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What Does Brut Mean?
Brut is the most common dryness level in champagne — but it is not the driest. Here is what the label is telling you.
Published 2026-06-01
Every champagne label carries a dryness term. From driest to sweetest, the main ones you will meet are Brut Nature (no added sugar), Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demi‑Sec and Doux.
The threshold
A wine labelled Brut has up to twelve grams of residual sugar per litre after final dosage. That sounds like a lot in a still wine — in a champagne, the high acidity balances it, and most people perceive Brut as dry.
Why it matters
If you find Brut wines slightly rich, look for Extra Brut or Brut Nature. If you prefer them softer, Extra Dry is the next step up in sweetness.
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