Cathal McBride on wine: Message on the champagne bottle holds hidden clues

From intricate grower blends to Dom Pérignon, details of the age, composition and provenance of your chosen bubbly can be deciphered from the label if you know what to look for

By law all champagne must be aged for at least 15 months before release

This is a story about champagne, from the heavy hitters to the smaller producers and the rock stars to the roadies. From the giddy heights of Dom Pérignon to the lower-scale intricacies of a grower champagne, it always helps to know what is in your bottle – and the label can provide some interesting hidden details.

I recently had the pleasure of attending a Moët Hennessy champagne dinner at Big Mike’s restaurant in Blackrock, the ...