How to Spot Authentic Champagne When Buying Online

Champagne is a beverage enjoyed by many since it can be paired with various dishes. But how do you know which one is the real deal—especially if you need to buy it online? If you’ve been meaning to purchase champagne online, you need to be able to spot the subtleties that differentiate it from the fake ones. In this article, we’ll share a few tips on how to spot authentic champagne so you’re guaranteed that your purchase is the real deal.

Check the label.

When you buy champagne, the first thing you need to do is check its label. The label contains detailed information about the champagne and includes the following, but is not limited to:

  • The name of the champagne.
  • The name of the producer along with their registration number.
  • The grape varieties used.
  • It’s alcohol content.
  • The vintage year, if applicable.
  • The amount of sugar added to the champagne.

Along with the label, see if it has the AOC seal.

Besides a detailed list of information, real champagne also has the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) seal. This guarantees that it was produced in the Champagne region of France and has passed strict quality standards, assuring that it’s made of high-quality ingredients under careful processes by skilled hands.

Check the price.

If you’re looking for a telltale sign that a bottle of champagne is fake, then you should look out for products that are sold way below the retail price—prices that seem too good to be true. It’s important to remember that champagne is a luxury product, which means that it doesn’t come cheap. You have to have a realistic budget for purchasing authentic champagne, so if you see products that are being sold cheaper than other champagnes of the same producer, it’s more than likely to be fake.

Make sure to buy from reputable retailers.

Another way to guarantee that you’re purchasing an authentic champagne is if you buy it from a renowned and reputable seller. You can check online at the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne’s (CIVC) website for the list of reputable sellers that are authorized to distribute champagne.

Make sure you use a secure payment method.

We cannot stress this enough, but online retailers have secure payment methods available on their sites. Avoid sketchy websites since they could use your personal information to commit fraudulent actions.

Check the delivery.

Once you’ve made your online purchase, make sure to check the goods once they’re delivered to you. Given its fragile nature, your package should be packed tightly and securely. Products that are bought from reputable retailers commit to providing high-quality services; they make sure that you receive your purchase in prime condition, so secure packaging and transportation is a guarantee from them. Check if there are any signs of tear or opening and if the bottle has any damage. If it does, there’s a chance that your package may be tampered with.

Purchasing champagne online: Quality will always shine through.

With so many fake champagne bottles being sold online, buying champagne can be a real hassle if you don’t know how to differentiate the authentic ones from the fake ones. But considering the aforementioned tips will help you discern which bottles are real since high-quality products always shine through.