Celebrate Bastille Day with Champagne
Nothing is more fitting for celebrating France than a bottle of Champagne, and nothing goes better with July weather than cold bubbles. We have three delicious options, at three different price points for this fun occasion.
The Fallet-Dart "Grande Sélection" Brut Champagne $34.99 comes from a grower with experience—since well before the French Revolution! In fact, this producer has written records of growing grapes in the small hamlet of Drachy in the western valley of the Marne going back to 1610! This incredible history has allowed them the gift of patience, and this wine has been aged on the lees for seven full years, making it one of the longest aged non-vintages in the store. It is composed of 70% Pinot Noir, 15% Meunier, and 15% Chardonnay and is vinified in stainless steel. It has a great nose of fine brioche from long contact with the lees, fine and focused Pinot Noir savor, and a round, rich finish.
The Petiau "Cuvée Prestige" Brut Champagne $49.99 comes from la Perle Blanche de la Montagne de Reims, the “white pearl of the mountain of Reims” on the east-facing slopes of the Premier Cru village of Trepail. It is composed of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, all from 60–80-year-old vines on the Petiau estate. This creamy, polished, Champagne is refreshing and clean but holds considerable complexity and intrigue for those willing to slow down and taste it carefully. The long, chalky finish is the best feature of this wine—a real knockout, especially for the price.
If you want to drink a prestige cuvée, we have a great deal right now on the 2015 Perrier-Jouët "Fleur de Champagne Belle Epoque" Brut Champagne $129.99. This wine is about 50% Chardonnay, primarily from Cramant and Avize, 45% Pinot Noir, primarily from Mailly and Verzenay, and about 5% Meunier from the 1er cru of Dizy. This elegant top-of-the-range offering has a super fine bead, beautiful baguette and white flowers on the nose, and a gentle, crisp finish that one could never tire of.
A toast to you!