Category: Champagne reviews

Champagne Review: Baron-Fuenté NV Grands Cépages Chardonnay

Liz Palmer Champagne ReviewThis is Baron-Fuenté’s top wine. Light gold hue with expressive nose intermixing aromas of pear, nuts and citrus fruit; the palate is well-balanced; the minerality is palpable with a zingy edge and lemon-zest flavors which flow through to a long palate.

Pair with:
This fruity well-balanced champagne will be ideal with turbot and dill, lemon-pie or excellent as an aperitif.

Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Winery: Baron-Fuenté

Sugar Content: 6 g/L

Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry

Style: Rich & Complex

Date Published: July 20, 2017

Piper-Heidsieck To Launch Essentiel

Piper-Heidsieck is launching a cuvee this September aimed at the champagne connoisseur and will be exclusive to the UK on-trade and select wine merchants.

Essentiel is a low-dosage offering at 5g/l compared to the Brut NV at 9/10g/l, and has received an additional 12-18 months of ageing. Additional information will be displayed on the label, such as, disgorgement and cellaring dates which will communicate that extra level of detail to an engaged champagne audience.

Chef de Caves, Régis Camus states:
“I am proud of this Extra-Brut cuvée which symbolises the essence of our champagnes. This extra-aged and lower dosage wine is the pure expression of Piper-Heidsieck style: a structured, crisp and ardent wine.”

Winemakers tasting notes: bright, crisp and firm, you can expect notes of citrus, grapes, crisp apple, almond and salinity.

Price – GBP37.99 (US$49) per bottle

Happy International Chardonnay Day (May 25th) and What is Blanc de Blancs Champagne

First of all Blanc de Blancs is a French term that means “white from whites”, and is used to designate Champagnes made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes.

Secondly – Champagne Geography – the key districts for Blanc de Blancs are the Côte des Blancs and Côte de Sézanne. The Côte des Blancs is particularly famous for its Chardonnay and yield the best examples of this style. The six grand cru villages include: Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger and Oiry. In Champagne, unlike Burgundy, the grand cru classification is linked to its villages and not vineyards. The designation denotes not only the highest-quality grapes—but also, generally, those that command the highest prices.

Thirdly, the differences in aromas and flavors are attributable to terroir. For instance, the Côte de Sézanne tends to yield riper fruit, hence riper wines. Other differences are the result of winemaking techniques, the degree of dosage, and other variables.

A classic Blanc de Blancs is restrained and elegant when its young, yet with ageing, it develops a mouth-coating brioche richness that overlays an intense expression of fruitiness.

Blanc de blancs Champagne is vibrant in its acidity it wants nothing more than to throw itself into comfort foods, seafood, and fried foods.

Producers include Salon, Billecart-Salmon, Jacques Selosse, Dom Ruinart, Krug, Guy Larmandier, Champagne R&L Legras, Champagne Henriot, Pol Roger, Krug, Louis Roederer, Dom Ruinart, Vilmart, Taittinger, and J. de Telmont  – also seek out smaller producers, you will be surprised and delighted.

Moët & Chandon Champagne 6-Packs

Just in time for wedding season and Memorial Day weekend, Moët & Chandon just released its first 6-pack of mini champagne bottles (137mL bottles) of its classic Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne.

Tasting notes include a blend that’s crisp, fresh, smooth, and easy to drink with light body and fruity notes.

This release is currently available in the US.

At $100 the Moët Mini Share Pack comes with its own golden flute toppers, so you can pour and share your bubbles elegantly in any circumstances, may it be at an engagement party, picnic chic, at the beach, at a cocktail party, or just to elevate any summer soiree!

My Interview with Ange Aiello of iYellow Wine Club

picture1Taking Champagne with Madame Champenoise 

Liz Palmer graced the Wine Angels with her presence in the Cave (Toronto) last month to toast to the release of her new book The Ultimate Guide to Champagne. Liz’s love affair with wine began nine years ago, as she made the transition from law to a studying Somm. As we sipped, savoured, and yes, SABERED in her honour, it became apparent that we could all agree that no matter the question – Champagne is ALWAYS the answer. As we poured ourselves some champers and settled into chat – Liz told us about her continued book tour plans (Paris, New York and Toronto), and how she will soon be launching her own Champagne brand- How cool! Liz is fondly known as the “Queen of Champagne”, but we call her “Madame Champenoise”!

If you could describe the purpose of your book in one sentence, what would it be?

The Champagne Bible

Do you consider yourself a Champagne purist?

I’m a purist when it comes to vintage Champagne, but I am still open minded. There are people in France who don’t believe that you should cook with Champagne. Then, there is the topic of decanting Champagne, it does change the taste and effect the bubbles – true purists don’t agree with decanting.

What was the very first Champagne you drank in the region? 

Drappier Champagne from the Aube region. Champagne has been produced by the Drappier family for eight generations and I’ve have the honour to meet and taste with three generations Andre, Michel and Charline. I just fell in love with their wines when I visited them several years ago. They a “champagne table” that holds your champagne glass and purse – what else do you need.

What is your favourite Champagne?

The 1998 Dom Pérignon, I tasted with the chef de Cave Richard Geoffroy and a sommelier in a private intimate tasting experience a few years ago –  It was memorable! (Find it in the LCBO here)

Is there another female that inspires you?

It’s difficult naming one, but Maggie Henríquez, the CEO of Krug stands out, she is quite a dynamic woman. There are more females in ownership, management and board roles than ever before. I’ve interviewed quite a few of these women and have mentioned a few of them in my book “The Ultimate Guide To Champagne” (even our very own Angela Aiello).

What is your favourite wine pairing?

Oysters and champagne –there is nothing better!

What are you wearing if Champagne is the perfect accessory?

Either an elegant evening gown or a bathrobe.

If you were talking to someone who didn’t know anything about Champagne, what would be the key thing you would want to tell them? 

Two things – firstly, how to shop for champagne, and secondly how to taste it.

When you’re not writing, or drinking Champagne, where are you and what’s in your glass?

I love Chablis. I also been going in between Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. During the spring time I focus on Provence rosé.

And the final question – have you ever sabered!?! And tell us about your experience.

I’m a beginner – I just bought my first saber from Reims, France and it is a Laguiole brand. I’ve been practicing off the back of my boat!

Liz’s champagne and wine adventures! Follow me on Instagram here!