Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial
The house's sweet bottle, with 40 to 45 grams of sugar per liter. That is about nine times as much as in the vintage champagne, making this a bottle for dessert rather than the aperitif.
Nine times as much sugar as the vintage
Nectar Impérial is Moët & Chandon's demi-sec: a champagne with 40 to 45 grams of sugar per liter. That figure says more than any flavor description, because within the same house, the Grand Vintage has 5 grams per liter. Nearly nine times as much sugar, then, and that changes not only the taste but also the occasion when you open the bottle.
The blend consists of 40 to 50 percent pinot noir, 30 to 40 percent meunier and 10 to 20 percent chardonnay, from Champagne in France. Like all the house's bottles, it is 12.5% ABV. The color is intensely golden yellow, immediately revealing that this is not a crisp aperitif champagne.
In brief
Pineapple, passion fruit and a hint of vanilla
Golden yellow and vanilla
Intensely golden yellow in the glass, with tropical fruit and a subtle vanilla note on the nose. Grapefruit and apricot also make an appearance.
Lightly sweet and sensual
Pineapple and passion fruit alongside stone fruit, lightly sweet and almost sensual in texture. The sugar is noticeable, but it does not overwhelm the flavor.
Fresh despite its richness
Where you might expect a syrupy finish after so much sugar, this one stays fresh. That is exactly what makes it work alongside a fruit dessert.
Flavor profile of Nectar Impérial served neat. With a dessert that is already sweet, the champagne's freshness comes through even more strongly.
Nectar Impérial with dessert
A demi-sec should be served chilled, because the cold keeps the sugar in check. Chill the bottle to 8 to 10 degrees and pour smaller portions, so the last bit is not lukewarm in the glass.
With fruit desserts
Pour about 10 cl alongside a dessert with pineapple, mango or apricot. The rule is simple: the glass must be at least as sweet as the plate, otherwise the champagne tastes sour.
Glass: flute or tulip →As a sweet aperitif
Not everyone likes dry. Pour 10 cl into a white wine glass for guests who find a crisp brut too austere; the vanilla and tropical fruit have the most room to shine.
Wine glasses →Sgroppino
Whisk 80 grams of lemon sorbet until loosened, mix with 20 ml vodka and top up with 60 ml Nectar Impérial. The demi-sec makes it softer and rounder than with a brut.
Go to the recipe →How to mix with a demi-sec
The sugar is already in the bottle, so leave out the syrup and liqueur or keep them to a minimum. Sour and fruity ingredients work best here.
Sgroppino
Lemon sorbet, vodka and bubbles, whisked into a foamy coupe. Softer in tone with a demi-sec.
Passion fruit cocktails
Recipes featuring passion fruit, exactly the fruit found in this bottle too. Leave out the syrup.
Christmas cocktails
Bubbles with Christmas dessert. A demi-sec suits the sweet side of Christmas dinner.
Mimosa
Equal parts orange juice and bubbles. With this bottle, it will be noticeably sweeter than with a brut.The right glass for a demi-sec
A flute keeps the bubbles in for longer, which is pleasant with a sweet champagne, because the mousse keeps the sugar light. If you really want to smell the vanilla and tropical fruit, a white wine glass gives them more room.
More Moët & Chandon flavours
Moët & Chandon
Where it all began. On the brand page, you can read everything about Moët & Chandon: origins, varieties and classic cocktails.
To Moët & Chandon →
Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial
Wild strawberry, raspberry and a peppery kick. The colour comes from approximately 10% red wine in the Pinot Noir blend.
View Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial →
Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage
A single harvest, six years in the cellar and just 5 grams of sugar per litre. White peach, jasmine and brioche.
View Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage →
Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial
Made to be poured over ice cubes. Mango, guava and nectarine, with firm acidity that can stand up to the melting ice.
View Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial →Questions about Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial
Can't find your question here? Read more on the Moët & Chandon page or browse our cocktail recipes.
Everything about Moët & Chandon →