The 8 Best Demi-Sec Champagnes in 2024

By Dirk Smits

Light & Sweet Demi-Sec Champagnes You’ll Love

Demi-Sec Champagnes are defined as having between 32 and 50 grams of residual sugar per liter. The best Demi-Sec Champagnes have more than sweetness; they have balance.

You just might have to search a little to get what you want. Here is GAYOT’s list of the Best Demi-Sec Champagnes, those that will be worth the treasure hunt to find.

> Check out GAYOT’s Champagne Guide.

1. Champagne A. Margaine Cuvée Le Demi-Sec

A. Margaine Le Demi-Sec

Origin: Villers-Marmery, France
Varietal: 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir
Price: $45 for 750 ml.
ABV: 12%

This Demi-Sec comes from a tiny producer regarded for the craftsmanship of its wines. The Demi is identical to the house’s non-vintage Brut only with a greater dosage, making it a Champagne that can easily compete with the big names on GAYOT’s Best Demi-Sec Champagnes list. Peach and apricot notes almost burst from the glass, but the fruits are balanced by gentle citrus acidity and mineral notes. It’s an interesting wine and quite nice for the price.

> For more information, visit the Champagne Margaine official website.

2. Champagne Billecart-Salmon NV Demi-Sec

Origin: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, France
Varietal: 30% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier
Price: $55 for 750ml.
ABV: 12%

The blend in Billecart-Salmon’s Demi-Sec is that of the winery’s Brut Réserve. It’s just made with a greater dosage. This makes it a surprisingly full-bodied wine — one with a plush, creamy mouthfeel. This wine is so much more than just sweet. It offers brioche dough and herbal notes along with a lingering tangerine acidity.

> For more information, visit the Champagne Billecart-Salmon official website.

> Check GAYOT’s exclusive video interview with Mathieu Roland-Billecart, president Champagne Billecart-Salmon.

3. Champagne Collet NV Demi-Sec

Champagne Collet Demi-Sec


Origin: Aÿ, France
Varietal: 50% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir
Price: $53 for 750ml.
ABV: 12%

A Demi-Sec made predominantly from red grapes, this wine offers surprising richness, particularly for the price. It offers floral and Asian pear aromas. Fall fruits also appear on the palate, with apple and candied citrus sweetness. A crisp acidity keeps the sweetness in balance, giving the wine a refreshing appeal.

> For more information, visit Champagne Collet official website.

4. Champagne Laurent-Perrier NV Harmony Demi-Sec

Laurent-Perrier Harmony Demi-Sec


Origin: Tours-sur-Marne, France
Varietal: 45% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier
Price: $61 for 750ml.
ABV: 12%

Inhaling the aromas of this wine is an effect not unlike walking into a fine pastry shop. There’s sweetness of cooking fruit and caramelizing sugar and a yeasty, doughy note that makes you think of a perfectly cooked almond croissant. There is sweetness on the palate but it is balanced by Meyer lemon acidity. Fun but still elegant, it’s one of the bigger bodied wines on our list and one for anyone who enjoys a truly mouth-filling Champagne.

> For more information, visit Champagne Laurent-Perrier official website.

5. Champagne Möet & Chandon NV “Nectar Impérial” Demi-Sec

NV Möet & Chandon “Nectar Impérial” Demi Sec

Origin: Épernay, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Price: $63 for 750 ml.
ABV: 12%

This Champagne is made from a blend dominated by Pinot Noir, and you can feel that in its body. A creamy and luxurious wine, it offers honeysuckle aromas with juicy notes of melon and Meyer lemon. It is bold on the palate but offers a pleasingly crisp finish. It’s a wine that’s best served chilled and even works over ice.

> For more information, visit Champagne Möet & Chandon official website.

6. Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Sublime Demi-Sec

Piper-Heidsieck Sublime Demi-Sec

Origin: Reims, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Price: $60 for 750ml.
ABV: 12%

Piper-Heidsieck adapts its Demi-Sec from its non-vintage blend, which is a terrific wine in its own right. Like a glass of liquid gold, this Demi is a sensual and smooth Champagne. It offers hints of juicy pear, tropical pineapple and vanilla cookies, but the sweet notes are balanced by a beautiful roasted nut and cinnamon spice.

> For more information, visit Champagne Piper-Heidsieck official website.

7. Champagne Pol Roger NV “Rich” Demi-Sec

NV Pol Roger “Rich” Demi-Sec

Origin: Épernay, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Price: $58 for 750 ml.
ABV: 12%

Champagne Pol Roger’s Demi-Sec is made from the same base as the NV Brut Réserve. It has a higher proportion of Chardonnay than most of the wines on the list, and that Chardonnay translates to finesse on the palate. Apricot and honey notes are the dominant flavors but cleansing citrus acidity allows the wine to finish cleanly.

> For more information, visit Champagne Pol Roger official website.

8. Champagne Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec

Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec

Origin: Reims, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Price: $68 for 750ml.
ABV: 12%

Champagne Veuve Clicquot’s Pinot-dominant cuvée is the Demi for those who like their Champagne with straightforward sweetness. It offers notes of pastry dough and sugar cookie with green apple fruit and a refreshing bite of grapefruit zest on the finish.

> For more information, visit the Champagne Veuve-Clicquot official website.