Brut

It's a dryness level, not a place or grape. Brut means dry — under 12 grams of sugar per liter. It's the most common style of sparkling wine and the safest choice when you don't know the room.

Yes, counterintuitively. The sparkling wine scale runs from driest to sweetest: Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Dry, Demi-Sec, Doux. 'Extra Dry' is actually sweeter than 'Brut'.

Brut Nature (also called Zero Dosage) has essentially no added sugar and tastes bone-dry and mineral. Brut allows a small amount, which rounds the edges — most people find Brut more approachable.

Its acidity and bubbles cut through salt and fat, so it's superb with fried food, salty snacks, oysters and cheese. It's also the right style for mimosas if you prefer them less sweet.