Champagne News
Champagne Jacquesson
In 1798 Memmie Jacquesson founded the House of Jacquesson at Chalon-en-Champagne. Memmie Jacquesson was awarded a gold medal by Napoleon I in 1810. Memmie’s son Adolphe increased sales, in 1844 he invented the muselet, the wire cage that fits over the cork of a bottle of Champagne. He was created “Chevalier de Légion d’Honneur” by Napoleon 111 in…
De Watère Cuvée Brut Blanc and Brut Rosé
Cuvée Brut Blanc The Cuvée De Watère Brut Blanc 1er Cru is composed of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, giving it the perfect combination of maturity and freshness. Nuances of cinnamon and exotic fruit elegantly support the diversity of aromas. It pleases the eye with a wonderfully vivid foam composition while bearing a gold, light luminescent colour. This fine Champagne…
De Watère
Founded in 2011, the success story of this extraordinary taste adventure started with the idea of a family member of the De Watère’s, whose roots can be tracked back to 1086. Today De Watère is – among lovers of characteristic Champagne – known for its overwhelming taste and understated elegance. Created from a 1er Cru in the Vallée de…
The Re-birth of Piper-Heidsieck
Some interesting dates in the re-birth of Piper-Heidsieck. 1997 – The red label of the Cuvée Brut is launched. Symbolises enthusiasm, passion, excellence and extravaganza. 1999 – Cuvée Spéciale is dressed by Jean Paul Gautier, the first time a House has asked a fashion designer to dress a bottle. 2002 – Régis Camus becomes head…
The History of Piper-Heidsieck
Interesting dates in the history of Piper-Heidsieck. 1785 – Florens Louis Heidsieck founded the house in Reims. 1800 – Christian and Charles-Henri Heidsieck join their uncle. 1815 – Christian’s cousin, Henri-Guillaume Piper is involved in the family business. 1828 – After their uncle’s death, Christian and Henri-Guillaume Piper take over. Henri promotes the wine and…
Charles Heidsieck
Charles Heidsieck was founded in 1851 by the legendary Champagne Charlie himself. Charles-Camille was a dashing figure in Champagne, known as a dandy and a gentleman who travelled extensively selling his champagnes to the royal courts of Europe and American high society. He famously purchased the underground cathedral-like chalk cellars under Reims, originally dug out…
Billecart-Salmon
Founded in 1818 by husband and wife Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, the Billecart-Salmon House is rich with history. For nearly two hundred years, the Billecart family has been handing down the secrets to making exceptional champagne from generation to generation. Heirs of an ancestral savoir-faire, the whole family knows that it is their…
Champagne Collet
Created in 1921, Champagne Collet in Ay is the oldest society of Champagne growers and takes its name from its founder. The company’s origins go back to the Champagne Revolution in 1911 when winegrowers in Champagne took action against a number of producers who decided to mix grapes coming from other wine growing regions with…
Styles of Champagne
Styles of Champagne vary enormously. The use of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes generally prevail over minorities such as Meunier, and more often than not white and red grapes are blended. Exceptions are labelled Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) and Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir). The latter tends to be fuller bodied, as does…