Some Gems Among Champagne’s Smaller Producers

Some Gems Among Champagne's Smaller Producers

December is the month Champagne producers love best, because as much as 40% of their annual  retail sales takes place during the holiday time.  An overwhelming amount of the Champagne sold will be by eight large brands:  Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Nicolas  Feuillatte,  G.H. Mumm, Laurent-Perrier,  Lanson, and Piper-Heidsieck. These eight Champagne brands…

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Vintage Champagne

Vintage Champagne

Until recently, the U.S. has not been a big market for Vintage Champagne.  Non-Vintage Bruts, the least expensive Champagnes, have dominated Champagne sales.  Those buyers who desired a status Champagne would buy a Prestige Cuvée such as Dom Pérignon or Cristal– not caring about the vintage of these Champagnes as much as the name. Most…

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Blanc de Blancs: The Best Champagne Style?

Blancs de Blancs best

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…

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Prestige Cuvée Champagnes ~ Part 2 – Medium-Bodied Prestige Cuvées

Prestige Cuvée Champagnes ~ Part 2 – Medium-Bodied Prestige Cuvées

Medium-Bodied Prestige Cuvées Champagne Deutz, Cuvée William Deutz 2000:  Deutz is one of my favorite houses, and I especially love its prestige cuvées, Cuvée William Deutz and Cuvée William Deutz Rosé (one of the best rosé Champagnes made, in my opinion).  Deutz has become even better since Champagne Louis Roederer bought a majority interest in…

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Henriot Champagne

Henriot Champagne

It was in 1808, under Apolline Henriot, that Champagne Henriot was officially founded. She was the niece of the very famous Abbe Godinot, who contributed to improvements in viticulture and the making of the Champagne wine. Apolline, an enterprising woman of great character, sold her wines both in France and abroad. The champagne wines became a…

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