really dry as we would expect. So it is tricky.
• Demi-Sec: 32–50 g/l sugar - Definitely sweet! Great with desserts or for those who love a lush, smooth sparkling wine.
• Doux: 50+ g/l sugar - The sweetest of all — a true treat in a glass!

You can think of it like this: the lower the sugar content, the drier the wine. The higher the sugar, the sweeter the sip.

How Does the Sugar Get There? (Hint: It’s Called "Dosage")

You might be wondering — if grapes already have sugar, why add more? During the traditional method of making sparkling wine (called Méthode Traditionnelle), the wine goes through a second fermentation inside the bottle to create all those lovely bubbles. After that, the winemaker carefully removes the spent yeast — and here’s where the magic happens.

Before sealing the bottle for good, they add a tiny mix of liqueur d'expédition, contains wine and sugar, process known as dosage.

This final touch decides whether the wine will be Brut Nature, Brut, Demi-Sec, or any other sweetness level.

• A little dosage = drier wine.
• More dosage = sweeter wine.

Simple, right?

Why It Matters

Understanding these sweetness levels helps you pick the perfect sparkling wine for your occasion:

Love super crisp, no-sugar wines? Go for Brut Nature. Want something food-friendly but still dry? Choose Brut. Planning a dessert pairing or just enjoy a sweeter glass? Look for Demi-Sec or even Doux. The best part? There’s a style for everyone, whether you’re toasting a big celebration or just unwinding after a long week.

Ready to explore? Browse our Sparkling Wine Collection and find your new favorite today!