Champagne Discovery
beyond the bubbles
- TASTING EVENTS -
bespoke tastings
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- TASTING EVENTS -
champagne masterclasses
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- TASTING EVENTS -
champagne et fromage
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ABOUT US
We are Gita and Lee, two self-confessed champagne lovers for whom this effervescent drink has been a huge part of our lives since meeting twenty-two years ago. Our first trip to the region was in 1999 to source bottles for our wedding. Since then, we have been visiting several times a year, have tasted thousands of wines and continue to discover amazing new producers, incredible wines and stories. We are immensely passionate about the top quality smaller domaines who strive to tell a narrative through their wines, from vineyard to bottle. As well as the bubbles, Champagne is home to some excellent still white, red and rosés too; not to forget Ratafia de Champagne. This famous region is fortunate to be home to a myriad of World class winemakers, producing an array of diverse wines, we really are spoilt for choice. We love wine, we absolutely adore champagne!
Tchin tchin!
Champagne of the Month
LELARGE-PUGEOT
Les Charmes de Vrigny
Our “Champagne of the Month” for November is the stunning “Les Charmes de Vrigny” produced by the lovely Lelarge family of Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot. Based in Vrigny, the family has been tending vines since 1799 and Dominique became custodian of this 8.7 hectare estate in 1985. The majority of the plots are in Vrigny, with parcels also located in Gueux and Coulommes-la-Montagne. The vinestock consists of 4.4 hectares of Meunier, 2.8 of Pinot Noir and 1.5 of Chardonnay; soils are predominantly chalk, clay loam and sandy.
In 2000, Dominique began the process of moving towards organic farming by ceasing the use of pesticides and dramatically reducing the use of fungicides and herbicides in the vineyard. Allowing natural ground cover - enherbement followed in 2005 and ploughing by horse was gradually introduced in 2009. In 2010, the family began the process of organic conversion which was completed and certified by 2015. This also coincided with the construction of a beautiful new cellar, expanding the previous facility that was built in 1998. Biodynamic trials began in 2014, the estate is now certified both Ecocert (organic) and Demeter (biodynamic). Beehives were introduced to the estate in 2016 and further biodiversity was encouraged in 2020 by the planting of a large quantity of trees throughout the plots which exist in the nearby woodland. Species included hazelnut, walnut, acacia, ash, hawthorn, birch and poplar. The family vineyards are indeed a very attractive place for wildlife and humans alike!
Les Charmes de Vrigny is a non-vintage wine consisting of 50% Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. As the name suggests, it is born from the vineyards of Vrigny using the plots Les Pierres, Les Cumines, Les Clos, La Fosse Saint Marcoult, Les Forts Monts and Les Champs Chevalliers; the soil found here is clay-limestone and the average age of the vines is 40 years. The base wine (80%) comes from 2008, harvesting of which took place on 18th September; the reserve wine is a perpetual blend of 2003/4/5/6/7. Natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts and vinification was entirely in cuve inox. Disgorged in November 2015 with 4gl dosage and sealed with a natural cork, alcohol is at 12% abv.
Tasted 17:15 Friday 9th October 2020 (flower/sowing day in the lunar calendar)
Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of honeysuckle, lemon blossom, red apple, Spartan apple, pear, quince, pink grapefruit, lemon zest, Seville orange, raspberry, honeydew melon, lychee, passion fruit, chicu and papaya. There are secondary notes of toasted brioche, orange crème brulée, almond shortbread and caramel fudge. Tertiary aromas include caramel, marmalade, dried apple, dried apricot, hay, honey, toffee apple, candied carob, ginger and butterscotch. Whilst no oak was used, oxidative descriptors such as vanilla, cloves and marzipan appeared evident, perhaps a cause of the long ageing on the lees? Whatever the reason, the outcome is pure drinking pleasure. The finish was long and the mousse delicate.
Elegantly poised, overwhelmingly generous, vivacious and downright charming - a description of this beautiful wine that could just as easily be used for this amazing family.
This champagne is drinking brilliantly now but it is certainly viable for further ageing.
Price circa €36.00
ŒNOTHÈQUE
our library of previous champagnes of the month
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WHAT'S IN OUR GLASS
A brief description of the most recent wine we have been enjoying. Tchin tchin!
Charles Dufour - Le Champ du Clos 2011
This gorgeous champagne is made entirely from Pinot Blanc, the lieu-dit "Le Champ du Clos" is in the picturesque Vallée de l'Ource in Celles-sur-Ource. The photo at the top of the page is from the very spot and was taken during the 2016 harvest.
Disgorged 18/05/2016 without dosage or sulfur.