3 Artisanal Champagnes for Easter Weekend

Easter is a great occasion to share a glass of Champagne with your loved ones and celebrate the arrival of spring!

You don’t need any occasion to open a bottle of Champagne but let’s just say it is a great companion for your sophisticated brunch menus, to create a fizzy cocktail or just to enjoy by the terrasse on a sunny April afternoon.

I got introduced recently to those 3 artisanal Champagne brands that I think are worth discovering.

Champagne Montaudon

This very ancient Champagne house was created in 1891 in the village of Reims. Run by the family for the past decade, it is now part of the Alliance Champagne group since 2010, which continues the passion and tradition of the family. Today, the style and heritage of Champagne Montaudon are respected and transmitted in each bottle. The signature grape variety is Pinot Noir, giving fruitiness and character to the wines. The M cuvée Brut is rich, generous, and well-balanced. A very seductive Champagne to accompany your greatest moments!

Cuvée You Must Try:

Montaudon Brut M Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier, 15% Chardonnay

Aromas: Pastry, yeasts, almond, white peach, and vanilla

Pairings: Apple pie, foie gras, sharp cheeses

Champagne Brimoncourt

Based in the historic village of Aÿ, Maison Brimoncourt was bought in 2008 by Alexandre Cornot, a former lawyer and art dealer with a mission to reinvigorate this prestigious Champagne brand that was created in the 19th century. In 2014, the first non-vintage Champagne was released on the market since the 1950s.

Recognized for its distinctive elegant and joyful style of wines, winemaker François Huré signs all the cuvées. The blends are mostly made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as Pinot Meunier is not a traditional grape from Aÿ.

Mission accomplished for the re-birth of Champagne Brimoncourt. All the wines that I have tried were extremely precise, with a fine and elegant bubble. On the mouthfeel, the champagnes are structured, fruity and well- balanced.

Cuvée You Must Try:

Brimoncourt Brut Rosé Blend: 40% Pinot Noir, 35 % Chardonnay, 25 % Pinot Meunier

Aromas: Sour cherries, blood orange, sweet spices

Pairings: Sushis, Thai food, pizzas

Champagne Collet

Champagne Collet is the flagship of the oldest Champagne Cooperative (COGEVI). Since 1921, Maison Collet has been producing champagnes of character, authenticity and elegance. Relying mainly on the best selection of grapes from Premiers and Grands Crus, Collet showcases the diversity of Champagne’s terroirs; wines that are made for gastronomy and to satisfy the most demanding clientèle of connoisseurs. Each cuvée has been developed so that it goes perfectly with all occasions, from apéritif to the most refined dishes.

I must say I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality and complexity of all the champagnes. Have fun discovering each unique cuvées!

Cuvée You Must Try:

Champagne Collet, Art Déco Brut, Premier cru

Blend: 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier

Aromas: Dried apricots, white flowers, apples and pear jam.

Pairings: Seafood pasta, roasted chicken, soft Cheeses