Extra Dry Champagne: How It Compares with Brut, Best Bottles to Buy Now

Extra Dry Champagne enjoys a sweet spot in the middle of the Champagne sweetness scale.

For Champagne to be classified as ‘Extra Dry,’ it needs to contain 12-17 grams of residual sugar per liter. 

Extra Dry Champagne is ideal for those who prefer a sweeter Champagne than Brut, but not as sweet as the demi-secs! Let’s take a look at how Brut and Extra Dry compare against each other, other Champagne styles based on sweetness and the best Extra Dry Champagne bottles you should add to your wine wish list today.

Brut vs. Extra Dry: How Do They Differ?

It might sound surprising, but Extra Dry Champagne is not the driest type of Champagne. 

In fact, it’s sweeter than Brut, Brut Nature and Extra Brut Champagne. 

On the Champagne sweetness scale, Extra Dry lies between Brut and Dry Champagne.

Brut Champagne is the most popular style of Champagne in the world. ‘Brut’ means ‘dry’ in French. This dry Champagne has a sugar content amounting to only 1.5% of the total volume of the bottle. Definitely not a sweet wine!

On the other hand, Extra Dry is a sparkling wine that tastes less sour and is sweeter than dry wine, with a concentration of sugar amounting to about 2% of the total volume. 

How are they similar? 

Like all Champagnes, Brut and Extra Dry are both blends of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varieties, with Chardonnay generally being the primary grape.

Levels of Champagne Sweetness

Let’s look at how Extra Dry, Brut and other Champagne measure on the sweetness scale. 

10 Best Extra Dry Champagne You Need To Try Today

• 1979 Pol Roger Extra Dry 
• NV Veuve Fourny & Fils Premier Cru Extra Dry 
• NV Louis Roederer Carte Blanche Extra Dry 
• NV Louis de Sacy Cuvee Tentation Extra Dry 
• NV Piper-Heidsieck Extra Dry 
• NV Heidsieck & Co Monopole Extra Dry 
• NV Pommery Falltime Blanc de Blancs Extra Dry 
• NV Pommery POP Extra Dry
• NV Montaudon Extra Dry
• NV J&B Justerini & Brooks 250th Anniversary Special Cuvee Extra Dry

1. 1979 Pol Roger Extra Dry ($416)

The Pol Roger Extra Dry sparkling wine made using méthode champenoise has an aroma of pale lemon, lime and apple. On the palate, this sparkling white wine has a flavor reminiscent of bread, brioche and pastry with hints of dried fruit and nuts.

2. NV Veuve Fourny & Fils Premier Cru Extra Dry ($42)

This Extra Dry Premier Cru is quality Champagne from France with hints of peach and apple flavors as well as a note of citrus. 

3. NV Louis Roederer Carte Blanche Extra Dry ($53)

This Louis Roederer Extra Dry is a light Champagne, and although slightly dry, it is highly refreshing and produces fine frothy bubbles. This sparkling wine also has an aroma likened to woody straw. 

4. NV Louis de Sacy Cuvee Tentation Extra Dry ($39)

The sparkling Louis de Sacy Extra Dry has a pale amber color, with crisp fruit flavors, honey, and a slight twist of ripe apple and grapefruit. It offers roundness with a perfect balance and hints of toffee.

5. NV Piper-Heidsieck Extra Dry ($47)

This Extra Dry wine from Piper-Hiedsick offers a great balance of acidity and sweetness. It gives out fruity and floral nuances with a flavor of lemons, ripe apples, honey, as well as ginger. 

6. NV Heidsieck & Co Monopole Extra Dry ($42)

This mildly acidic and pale yellow bottle of Extra Dry Monopole presents a gracious aroma of baked apple and bread. To the tongue, it offers a taste of light toast and buttered apples and minerals.

7. NV Pommery Falltime Blanc de Blancs Extra Dry ($49)

This sparkling Extra Dry Blanc de Blancs offering from Pommery offers a refreshing sweetness on the palate with hints of apple, toasted nuts, cream and citrus. It also presents an aroma of lemon and white flowers. 

8. NV Pommery POP Extra Dry ($40)

Pommery POP Extra Dry offers a golden hue to the eye while the aroma includes a delightful mix of baked apple, toasted butter, almonds and ginger. It’s a light-bodied and mildly acidic bubbly that has a smooth finish.

9. NV Montaudon Extra Dry ($44)

To the eye, this bottle of Montaudon Extra Dry offers up a look of straw yellow while the taste presents a flavor consisting of notes of sweet pear, green apple and toasted brioche. The fresh pear taste of this  Extra Dry is complemented with an aroma that reminds one of toasty yeast notes, apple and a hint of citrus. 

10. NV J&B Justerini & Brooks 250th Anniversary Special Cuvee Extra Dry ($24)

This special anniversary Extra Dry from Justerini and Brooks is a delightful and refreshing beverage, albeit slightly dry with apple, brioche and citrus notes. 

Enjoy Your Extra Dry Sparkler and Grow Your Wine Portfolio!

Extra Dry Champagnes are excellent alcoholic beverages for any occasion - from quiet evening dinners to festivities like a birthday or bridal shower.

While Extra Dry Champagne can offer a great drinking experience, it’s not the type of sparkling wine you should invest in for long-term cellaring. 

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