Champagne is a sparkling wine made from grapes coming from the Champagne region in north-central France. Producers must follow rules requiring the secondary fermentation of the wine in bottle to create the bubbly carbonation. Champagne is a blending of base wines which, ideally, create a whole greater than the sum of its parts. These “base” wines come from an assortment of wines—the Chardonnay white grape and Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier for red—from various villages and vineyards.
Two areas in the Champagne region are thought to be best for their superior grapes: the Montagne de Reims, which is perfectly located for producing the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier red grapes, and the Côte des Blancs, whose soils of limestone and chalk are excellent for Chardonnay. The Vallee de la Marne, which lies in a thin band along most of the region and is home to both red and white grapes, is the biggest area other than the Aube district, which lies further to the south.
Each decade, there are only four out of five harvests in the tough climate northeast of Paris that generate the needed ingredients to produce complete and balanced Champagne, vintage-designated, wines. They are, by definition, wines made entirely during the year indicated on the label. Because of this, most Champagnes also blend juice from two and more vintages.
This act of blending vintages is the means Champagnes producers employ to maintain their “house style” and provide their customers with a dependable, and consistent, product. With non-vintage wine accounting for about four out of five bottles of all Champagne produced, it makes sense that the status of most major houses depends on the quality and uniformity of their non-vintage offerings. Lucky for the Champagne-enthusiast, non-vintage bottles are often just as good as their vintage counterparts—and considerably less expensive.
Decanter, 96 points: It is quite something to be invited to the launch of Champagne Veuve Clicquot 2008 at Clos des Lambrays, one of the finest grands crus of Burgundy's Côte de Nuits and acquired by LVMH in April 2014. It was rumoured to...
jebdunnuck.com, 93 points: Bollinger’s NV Special Cuvée knocks it out of the park. Made from 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Meunier, with 30% of the blend brought up in barrels, it boasts a rich, deep, medium to full-bodied style...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: A lovely rose in an almost vinous style, with mouthwatering acidity and a fine, lacy mousse carrying appealing flavors of ripe raspberry, white cherry fruit, star anise, mandarin orange peel and honeysuckle. Lightly...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 97 points: 97+ The 2006 Comtes de Champagne is striking, especially in the way it brings together elements of ripeness and freshness in a hypothetical blend of the 2002 and 2004. Smooth and creamy on the palate, the 2006 is all...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Cellar Selection. Just beginning to mature, this balanced, ripe wine is complex, with bright acidity, toast and pear and green-plum fruits. It is rich, with a tight mouse that shows intensity as well as a stylish...
Vinous, 94 points: Moët's 2008 Grand Vintage Rosé is fabulous. Light on its feet and gracious, the 2008 impresses with exceptional balance and crystalline purity. There is a translucence to the 2008 that is impossible to miss. Sweet rose...
jamessuckling.com, 91 points: A rich and classically complex style with boldly-stated, toasty, reserve wine drive. Grilled nuts, potpourri and dried red berries on the nose. The palate has lemon citrus punch amid a powerful pinot-esque frame. Drink...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: This ripe wine with its red fruits and well-balanced texture is beautifully ready to drink, with just the right crisp acidity to balance the soft richness. There is no sign yet of maturity, the fruit from this great...
Decanter, 95 points: Luxurious mousse in the glass with a very engaging nut, butter and fresh brioche nose. Elegant on the palate with classical notes of toast and almonds with a whisper of mushroom. Genuinely wonderful with a long finish...
Decanter, 99 points: This vintage has begun to open magnificently since its release, displaying remarkable complexity, yet at every moment clinging to impeccable elegance, coiled focus of malic acid tension and exhilarating chalk mineral...
jamessuckling.com, 92 points: Pol Roger's NV offering is looking fresh with gently biscuity aromas and peach and nectarine fruits. The palate offers plenty of flesh in an attractive, easygoing style. Bright and pleasing. Drink now.
jebdunnuck.com, 94 points: I loved the 2007 La Grande Année, which is based on 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. Over 90% of this cuvée was sourced from Grand Cru sites, with the balance from Premier Cru villages. Vinified all in older barrels and...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: This is a DP that shows the ripeness of the 2009 vintage yet remains full of energy. Gorgeous aromas of cream, apple, mango, honeysuckle, and chalk follow through to a full body and super fine, tight texture. Dense and...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: Some light toffee and lemon blossom aromas make for an attractive nose, with plenty of lemon citrus, white peach and grilled hazelnuts, too. The palate has a clean, dry and finely detailed texture. Lemon peel and fresh...
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