Champagne Discovery

Champagne of the Month
OUR CHAMPAGNE WEEK RENAISSANCE
Revisiting some favourites

Our “Champagne of the Month” for May follows a slightly different format to normal. After a hiatus of two years “le printemps des champagnes” made a welcome return in 2022 but sadly we were unable to attend. To cheer ourselves up over a long bank holiday weekend; we decided to revive our champagne week memories by picking a bottle from our collection that represented some of the different associations. A delicious weekend of wine, so much so that we felt compelled to continue into the following week!

Thursday 14th April (sowing/root day)

Time – 17:25

Association: Terres at Vins

Producer: Emanuel Brochet (Villers aux Nœuds, Montagne de Reims)

Cuvée: Le Mont Benoit

Laboratory accredited no pesticide residue.

20% from 2007, 80% 2008. 40% Meunier, 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay. 11 months vinification and ageing in oak barrels, no cold stabilisation, no fining nor filtering. 4gl dosage, sealed with a natural cork. Alcohol is at 12.5% abv.

Appearance: Clear, pale, gold.

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of honeysuckle, green apple, gooseberry, quince, pear, grapefruit, lemon juice, orange peel, chiku, lychee, cantaloupe melon, passion fruit, pineapple, raspberry leaf, baked apple, green bell pepper and flint. There are secondary notes short crust pastry, toast, palmier biscuit, vanilla, charred wood, smoke, butterscotch, cocoa nibs and coffee. Tertiary aromas include hay, honey, hazelnut, walnut, toffee apple and ginger.

Friday 15th April (sowing/flower day)

Time – 16:15

Association: Des Pieds et des Vins/Bulles Bio

Producer: Barrat-Masson (Villenauxe-la-Grande, Sézanne)

Cuvée: Les Margannes

Two plots are used “Chapelle” and “Chaillois” from Villenauxe-la-Grande where the soil is a clay-limestone mix to produce this vintage wine (2013 edition). 15% vinified in oak barrels, 35% in hogsheads and 50% in stainless steel. 9 months ageing on the lees, zero dosage and disgorged by hand. Alcohol is at 12% abv.

Appearance: Clear, pale, lemon.

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of acacia, elderflower, lemon blossom, lemon juice, lemon rind, grapefruit, honeydew melon, apricot, pineapple, tomato leaf, rhubarb compôte. There are secondary notes of short crust pastry, lemon tart, smoky, charred wood and coconut. Tertiary aromas include toast, almond, nutty, ginger, dried apple, hay and honey.

Saturday 16th April (sowing/flower day)

Time – 17:05

Association: Les Artisans du Champagne

Producer: Christophe Mignon (Festigny, Vallée de la Marne)

Cuvée: Coup de Foudre

2010 vintage, vines located in Festigny and Le Breuil – South/South West facing, average age 46 years, clay/limestone soil. Vinification in enamelled steel vats with one year ageing in foudres. Disgorged 21/02/2017 without dosage and sealed with a natural cork.

Appearance: Clear, pale, gold.

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of orange juice, blood orange, orange rind, pink grapefruit, Mirabelle, red apple, quince, peach, nectarine, cola cubes, stewed apple and prune. There are secondary notes of toast, brioche, vanilla, tarte tartin and cloves. Tertiary notes include hay, honey, marmalade, marzipan, praline, dried apricot and chestnut.

Sunday 17th April (sowing/flower day)

Time – 16:10

Association: Bulles Bio

Producer: Vouette et Sorbée – Bertrand Gautherot (Buxières-sur-Arce, Côte des Bar)

Cuvée: Fidèle

Certified biodynamic, Fidèle is born from two plots “Vouette” et “Sorbée” where the soil is Kimmeridgian. Blanc de Noirs – 100% Pinot Noir, 2013 vintage, vinified in oak barrels; disgorged without dosage 01/12/2015 and sealed with a natural cork. Alcohol is at 12% abv.

Appearance: Clear, deep, amber.

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of acacia, honeysuckle, lemon juice, orange peel, pink grapefruit, bramley apple skin, red apple, quince, pear drops, gooseberry, lychee, raspberry, raspberry leaf and apple compôte. There are secondary notes of toasted brioche, vanilla, orange buttercream and butterscotch. Tertiary notes include hay, honey, marmalade, dried apricot, dried apple, and ginger.

Monday 18th April (sowing/root day)

Time – 16:25

Association: Les Mains du Terroir

Producer: Janisson-Baradon (Épernay, Côte d’Épernay)

Cuvée: Millésime 2002

70% Chardonnay from the plot “Toulette” and 30% Pinot Noir from “Tue Bœuf”. Fermentation, including malolactic in stainless steel; six months ageing in oak barrels.

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of honeysuckle, lemon blossom, pear, chiku, quince, white peach, passion fruit, pineapple, cantaloupe melon, raspberry, blackberry, baked apple, fig, prune, rosemary and lavender. There are secondary notes of toasted brioche, buttered brioche, butterscotch, lemon buttercream, nutmeg, cloves, charred wood and smoky. Tertiary notes include hay, honey, marmalade, dried apple, frangipane, vanilla, cinnamon, walnut, cobnut, and tobacco.

Wednesday 20th April (fruit day)

Time – 16:55

Producer – Olivier Horiot (Les Riceys, Côte des Bar)

Association – Bulles Bio/Terres et Vins/Les Vignerons des Riceys

Cuvée: Rosé des Riceys “En Barmont” 2012

100% Pinot Noir still wine for which the villages of Les Riceys are famed for. Single plot “En Barmont” high on the vineyard slopes overlooking the village, Kimmeridgian soil.

Appearance: Clear, medium, garnet.

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, red cherry, cranberry, redcurrant and blueberry. There are secondary notes of vanilla, cloves and cedar. Tertiary notes include leather, forest floor, game, meaty, prune, stewed plum, dried cranberry and blackberry jam.

Friday 22nd April (root day)

Time – 16:35

Association: Club Trésors

Producer: Grongnet (Étoges, Val du Petit Morin)

Cuvée: Special Club 1999

40% Chardonnay, 40% Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir. Fermentation in stainless steel – a third of the wines do not undergo malolactic fermentation. Dosage around 8%, sealed with a natural cork, alcohol is at 12% abv.  

Appearance: Clear, deep, gold.

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of honeysuckle, chamomile, orange rind, lemon juice, apricot, mango, honeydew melon, pineapple, raspberry, blueberry, fig, prune and stewed apples. There are secondary notes of vanilla, cloves, pastry, toast, chausson aux pommes, coffee and carob. Tertiary notes include hay, honey, marmalade, dried apple, toffee apple, cinnamon, walnut, mushroom and tobacco.

Saturday 23rd April (root/flower day)

Time – 17:00

Association: Bulles Bio

Producer: Lelarge-Pugeot (Vrigny, Montagne de Reims)

Cuvée: Coteaux Champenois Vrigny Rouge

100% Pinot Noir, still red wine; vintage 2012.

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of red cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, cranberry, plum, damson, black cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry and lavender. There are secondary notes of vanilla, cloves, charred wood and cedar. Tertiary notes include leather, forest floor, game, tobacco, meaty, prune, stewed blackberry and stewed plums.