Here’s a little inspiration from the team, with our top picks from the current champagne sale.
Emmanuel in IT swears by Drappier’s Brut Nature: “This is the only champagne I drink, as it’s very refined and has no dosage, making it ideal for aperitif. It’s one of the best champagnes in this price range, to my mind. We also went to visit the Drappier family last year, it was great to see the domain and meet the people behind the champagnes.”
Grace in international marketing has chosen a new favourite, the cuvée Latitude Extra Brut from Larmandier-Bernier: “I tasted this champagne a few weeks ago and I loved it. A 100% Chardonnay matured in barrels, it was at once well-rounded, rich and refined, with very little dosage. Very elegant and incredibly pure.”
Hannah, our much-loved marketing intern, goes weak at the knees for Franck Pascal’s Harmonie Extra Brut 2009: “A champagne with very little dosage, elegant and fruity on the nose. It has a lovely vinous side, an excellent blanc de noirs not all that different to that which I like about Bollinger champagnes.”
Raphaël, business development manager, recommend the cuvée Sainte-Anne Brut from domain Chartogne-Taillet: “A great champagne produced from a blend of Champagne’s three grape varieties. It stands out for its generosity and lovely balance between roundness on the palate and tension on the finish.”
For Justine, Jacquesson’s ‘dégorgement tardifs’ (champagnes which are left to age in the house’s cellars before being disgorged) are a must-have, for instance the Cuvée 737 DT (Dégorgement Tardif): “A wonderful champagne that combines power with freshness and can even save a meal: if you’re stuck for ideas or haven’t thought about food and wine pairings, it’s the perfect solution. Truly a wine for food, whether it’s with fish, white meats or even foie gras.”
Astrid, customer service manager, recommends the cuvée L’Amateur Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut from David Leclapart: “I chose this Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut for its purity, nothing is added, and all you have is the taste of the grapes. Divine!”
Jean-Baptiste, project manager, opts for the cuvée Les Murgiers Extra Brut Pur Meunier from Francis Boulard: “For the purity of its fruit and its opulence, imparted by the high proportion of reserve wines added. A great gastronomic champagne, acclaimed by critics.”
Elsa in marketing takes us off the beaten track with her choice, a champagne with a difference. In that it’s not quite a champagne: “Oliver Horiot’s Rosé des Riceys En Valingrain 2014 is actually a still rosé, it’s absolutely delicious, fresh, well-rounded and digestible. I discovered this unusual wine from the Champagne region when I was interning there, just next to the village of Riceys and had the opportunity of tasting the wine again at a recent iDealwine masterclass. I love it!
