Champagne News
Boizel: An Exceptional Champagne House
The Boizel Spirit Each member of the Boizel family is proud to be part of this wonderful story and to take their turn as the holder of the family traditions that have been passed from father to son (or daughter) since 1834. But beyond recipes, blending secrets and customs, every generation has strived to enrich…
Boizel: The Essential Champagnes
Brut Réserve True expression of the savoir-faire and skill of the House: its best ambassador. Tasting notes The robe is brilliant straw gold. The effervescence shows great finesse with tiny bubbles in swirling columns.The expressive, fine and fresh nose opens on white flowers aromas (hawthorn) followed by an elegant fruity ambiance with notes of white…
Champagne Anyone?
Having been almost bathing in this stuff lately courtesy of some quite brilliant events and plain decadence I thought it was time to throw a few lines and recommendations out there for what is arguably the King of Wines. Charles II loved it and if it’s good enough for that philandering party animal then it’s…
Dom Perignon
I love Champagne, and have many favorites, but no other Champagne impresses me more than Dom Pérignon. I’m certain that quite a few of you are surprised by my enthusiasm for the Dom. After all, it’s so “out there,” so well-known, so available. You would think that a wine writer who specializes in Champagne such…
Champagne Henriot
Since 1808, Champagne Henriot, one of the last independent and family-owned houses in Champagne, has pursued a tradition of excellence – a fragile balance between delicacy, intensity, and purity. For seven generations, the family has selected only the very best vineyards, concentrated on the purity of chardonnay and has upheld the utmost respect for time…
What is an old Champagne?
Tasting an old Champagne is always a moment of discovery; a voyage into the unknown with the ever-present risk of encountering a bottle that hasn’t withstood the test of time. But, what is the definition of old Champagne exactly? How old does it have to be? In fact there’s no absolute rule but by general…
Vintage 2002: A Great Champagne Year
The climate in 2002 in La Champagne–as the region is called by its inhabitants–was just about perfect for a potentially outstanding vintage: A mild spring; warm, but not hot summer; with dry, sunny days in the fall. Alcohol levels were high enough, combined with good-enough acidity to balance the wines. Here are some 2002 Champagnes…
Blanc de Blancs: The Best Champagne Style?
I happen to love all types of Champagne, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would probably be Blanc de Blancs. Among Champagne lovers, this is a very controversial statement, because many believe that Pinot Noir, not Chardonnay (which alone makes Blanc de Blancs), is the region’s most prestigious grape variety. Or that…
Grower Champagnes
Grower-producer Champagnes–commonly known as Grower Champagnes–are exactly what they sound like: Champagnes that are made by the estate that actually grows the grapes. Grower Champagnes make up just a small segment of all Champagnes produced; 71 percent of Champagne is still made by négociant houses, especially such large houses as Moët & Chandon and Veuve…