The Mystery of Meunier

Well, this post is a little later than we had anticipated for 2015 – things have been unusually busy for January. Not only have we been working hard getting orders out to our lovely customers, we have also been planning for the year ahead – more news on that to come.

We have finally selected our theme for the first champagne tasting of 2015 – “The Mystery of Meunier”. This is a much misunderstood grape variety, not just by the consumer, but also by many winemakers, who often only use it in small quantities to round off their blended cuvées.

Meunier is a black-skinned grape, like its cousin Pinot Noir, but its characteristics are very different. Pinot Noir likes warm weather and clay-like soils similar to that found in the Aube, in the south of champagne. Pockets do grow in the Marne as well in the parcels of land with the right micro-climate. Pinot Noir is sensitive to rot through excessive rain, so growers have to cultivate it with care. It is also prone to frost bite (just like us) and if a cold spell hits at the wrong time, an entire crop could be wiped out.

This is where Meunier differs – it has special powers and can regenerate up to 70% of its growth in the event of frost or hail damage. It is a hardier, more robust variety, but much more difficult to work with than Pinot Noir – one of the reasons many winemakers don’t cultivate it in vast quantities. It has also long been regarded as a lower quality grape, with less ageing potential than the others.  With our spring selection, we will be investigating whether or not this is the case and opening the discussion up to our followers, as well as providing other facts about this particular cépage.

For our inaugural tasting of 2015, we will be looking at 3 majority Meunier champagnes, so our guests and Club Members can experience the unadulterated taste of this fascinating grape variety. We will also have other champagnes available to try, as standard, allowing for an interesting comparison between the aromas, flavours and structure of the wines.

This is sure to be an educational and eye-opening experience. Next week we hit the road on our mission to source the spring champagnes – we are so excited!!

If you would like to share our new finds before they are launched to the public, you can join us for the preview tasting – details below:

Spring 2015 Champagne Tasting

We will gather in the impressive Barrister’s Court at Brown’s Courtroom in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. The address is:

82-84 St Martin’s Lane
Covent Garden
WC2N 4AG

Time: 7.00pm-9.30pm
Date: Friday 6th March 2015

Seasonal canapés will be provided and a pre-theatre menu is available to enjoy before the tasting if you wish. Full details can be found by clicking on the image above. We hope to see you there and if you can’t make it, we look forward to sharing the feedback with you in due course.

Happy drinking 🙂

The must-have case for your wine cellar….

‘Tis the season…not only for giving to others but for indulging yourself just a little, and what better way for us to celebrate Christmas than to introduce our latest finds from Champagne – all great for different parts of Christmas Day (and beyond).

In keeping with our Real Champagne Club tradition, we are delighted to announce the launch of our new winter collection. And what inspired this season’s choices?

Well, champagne is typically enjoyed on Christmas morning with salmon and eggs, but for those of you who like to keep the bubbly flowing, we have found some excellent champagnes for you to enjoy throughout the day – lunch, dinner and beyond, if you are so inclined. For the morning, or perhaps even for Christmas Eve (if your celebrations start then) we’ve found an uplifting, light cuvée – the Carte Noire from Boulachin-Chaput – which mellows as it breathes but retains a lovely crisp acidity on the finish. An excellent match for smoked salmon. As the day draws on and you look for something to accompany your mince pies or Christmas cake, we thought that Boulachin-Chaput’s Dame Noire, with its nose of marzipan and liqueur and palate of spiced dried fruit, would do just the job. Finally as evening sets in and you put your feet up, tummy satisfied and presents opened, you might enjoy a glass or two of the Leblond-Lenoir Brut Rosé, a deep, cherry liqueur-like creation from one of our favourite houses. If you aren’t yet done with the eating, you could pair this with dark chocolates or another helping of Christmas Pud!

Winter Selection 2014 – from left to right: Carte Noire, Dame Noire and Leblond-Lenoir Rose

Full details of these champagnes can be found here. Now, you don’t have to be a part of our Champagne Club to enjoy these champagnes. They are available in a mixed case for £185.00 (£30.83 per bottle). But, if you were a member, you could get your hands on them for just £150 – just £25 per bottle. If that sounds like a bargain to you, have a read and save a few pennies!

A Tale of Two Houses

Boulachin-Chaput is a house that we’ve wanted to feature since originally visiting them back in 2012. Officially a négociant-manipulant (merchant house) rather than a récoltant-manipulant (grower-producer) they retain the familial, artisanal set-up we look for in the houses we work with. In 1799, Joseph Boulachin, formerly a vineyard worker in Arconville, married and acquired some vines in Colombé-la-Fosse. His grandson, Paul Boulachin, created the first Boulachin champagne marque, which grew over the next couple of generations until his own grandson Albert married Sylvette Chaput and brought together two pre-eminent wine-growing families under the Boulachin-Chaput brand in 1996. Nowadays their sons Emmanuel and Geoffrey are very much involved in the business, which is now based in Arrentières, managing the cultivation of the vines and marketing respectively. All of their champagnes have the refinement and minerality you would expect from this far end of the Aube and we are pleased to introduce them into our range for the first time.

Boulachin-Chaput vineyards

Pascal Leblond-Lenoir is a name our members and customers may be familiar with, having featured their Millésime 2009 in our summer case last year, and we have been waiting for a chance to feature their Brut Rosé, a beautifully deep, dark, comforting rosé which we felt would be perfect for the winter months. Unusually for rosés from the Aube, it contains macerated red wine, which gives it the wonderful colour and robust flavour. Leblond-Lenoir continues to be a staple supplier within our range and we have also this quarter re-introduced their Grande Réserve and Désir de Matthieu, both of which contain the rare Pinot Blanc grape, which lends interesting elements to a cuvée such as honey or nutty aromas and flavours of dried or candied fruit. We hope you enjoy!

How well can artisan products really work together?

We have officially launched our 2014 gift range to kick start the festive season! Much research was carried out into the different gift options available on the market and it has to be said, we were quite surprised at the general lack of interesting and different champagne gifts on offer.

A bottle of Veuve Clicquot in a cardboard box (branded of course), Lanson in white and pink bottles and bottle holders, maybe some Belgium chocolates or other generic confectionery is thrown in for an extra treat! For a nation whose interest in wine, champagne and artisan products has boomed in recent years, it is amazing that we do not see a greater variety of unique gift options that give consumers the chance to enjoy new taste experiences.

The advantage for smaller entities is their ability to adapt to the market quickly and they can therefore launch new product lines fairly promptly in comparison to their major counterparts. As our focus is very much on giving customers new experiences when it comes to tasting champagne, we thought it would be great to combine this with other artisan retailers to show how well our respective products can complement each other – not just pairing for pairings sake, but actually looking for products that will go together.

Whilst we do offer the usual gift boxes and champagne and flute sets, we have tried to broaden our horizons by adding interesting new collections to the range. Year on year we see the same things offered to customers – it seems many retailers use what is easily available to them (i.e. gift sets from a big brand available through large UK distributors at a low price). Whilst this is good for customers in the sense that they can often get hold of such items at a good price, it does mean that eventually, they may be forced to look elsewhere, perhaps to other industries or even countries to find something truly different.

Rémy Massin Tasting Set

For our close followers, you will have noticed our recent partnership with Hampshire-based chocolatier Mick Collins of Chocablock Ltd, who set up his business just a few months ago. His chocolates use only the finest ingredients and are intense in flavour, which works very well with champagne, especially the more powerful styles. Chocablock takes care not to add too much sugar to their chocolates, therefore making them an ideal match for dry champagnes, as well as the sweeter varieties.

Another of our new partners, Flavour Tastings and Events, Haslemere’s cheese experts, provide us with a selection of locally produced cheeses. Their aim is to give people a better understanding of the origins and production process of cheese, the diversity available and the superior quality of artisan varieties compared to supermarket/mass-produced versions. Through their network of small cheese producers, they are able to offer an impressive variety of styles, which again fosters fantastic pairings with artisan champagnes.

Customers can choose specific flavours of chocolates, cheeses and macarons via our website, www.real-champagne.com, for which an appropriate style of champagne will be selected or recommended by one of our team for the ultimate pairing. In addition to the individual gifts available, these, plus other small producer items have been packaged into courier-friendly wooden hamper boxes in a variety of sizes, which make fantastic foodie (and drinkie) gifts.

Champagne Hamper

Whilst our gifts will certainly not be the cheapest available this year (we are the only retailer of many of our brands and import direct), we are looking to attract those customers who really value the origin, quality and heritage of their purchases and for foodies looking for new and interesting food and drink combinations that they won’t necessarily have tried before. And when you look at what you get for your money in real terms, we are confident our customers will agree we offer fantastic value.

So if you or someone you know is looking for something truly different this year and for new taste sensations, why not try one of our new artisan gifts?

If you’ve seen really interesting food and drink ideas, please do share them with us, either here or via our Facebook page (link on right).

Happy indulging 🙂

It’s a game changer…

That’s right, the next champagne in our autumn collection is a serious contender – one that will divide the crowd. It pairs perfectly with rich game dishes such as venison or pheasant.

Do you believe that two are better than one? That the perfect pairing work in harmony with each other?

Perhaps you’re one of those who thinks that the good things in life come to those who wait…Or maybe you think that some pills are less bitter to swallow when taken with a good meal…

Whatever your philosophy, this sophisticated pairing is a complex beast. It looks classy, mature, well-educated, but boy does it knock your socks off. The perfect marriage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, aged for a period of 7 years, this little number should not be taken lightly.

From Regis Corniot, Montgueux

For some it will be too much to bear, at least in one evening, whilst for others, it will be indulged in heartily, maybe even over a good supper.

The perfume this time is more intense, starting light, but developing into a spicy, musty scent. Intriguing.

Intimidated? Why not give it a go paired with a game dish such as venison sausages, sauerkraut and onion gravy? Or how about pan-fried venison with Blackberry sauce? Add some spice to your life! Take some time, get to know each other…

Fancy it? Don’t miss out on this unique encounter for just £35 or £185.00 for a case of 6. Find out more here.

PS. If you prefer more of a gathering, why not try the others in our autumn range? Find out more here.

The perfect companion….

Are you looking for a thing of beauty to spend the evening or weekend with?

Do you like a good personality, strong character, but not OTT?

If so, then you need to get your hands on this, the first of our autumn champagne collection – Cuvée Intemporelle.

Dressed in a stunning outfit, it looks fantastic and as for personality and character, the distinctive 100% reserve Chardonnay wines from 2008 and 2009, aged for 4 years, make a great companion without being overbearing.

With a subtle perfume of  Light Citrus Fruits, Clean Linen and a Slight Mustiness this is sure to whet your appetite. Speaking of which, its Smooth, Elegant, Dry, Gentle Citrus and Honey flavours make this a fantastic match for an aperitif, but also with Spinach & Feta tart, hearty salads such as Goat’s Cheese and Beetroot or a Mezze Platter with Olives and Focaccia.

Régis Corniot, Montgueux

What more could one ask for? Make the most of your spare time and get yours today for just £35.00 or £185 for a case of 6 (£30.83 per bottle). Find out more here.

PS. If this is out of your league, don’t forget it is cheaper with The Real Champagne Club. Find out more here.

All things shiny and sparkly…

Last Monday, we were invited by one of our contacts to the 2014 Goldsmith’s Fair, which is recognised internationally as the UK’s best event for contemporary designer jewellery and silverware. It showcases the skill and craftsmanship of established designers and graduates from Goldsmith’s College and gives them a chance to sell their work, undertake commissions or even help to revive existing pieces of jewellery or assist with design ideas one may have.

Running from the 22^nd September – 5^th October, the exhibition runs over two floors in the stunning surroundings of Goldsmith’s College, with the grand staircase in the centre and polished dark wood-clad rooms on the first floor. Downstairs is a lot smaller and less elegant, albeit decorated with stunning pieces of jewellery, but the true beauty is upstairs.

Just inside the entrance, there are a number of feature designers, including one who has created his work entirely by laser, an extraordinary feat. Tom Rucker uses state of the art laser welding technology in conjunction with his goldsmith skills to create unique pieces of jewellery. He works mainly with platinum and diamonds. This ring is Gold and Platinum with vivid yellow diamonds and a laser welded structure.

Gold & Platinum, Vivid Yellow Diamonds, Laser Welded Structure.

The 22^nd was the launch night and from 6.30pm a privileged few were allowed a private viewing of the works on offer, with wine, orange juice and canapes. For people like me, who love shiny things, this was a dangerous place to be, although the substantial price tags were enough to keep the purse firmly glued inside my bag. Some pieces were in excess of £10,000 – I would never dare to touch them for fear of leaving a finger print on the delicate metal or jewels let alone leave the house in them!

Below is a summary of some of my favourite pieces from the first week of the exhibition, complete with photographs. All of these designers can be found on the Goldsmith’s website: www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk

Vicki Ambery-Smith is the mind and the magic behind these world famous buildings. She is well known in the industry for her architecturally inspired pieces and has permanent collections in some of the world’s most prestigious museums, including the V&A, as well as many private collections. This piece is a pair of Pigeonnier Spice Boxes.

Kayo Saito takes her inspiration from flowers or fragile leaf skeletons in the natural world to create fine pieces of jewellery like this Butterfly Gold Necklace. She strives to achieve the same attention to detail in every piece of her work.

Now this is a pen you definitely would not lend at a meeting or…well anywhere really. In fact, I’d be surprised if you allowed it to leave the triple-glazed cabinet in which it is secured. Jack Row is an international award-winning gold and silversmith. He works with Gold, Silver and Platinum and incorporates precious gemstones, fusing traditional goldsmithing skills with the latest technology to create these beautiful pieces of art. This is a rose gold and diamond fountain pen. I bet it writes like a dream, but again, I’d never use it, just admire it from afar.

And finally, Mark Soley uses fine and rare gemstones in his masterpieces. He has worked commissions from the Crown Jeweller for members of the Royal Family. These pieces are called Firefly with a multi gem set ring and pendant. Stunning colours.

This is the ultimate event for jewellery makers, however amateur and those who love something unique, special and maybe even glitzy. But come armed with your cheque book or your partner’s credit card because design, difference and beauty don’t come cheap.

Overall, as someone who appreciates craftsmanship, but is among the least creative people I know, I was astonished by the work and imagination that went into many of the pieces on display. Some were downright bizarre, but even so, you had to admire them for their obscurity and wonder how, if they were to fall into your possession, how on earth you were supposed to wear them! Like this one for instance:

By Ulli Kaiser, inspired by underwater creatures and Venus Fly Traps!

If this is your thing, there is still time to visit, although this week there is a new batch of exhibitors. But I have no doubt their work is just as interesting as those from last week.

For information and tickets visit: www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk.

You bring the guests, we’ll bring the bubbles!

Choose from a variety of selections based on your tastes, or just to try something new!

Over the past few months we have been touring around the South of England promoting our champagne tasting parties. We know how popular our champagnes are when people get to taste them. Since the ability to taste via the Internet is surprisingly not something that has been cracked yet, (come on Apple…surely this is on the radar?) we thought why not make life really easy for champagne fans by enjoying a selection of boutique champagnes in the comfort of their own home.

We know that there is now so much choice in the market place, especially with the emergence of other varieties of sparking wine, it is hard to know what to choose. Which is why we have put together a number of tasting selections to help you choose, or if you tell us your preferences, we can put a special selection together!

Depending on your location, a member of the Real Champagne team can come to your home and run a private tasting for you and your friends or family. Or, if you are further afield, we will put together a tasting pack recommending the order in which to taste the champagnes, details of the blend, the growers and what makes them special. We will also share some hints and tips to bear in mind when drinking champagne and run a taste test to get a bit of friendly competition going.

Need glasses? We can provide those too so you don’t even need to worry about washing up. Or perhaps some nibbles to pair with each champagne?

Each selection has 1 bottle of 4 different champagnes, perfect for groups of 6 people. Each person can have a full glass of each champagne. Higher denominations can be ordered for larger parties. The great thing is, these cases are fantastic value for money and enable you to taste several champagnes alongside each other, which isn’t something you are able to do with the standard supermarket selection, or indeed many wine merchants!

Why not try 4 different styles of champagne and learn how diverse this wine really is, with our Unusual Collection.

Great for birthdays, anniversaries, wedding tasters or…just because.

You can see the full range here. For any enquiries or bookings, please contact us: orders@real-champagne.com or 01489505417.

Happy tasting!

Autumn Leaves & a brimful of bubbles

On Friday 5th September, we launched our latest seasonal collection at the prestigious Lansdowne Club in Mayfair. Steeped in history, it boasts one of the best social and leisure scenes in London. Since we continue to provide some of the best grower champagnes we can find, it seemed like a good fit.

This season we selected our newly explored “Champagne Island” – the towering hill West of Troyes named Montgueux. Little known or discovered by the British, given its “off the beaten track” location, this island is home to an incredible micro-climate, creating a style of champagne that we have not come across elsewhere.

Montgueux – 7km to the west of Troyes

Despite technically being part of the Aube, where one finds clay soils and majority Pinot champagnes, the terroir here is more the kind you would expect in the Marne, with chalky soils. But even in Montgueux it is different still, thinner to allow optimal drainage and maximum absorption of nutrients. Vines are planted from North to South for the best exposure to the sun. Champagnes from this village produce minerally yet powerful majority Chardonnay champagnes. The Chardonnay here is rich, smoky and full bodied, even with a younger wine, with aromas of autumn leaves and crisp, sunny days. An interesting comparison with the same variety from the Aube, which tends to be softer, with flavours of exotic fruits. The area is likened to Montrachet in Bourgogne, which has a similar isolated position and perfect conditions for fantastic Chardonnay wines. Unlike Montrachet, Montgueux also produces Pinot Noir – but not as we know it. These wines are much more powerful then elsewhere in the region – deep, earthy, musty and strong. When blended with Chardonnay, they work together in perfect harmony to create the most intriguing of champagnes.

Vines of Montgueux, separated alternately by strips of grass to further help drainage, reduce the risk of rot and encourage natural pest control

Our guests on Friday tried three champagnes from one vineyard in Montgueux, both 100% Chardonnay and a blend and all were fascinated with the variety despite relatively small differences in production technique. What was interesting was to see how the wines changed, developed and even improved with time in the glass. One of the champagnes received fairly low marks across the board on the first run. The second time around, pretty much everyone increased their scores and many were encouraging others to try it again “just to make sure”! They were pleased they did. Someone even suggested making jellies from it the taste was so good. We like this idea! And here lies the beauty of the work we do! The magic that unfolds when tasting champagne.

Our newest additions will be officially released soon. If you have been to Montgueux, what did you think of the champagnes? If you were stuck on an island, which champagne(s) would you take with you??

I know which I would choose…

Happy exploring!

Real Champagne

Our weekend at Little Bedwyn

Earlier this month, we treated ourselves to a rare Michelin-star experience at The Harrow, Little Bedwyn (the latter is the name of the village). Run by Roger and Sue Jones, this restaurant has built an exceptional reputation with guests from near and far. Roger is a highly acclaimed wine judge and with his wife Sue, travels the world looking for new food and drink experiences to introduce to their customers. Sue greets guests at the door and takes time to engage in polite conversation – something of a rarity these days.

The interior is divided up into sections, giving a lively yet intimate atmosphere for diners, allowing you to have a conversation without an impromptu game of Charades to make yourself understood!

The food menu is a journey of discovery, with various a la carte and tasting menu options. The basic tasting menu will set you back £50 per head, plus £10 for cheese if you wish. For those wanting to push the boat out, you can opt for the £75 menu, which has wines paired with each course. If it is your first time at Harrow, the wine pairings are a good option as the wine list is in all honesty a challenge to get through even for the most seasoned wine drinker. Testament to Roger and Sue’s extensive travels and exquisite tastes; they even have a wine from Japan.

The beauty of the wine and food pairings is that you can get the true experience of a perfect foodie marriage.

We began with an amuse-bouche, my favourite thing at posh restaurants, which arrived in an espresso cup…inside was a thick, red soup made from Tomato and Watermelon. A gazpacho with a cheeky hint of spice. I am not usually a fan of cold soup and Mr Heinz would be turning in his soupy grave, but this was a masterful creation using the humble tomato and “warmed up” the taste buds perfectly for the feast that was to ensue.

Next we were served Cured Wild Salmon and Cucumber Sorbet with small slithers of ginger a la sushi. But this was no ordinary sushi. The salmon was a deep orange, thick and juicy with a slight smokiness. It literally melted in the mouth. The ginger gave a nice bit of heat and the cucumber sorbet, a pleasant freshness. At first I found the sensation of an ice cold ball of cucumber a little overbearing, but when combined together, you can absolutely see what the chef is trying to achieve.

Following our fishy starter, we then had Grilled Wild Sea Bass atop creamy potatoes with a Lobster Dumpling elegantly sat alongside. All perfectly cooked, the sea bass was meaty, exceptionally fresh and worked extremely well with the slightly richer lobster dumpling, which surprisingly didn’t overpower the subtle fish. What I loved about this dish was the fact you could eat each part separately or together and it still worked. Sometimes there are so many flavours, a dish can become disjointed.

The meat course comprised Welsh Lamb, Minted Cous Cous and Isle of Wight Tomatoes. The lamb came as a cutlet on top of a pulled pork-style crisp pastry roll. It was accompanied by a rich, flavoursome sauce, with, of course, the perfect amount (a bugbear of mine in most restaurants serving meagre portions of gravy). A beautiful tower of minted cous cous provided the perfect accompaniment to the meat and the tomatoes added a burst of sweetness bringing the dish together. I didn’t realise the Isle of Wight was famous for tomatoes, but they really were impressive.

By now, we were getting a little full and had to decide whether or not to tackle the cheese course. In the end we decided to share one, which was a great idea as there was plenty to go around between two. The selection of crackers had been carefully thought out to complement the cheeses (which I discovered having devoured the blue cheese on the “wrong” cracker). Not that it mattered if you mixed them – all of the cheeses were delicious regardless of the cracker they adorned, but to satisfy your curiosity, there was a biscuit made from sweet almonds, which was destined for the creamy, slightly tangy blue cheese. Sue kindly brought us more of the cheese so we could experience this combination and explained that they stopped buying cheese from France long ago as the UK produce some fantastic alternatives. They are very much in favour of supporting local businesses and produce.

After a short pause, we moved on to the “Pre-dessert” – oh yes, this is a real thing. A cocktail glass filled with scrummy cherry trifle, with a generous dash of liqueur and an intense chocolate-y filling topped with light and fresh cream. How chef managed to pack so much flavour into a cocktail flute I don’t know, but I am now officially a trifle convert.

The piece de la resistence was – “Chocolate”. It needs no other introduction. A thing of beauty made up of a de-constructed, sweet, nutty macaron, a solid dark chocolate macaron filled with luxurious fondant, a sumptuous chocolate brownie topped with a chocolate circle and a fresh, fruity blackcurrant sorbet. All pulled together by a salted caramel tuile. Whilst the dessert was rich, each component offered the right balance so you didn’t feel uncomfortably full afterwards, yet the flavours danced wonderfully in the mouth. If you have no other reason to visit this place, you MUST go for this dessert. Be quick though as they change the tasting menus regularly.

Our second experience of Harrow at Little Bedwyn was as good as our first. Impeccable service, with enough time in between each course, friendly and knowledgeable staff and above all else, great value for money. Sure, it isn’t somewhere most of us would go every day, but compared to some well-known chains where the quality is rather overstated given the price, Harrow is excellent value for money.

We will soon be offering an exclusive promotion to our Club members to enjoy this remarkable place for themselves. We can even recommend some excellent activities for couples, friends and families to keep you entertained before (and after) dinner.

Happy indulging,

The Real Champagne Team

Pink is the new black…

Back in June (we can hardly believe where the time has gone), we launched our Summer selection. One of our all time favourite champagne styles for this time of year is the wonderful rosé, which has received some bad press in recent years. On our travels, we tasted a huge number of pinks and surprisingly, many of them exhibited quite powerful tannins and richer, more fermented characteristics. Either that or they lacked flavour all together. We felt neither of these traits were quite right for the summer, for those long, balmy evenings when you want something you can drink oodles of without necessarily having to pair it with food or coat your palate in such an unpleasant dryness that you actually need to leave the sun lounger to eat something!

The champagne

So, when we found the Brut Rosé from the Rémy Massin vineyard, we knew we were on to a good thing. Adorned in an elegant dark bottle (to protect the wine inside from UV rays) and a very classy label (new branding launched earlier this year to modernise the house style), this champagne, like others from the Massin’s is fresh, fruity and extremely sophisticated. A pale pink in colour, this champagne is made by blending still red wine (coteaux champenois, made from Champagne grapes) with the white wine, a tricky task to achieve the right balance between fruitiness and colour without being too overpowering. Sylvere Massin in an expert at this!

Here it is, the pink masterpiece!

On the subject of blending, most of Massin’s champagnes are dominant in Pinot Noir, due to their perfect location in the valley of the Arce river. They enjoy a larger proportion of sunshine, which means the Pinot grapes thrive and mature exceptionally well. So the rosé is made up of 85% Pinot Noir, giving fresh, red fruit flavours such as strawberry and raspberry and 15% Chardonnay, to give a citrussy freshness and flavour of apples!

This champagne is quite short on the palate, with a huge burst of flavour as soon as you have taken a sip. That said, the intensity is so great, you’ll want to keep the glass in your hand ready for a second, third and fourth, which is what makes this such a perfect tipple for the season.

Check out the tasting notes here, which are an amalgamation of feedback from our Club members at the launch event. Oh and this champagne is absolutely AMAZING with grilled meats (BBQ’s) and fish, as well as fruit tarts and salads (wipes away the dribble).

The vineyard

The Rémy Massin brand was born in 1974, after Louis Aristide Massin planted the first vines in the 1800s (homage to whom has been paid in the Prestige Cuvée Louis Aristide – a stunning reserve blending 12 vintage years).  The house champagnes were not commercialised until around 1975, when Sylvere, Rémy’s son, came on board as the “wine taster” and expert blender to create the house cuvées. Sylvere’s son, Cédric came on board in 2002 to help work the vines, whilst Sylvere focused on his passion for perfectly consistent, award-winning champagnes.

Father & son

Stand out aspects of this house: thermo-regulated vats which allow for good control of the fermentation process and especially great preservation of the all-important aromas of their wines. If the early part of the year is too warm, they can slow down fermentation by reducing the temperature of the vats and vice versa. They also keep their vines in optimal health by dividing the rows with patches of grass, to avoid soil erosion, flooding (a problem in this area with clay soils) and to reduce harmful pests and diseases in the vines. They pride themselves on minimal use of pesticides/treatments and don’t use chemicals.

Carole, the lady of the house, welcomes guests, deals with the marketing and communications and when she has the time, creates stunning hand painted bottle designs, which make beautiful and unique gifts.

Designed and painted by lady of the house, Carole Massin

What else do they make?

Other fantastic summer champagnes from this house include:

– Brut Tradition, a 100% Pinot Noir full of the classic fruity, deep flavours we expect from this variety
– Intégrale, the same as the Tradition, but with less sugar (0-6g/l), making this a low-cal, fresh aperitif with a surprising smoothness and finish
– Grains de Douceur, which sits at the other end of the spectrum, with more sugar than a Brut (17-35g/l), but less than a Demi-Sec. This is smooth, sophisticated and very more-ish (and fantastic with blue cheese!).
– Cuvée Louis-Aristide, the prestige house cuvée, blended from 12 years of vintage reserve wines. Perfectly balanced, bready, with notes of apple pie. Gorgeous.

Rémy Massin Pere & Fils have been awarded a Silver for their rosé in the IWSC 2014 and a gold in the Concours d’Epernay 2014, testament to their fantastic skills and efforts.

The champagnes are also available as part of our special Tasting Selection here or you can buy a mixed case of 3 of the champagnes here.

Try 3 champagnes from this fantastic house and appreciate the skill and quality for yourself!

Happy drinking 🙂