| | Sweetness on the label |
| Brut | Dry, under approx. 12 g sugar per litre. Avoid it with kransekage |
| Extra dry | Approx. 12-17 g per litre |
| Sec | Medium dry, approx. 17-32 g per litre |
| Demi-sec | Medium sweet, approx. 32-50 g per litre. The right one for kransekage |
| Doux | Sweet, over approx. 50 g per litre |
Why kransekage needs a sweet champagne
While dry and medium-dry champagnes go nicely with the courses earlier in the evening, the sweet kransekage needs a sweet or medium-sweet champagne. That makes sure you enjoy both the cake and the champagne fully. In champagne terms, dry is called brut, medium dry is sec, medium sweet is demi-sec, and sweet is demi doux. These terms are good to get to know when you hunt for the perfect New Year champagne for your kransekage.
The tradition of eating kransekage with champagne became widespread about 100 years ago. Back then champagnes were generally much sweeter than today, because a lot more sugar was added. So the sweet kransekage naturally went well with champagne. Today, when many champagnes are dry, it is important to pick one that is demi-sec or even sweeter. This type of champagne has the right sweetness to balance the kransekage, and it is acidic enough to be enjoyed on its own.
A typical misunderstanding is drinking bone-dry brut champagne with kransekage. The dry taste of the champagne makes the kransekage taste sickly sweet and inedible, while the sweetness of the kransekage makes the champagne taste sour. So a good rule of thumb is to steer clear of brut when you buy bubbles for kransekage.
Dosage liqueur decides how sweet the champagne is
The amount of dosage liqueur decides how sweet or dry a champagne is. Dosage liqueur is a sugar solution added just before the cork goes in. The more dosage liqueur, the sweeter the champagne.
The table above shows the usual limits for each level. They vary a little from source to source, so use them as a guide and not as an answer sheet. You can read more about champagne sweetness levels on Wikipedia.
A specific New Year champagne: Deutz Demi Sec
| | Facts about the bottle |
| Producer | Champagne house Deutz |
| Type | Demi Sec, medium-sweet champagne from Champagne, France |
| Grapes | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier |
| Alcohol | 12% |
| Bottle | 70 cl |
A good pick for a New Year champagne that goes well with kransekage is Deutz Demi Sec Champagne at 12%. It is a well-made champagne with a clean and inviting taste, further lifted by a well-balanced sweetness. The medium-sweet champagne is a fine finishing touch for the New Year dinner, and it gives the kransekage a fresh but sweetish breath.
How to serve the champagne
If the champagne is to show its best, follow a few guidelines. It should of course be chilled before serving. The ideal serving temperature is around 10 degrees. Cheaper champagnes should be served a little colder, while expensive ones may be served a little warmer. It is usually fine to take the champagne out of the fridge half an hour to an hour before serving.
When serving, pour gently until the foam reaches the rim of the glass. When the foam has settled, fill the glass up again, to three quarters full at most. That leaves room for the aroma and bouquet of the champagne in the glass. It is a good idea to serve champagne in tall, slender glasses that narrow towards the top. That gathers the aroma at the top of the glass and lets the bubbles escape as slowly as possible.
My verdict: champagne for kransekage
Look for the word demi-sec on the label, and you are on the right track. It is the easiest way to a champagne that can stand up to the sweetness of kransekage without turning sour. If you have guests who prefer dry, pour brut with dinner and save the sweet one for the cake.
Frequently asked questions about champagne for kransekage
Which champagne goes best with kransekage?
A demi-sec or sweeter. It has enough sweetness to balance the kransekage and is acidic enough to be enjoyed on its own.
Can you drink brut with kransekage?
It is not recommended. The dry taste makes the kransekage taste sickly sweet, and the sweetness of the cake makes the champagne sour.
What do brut, sec, demi-sec and demi doux mean?
Dry is brut, medium dry is sec, medium sweet is demi-sec and sweet is demi doux.
What is dosage liqueur?
A sugar solution added just before the cork goes in. The more dosage, the sweeter the champagne.
Why do people drink champagne with kransekage?
The tradition became widespread about 100 years ago. Back then champagnes were much sweeter, so they suited the sweet kransekage naturally.
What is Deutz Demi Sec?
A medium-sweet champagne at 12% and 70 cl, made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier by the champagne house Deutz.
What temperature should champagne be served at?
Around 10 degrees. Cheap champagne is served a little colder and expensive champagne a little warmer.
How long should champagne be out of the fridge?
Usually half an hour to an hour before serving.
Which glass is best for champagne?
Tall, slender glasses that narrow towards the top. That gathers the aroma at the top and lets the bubbles escape slowly.
How do you pour champagne?
Gently, until the foam reaches the rim. Top up when the foam has settled, but to three quarters full at most.
Read more about champagne
See our full range of champagne and sparkling wine and Deutz Demi Sec.
More drink
recipes
