Champagne:
Champagne-making is the highly refined art of blending base wines into a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. These component wines come from different grape varieties (the white grape Chardonnay and the red varieties Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and from different villages and vineyards. And because only four or five harvests per decade in this marginal climate northeast of Paris provide the raw materials to make balanced, complete wines--that is, vintage-designated Champagnes, which must be entirely from the year indicated on the label--most Champagnes also combine juice from two or more vintages.More info...
Blending across vintages is the way producers are able to maintain the house styles their customers have come to expect. As nonvintage wine accounts for about four-fifths of total Champagne production, it is hardly surprisingly that the reputations of most major houses hinge on the quality and consistency of their non-vintage blends. Not only that, but the better nonvintage Champagnes on the market today are often every bit as satisfying as the typical vintage bottling--and a lot cheaper to boot.
Two districts of Champagne are considered best for high-quality grapes: the Cote des Blancs, whose chalk and limestone soils are ideal for Chardonnay, and the Montagne de Reims, which is ideally situated for growing the red grapes Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The Vallee de la Marne, which stretches in a narrow band across most of the region and is planted to both red and white grapes, is the largest area aside from the Aube district, which lies far to the south, disconnected from the other Champagne vineyards by almost 50 miles and generally producing fruit destined for anonymous blends.
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| Bollinger RD Champagne 1995 |
| 95 Points Wine Spectator
A dry, oxidative style, with whole-grain bread, ginger, roasted hazelnut and yeast notes lending complexity. Its structure comes into relief due to the dryness, but overall this is balanced and well-integrated, with a very long finish and an expansive aftertaste. Ideal with seafood and rich sauces or game birds. Drink now through 2020. |
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| Base SKU:3409 |
| In Stock:Yes |
Regular Price: $239.99
On Sale For: $189.99 |
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| Grandin Brut |
| A Methode Traditionnelle Brut sparling wine from Loire |
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| Base SKU:3348 |
| In Stock:No |
Regular Price: $10.78
On Sale For: $9.99 |
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| Grandin Brut Rose |
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| Base SKU:4186 |
| In Stock:Yes |
Regular Price: $11.99
On Sale For: $10.99 |
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| Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV |
| A standard in French Champagne for years, Piper continues
a fine tradition of tasty bubbly. Clean and dry, you cannot go wrong!
"A fresh, medium-bodied style, this shows finesse, with notes of apple, peach, ruby grapefruit, vanilla and toast. The refined texture and vibrant structure keep this focused and lingering, with fine length. Drink now through 2012."
91 Points Wine Spectator
"Toasty aromas leap from the glass in this deliciously mature wine. It is soft but still very dry, with acidity tamed by both fine, mature fruit and a creamy texture that sits well in the mouth. This is a very fine, tasty wine."
92 Points Wine Enthusiast |
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| Base SKU:963612 |
| In Stock:Yes |
Regular Price: $39.99
On Sale For: $26.95 |
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