Of the great wines of France, Champagne is the newest arrival. Champagne as a district has been making wine since the early Roman times, and by the ninth century it had become sufficiently well established as a high quality region for distinction to be drawn between the wines of the Vallee de la Marne and those of the Montagne de Reims. From this time on it went from strength to strength: by the early sixteenth century, the wine of Ay had become so highly prized that it was said to be 'the ordinary drink of Kings and Princes. It was not until the seventeenth century, however, that the first sparkling wines made their appearance, and not until the nineteenth century that Champagne came to be synonymous with sparkling wine. neither were the numerous special techniques essential for making Champagne all discovered by discovered by one person - notwithstanding the extraordinary feats popularly attributed to Dom Perignon nor at any one time.

The evolution of the present day method of making clear sparkling wine using the second fermentation took over 200 years. Champagne is a wine that appeals to the broadest senses, rather than to the particular. It is the overall impression it leaves in the mouth after it is swallowed which matters most .It is true that the greatest Champagnes are wines of extraordinary finesse, balance, and above all else length of flavours, the intrinsic quality of these wines is on a par with the greatest of the still white or red table wines. Just as the Burgundians place special emphasis on the bouquet, the Bordelais on the palate and structure, so the Champenois claim the finish and, in particular, the aftertaste as a special feature of their wine. Not that all Champagnes taste the same, there is a world of difference between a Pol Roger and a Krug,a Taittinger and Bollinger, let a alone between a vintage Champagne of one of the grandes marques and a non vintage, "buyer's own brand" from one of the cooperatives. Yet the overall consistency of the quality and style and non - vintage Champagne from the grandes marques exceeds that of any other category of wine in any region - an astonishing achievement, given the marginal climate in which the Champenois grow their their grapes, and the fluctuations in supply and demand which they so skilfully manage from making viewpoints.

Assemblage known as blending is the most critical stage of the long and delicate process which makes the finished Champagne. It is the art that made Dom Perignon the most famous oenologist of his day, indeed, perhaps the famous winemaker in history. Blending involves a detailed knowledge of the past, present, and future of the materials, and requires highly specialized tasting skills which can see beyond the often hard, acidic, thin, and chalky base wines that give only a barest glimpse of how they will taste once they have been blended, undergone the second fermentation, benefited from contact with yeasts during years of maturation on the lees, and been adjusted for sweetness using liqueur d'expedition.

The task demands the mental skill of a chess grand master as literally endless permutations and combinations are considered. The blenders at Moet & Chandon typically have 300 different base wines from any one vintage to deal with the possible permutations are beyond calculation. one of the most fascinating, and important aspects of Champagne is the use of "reserve" wine held from earlier vintages. It may be held in magnums under slight gaseous pressure, in stainless steel, or less commonly in oak.

Champagne house's such as Krug have reserve wine of up to twenty years old, although in diminishing quantity with age. They will usually be held over from vintage years,and,tasted on their own, can be superb. reserve wines can be used at three stages in the making of Champagne. They can be incorporated in the primary ferment, then most commonly and importantly at the time of  blending or assemblage along with the liqueur de tirage, and least importantly because of the tiny volume with the liqueur d'expedition . All the Champagne houses privately acknowledge that the quality and style of their reserve wines have a powerful influence on their overall house style, but tend to downplay this importance publicly.

Vintage champagne is strictly directed under European Union legislation, eighty five percent of the wine must be from the stated vintage year, which would allow generous incorporation of reserve wine. Under the appellation controlee of Champagne, the wine must be one hundred percent from its stated vintage. So reserve wines are customarily used in the blending of vintage Champagne - and to its great benefit-just as much as with non-vintage wines. The Champenois and the Comite Interprofessionel du Vin de Champagne are ever alert to emphasize their unique combination of terrior and climate. Champagne is France's northern most vineyard region. Without the special properties of its chalk soil, free - draining and sun reflecting, it would be a very doubtful area for ripening grapes.

At Chancellors Cellars we have assembled an extensive range of famous Champagnes for you to select.

	Pol Roger Brut Champagne Vintage 1999 Epernay Region France 750ml x 6 The Pol Roger Brut Vintage Champagne is one of Champagne's greatest wines, and is certainly a contender for 'wine of the vintage' in many years. It is a blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir, the only relatively recent exception being the 1966, which had 65% Pinot Noir, although some vintages from the first half of the 20th Century were up to 80% Pinot, and the 1928 was, exceptionally, 100% Chardonnay. The persistent high quality of the Brut Vintage is down to the combined efforts of the Pol-Roger family, with increasing input from Hubert de Billy, together with chef de caves James Coffinet, who was replaced in 1999 by Dominique Petit, who came to Pol Roger from Krug.	QTY:

	Pol Roger Brut Chardonnay Blanc de Blanc 1999 Epernay Region France 750ml x 6 Pol Roger Brut Chardonnay is a  fairly rich hue for a Blanc des Blancs, and a rather surprising meaty character to the nose as well. In character though it seems correct, with an evolving coffee and toffee seam belying the Chardonnay base. As it opens in the glass it reveals a little more minerality to the profile too. The mousse is nicely rounded, with a nice creamy-toffee flavour and as the nose suggested a full, meaty style on a broad base. This is stylish and even seems a little opulent, but overall it is very good indeed.	QTY:

	Pol Roger Pure Brut NV Epernay Region France 750ml x 6 Verzy, Verzenay, Mailly, Ambonnay, Mardeuil and Louvois; Chardonnay provides the lightness, elegance and finesse and is drawn from Epernay itself and the villages of the Côte des Blancs - Cuis, Oiry, Oger, Vertus, Moussy and Chouilly; Pinot Meunier supplies youthful freshness, vigour and plump fruit character with the grapes coming from the Vallée d'Epernay - Vincelles, Venteuil, Troissy, Damery, Vandières, Brugny, Chavot, Monthelon and Pierry. The result is a champagne which is subtle, light and elegant, with a refreshing trace of minerality. Mid yellow in colour, it has a high toned and aromatically spiced nose, with some elements of crushed apple, revealing good fruit intensity and weight. It is stylish and bright on the palate, with good length and very pure acidity. Ideal as an accompaniment to shell fish.	QTY:

	Pol Roger Rose 2000 Vintage Epernay Region France 750ml x 6 Pol Roger Brut Rosé .. A pale, onion skin hue, and a lovely nose, demonstrating a refined, mineral-infused quality. The palate is broad and expressive, showing some finesse, some marzipan nut character, moderate acidity and a nicely balanced structure. This is very good, and is for current drinking.	QTY:

	Pol Roger 1998 Sir Winston Churchill Cuvee Epernay Region France 750ml x 6 Pol Roger Cuvée Winston Churchill.... Very evolved, mature, organic nose. Very correct palate, balanced, creamy palate with great finesse. Still has some pure, honeyed white fruits. Lovely freshness, but evolving with great style. Ready now but should drink for a further five to ten years without difficulty. Beautiful.	QTY:

	Ruinart R De Ruinart NV France 750ml x 6 R de Ruinart is a skilful blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, of which 25% are reserve wines, 'R' de Ruinart is a golden, vivacious, lively wine. Well balanced, with harmonious notes of ripe white fruits,this wine dances across the palate.	QTY:

	Ruinart R De Ruinart Gift Box NV France 750ml x 6 R de Ruinart is a skilful blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, of which 25% are reserve wines, 'R' de Ruinart is a golden, vivacious, lively wine.  A perfectly well balanced wine with full, lively fruit creating an excellent aperitif style. With harmonious notes of ripe white fruits,this wine dances across the palate.	QTY:

	Ruinart Blanc de Blancs NV France 750ml x 6 Ruinart Blanc de Blancs produced from grand Cru and premier Cru chardonnay, this Blanc de Blancs is smooth and shows soft slightly honey and almond like notes on the nose and palate. An ideal aperitif style.	QTY:

	Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Gift Box NV France 750ml x 6 The signature of Ruinart, made exclusively from chardonnay grapes, it is beatuiful luminous wine. Ruinart Blanc de Blancs produced from grand Cru and premier Cru chardonnay, this Blanc de Blancs is smooth and shows soft slightly honey and almond like notes on the nose and palate. An ideal aperitif style.	QTY:

	Ruinart Rose Gift Box NV France 750ml x 6 Ruinart Rose is a fine and elegant champagne,with the distinctive Ruinart taste due to a high concentration of chardonnay with a beautiful colour of pinkish gold.Soft, balanced and fruity in style, with a rich, supple body and a hint of spice.	QTY: