Champagne
Champagne, the epitome of elegance and celebration, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of sparkling wines. As one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world, Champagne has captured the hearts of wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs with its exceptional quality, refined craftsmanship, and iconic vineyards.
Historically, Champagne has been dominated by some world-acclaimed Champagne House, which source grapes and harvest from Champagne growers. These famous Grandes Marques include Louis Roederer (Cristal), Dom Pérignon, Krug, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Bollinger, all of them are revered for their notable names that display unrivalled winemaking prestige and pedigree.
In the recent decade, the emerging Grower Champagne trend in Champagne is shaking up the industry by challenging the dominance of the big Champagne houses. These small-scale producers, also known as "Récoltant-Manipulant" or RM, grow their own grapes and produce their own Champagne, showcasing the unique terroir and character of their vineyards. Jacques Selosse, Ulysse Collin, and Champagne Vilmart & Cie are among the most prominent names in this trend, producing some truly artisanal and terroir-driven Champagnes.
Champagne is primarily made from three main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. These grapes are carefully selected and blended to create a harmonious and complex flavour profile. Chardonnay contributes elegance, freshness, and finesse, while Pinot Noir adds structure, depth, and fruitiness. Pinot Meunier brings a touch of roundness and vibrancy to the blend.
The region of Champagne is divided into several distinct sub-regions, including Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and Vallée de la Marne. Each sub-region has its unique terroir, characterized by variations in soil composition and microclimates, which influence the style and character of the wines produced.
Champagne offers various styles, from non-vintage blends to vintage cuvées and prestigious prestige cuvées. While Non-vintage Champagnes typically epitomise the house style, the vintage Champagnes are made from grapes harvested in one particular year (top vintages such as 1996, 2002, 2008 etc), in which these wines showcase the unique characteristics of the specific vintage.
The prestige cuvées, often the flagship wines of the renowned Champagne houses, are the pinnacle of excellence. These exceptional Champagnes are created using the finest grapes, the most meticulous winemaking techniques and often benefit from extended ageing to achieve unparalleled complexity and finesse.
Champagne is synonymous with celebration, elegance, and luxury. Its effervescent charm and timeless appeal have made it the drink of choice for countless special occasions and memorable moments. With its rich history, iconic vineyards, and unrivalled quality, Champagne continues to captivate wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
Champagne
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Champagne | 1 | 96 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£349.24 |
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Decanter (96)The nose is shy and subtle, though notions of red apple, peppery rye crumb, stone and lemon emerge with more air. Tightly coiled, the palate suggests spicy riches with its insinuations of white pepper and tangerine peel. A lovely interplay of Pinot richness and Chardonnay slinkiness, showing depth, svelteness and elegance. It justs needs air to breathe. Gorgeous. |
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Champagne | 3 | 97 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£1,148.44 |
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Decanter (97)Now almost blanc de noirs, boasting 92% Pinot Noir and just 8% Chardonnay from 60%-70% estate vineyards. La Grande Dame is one of the most affordable of Champagne’s elite prestige set, and the stunning 2008 vintage was intricately engineered by the masterful Dominique Demarville for the long haul. It unites all of the enduring potential of its thundering grands crus with the tension and energy of this legendary season, colliding high-tensile acidity with deep, fine, powdery chalk minerality, bringing its finish into stark focus. |
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Champagne | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£702.04 |
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Champagne | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£624.04 |
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Vinous (95)The NV (2012) Extra Brut Fidele is another fabulous wine from Vouette & Sorbée. Here, the richness of Pinot Noir comes through loud and clear in the wine's depth and overall richness. Creamy and beautifully layered throughout, the 2012 hits all the right notes. Red berry, mint, flowers, sweet spices and candy fill out the wine's broad frame effortlessly. What a gorgeous wine this is. Simply put, the 2012 is a total knock-out. Disgorged: January 6, 2015. |
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Champagne | 2 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£744.04 |
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Vinous (94)(100% chardonnay, from 2007; disgorged 09-11-10/R07): Light, bright gold. An intensely perfumed nose displays dried pear, orange pith, vanilla bean and candied ginger, with suave leesy and iodine notes gaining strength with aeration. Deeply pitched and emphatically dry, with strikingly powerful orchard fruit and candied citrus flavors deepened by notes of anise, vanilla and chamomile. Finishes firm and gripping, leaving spice and bitter almond notes behind. An extremely young, intense and uncompromising Champagne that should be left to rest for at least a few more years. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Champagne | 1 | 96 (DC) |
In Bond
£275.00 |
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Decanter (96)The nose is shy and subtle, though notions of red apple, peppery rye crumb, stone and lemon emerge with more air. Tightly coiled, the palate suggests spicy riches with its insinuations of white pepper and tangerine peel. A lovely interplay of Pinot richness and Chardonnay slinkiness, showing depth, svelteness and elegance. It justs needs air to breathe. Gorgeous. |
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Champagne | 3 | 97 (DC) |
In Bond
£941.00 |
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Decanter (97)Now almost blanc de noirs, boasting 92% Pinot Noir and just 8% Chardonnay from 60%-70% estate vineyards. La Grande Dame is one of the most affordable of Champagne’s elite prestige set, and the stunning 2008 vintage was intricately engineered by the masterful Dominique Demarville for the long haul. It unites all of the enduring potential of its thundering grands crus with the tension and energy of this legendary season, colliding high-tensile acidity with deep, fine, powdery chalk minerality, bringing its finish into stark focus. |
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Champagne | 2 | - |
In Bond
£569.00 |
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Champagne | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£504.00 |
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Vinous (95)The NV (2012) Extra Brut Fidele is another fabulous wine from Vouette & Sorbée. Here, the richness of Pinot Noir comes through loud and clear in the wine's depth and overall richness. Creamy and beautifully layered throughout, the 2012 hits all the right notes. Red berry, mint, flowers, sweet spices and candy fill out the wine's broad frame effortlessly. What a gorgeous wine this is. Simply put, the 2012 is a total knock-out. Disgorged: January 6, 2015. |
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Champagne | 2 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£604.00 |
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Vinous (94)(100% chardonnay, from 2007; disgorged 09-11-10/R07): Light, bright gold. An intensely perfumed nose displays dried pear, orange pith, vanilla bean and candied ginger, with suave leesy and iodine notes gaining strength with aeration. Deeply pitched and emphatically dry, with strikingly powerful orchard fruit and candied citrus flavors deepened by notes of anise, vanilla and chamomile. Finishes firm and gripping, leaving spice and bitter almond notes behind. An extremely young, intense and uncompromising Champagne that should be left to rest for at least a few more years. |
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