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.

	Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1990 Magnum Gift Box France 1500ml x 3 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1990 is a full, powerful, nutty nose. Lovely palate, nuts and cream with an orange peel edge. Very firm, tight palate with a still powerful mousse. Vibrant acidity. Incredible length it goes on and on. Wonderful potential here, this needs another five to ten years of bottle age.	QTY:

	Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1998 France 750ml x 6 La Grande Dame, named for Nicole-Barbe. Inaugurated with the 1969 vintage, released in 1977 to commemorate the company's bicentenary, the fruit is sourced from eight vineyards; it is 60-65% Pinot noir from Verzenay, Verzy and Ambonnay on the Montagne de Reims and Ay in the Grande Vallée de la Marne, the balance being Chardonnay from Avize, Le Mesnil sur Oger and Oger on the Côte des Blancs.	QTY:

	Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1998 Gift Box France 750ml x 6 La Grande Dame, named for Nicole-Barbe. Inaugurated with the 1969 vintage, released in 1977 to commemorate the company's bicentenary, the fruit is sourced from eight vineyards; it is 60-65% Pinot noir from Verzenay, Verzy and Ambonnay on the Montagne de Reims and Ay in the Grande Vallée de la Marne, the balance being Chardonnay from Avize, Le Mesnil sur Oger and Oger on the Côte des Blancs.	QTY:

	Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Rose 1995 France 750ml x 6 La Grande Dame Rosé, introduced with the 1988 vintage, made with the addition of 15% Pinot Noir from the Clos Colin in Bouzy. Any doubts about the Veuve Clicquot wines, which have come to the surface particularly when looking at the Yellow Label and even the vintage cuvées quickly dissipate on encountering La Grande Dame. Both wines are frequently fabulous, comfortably hold their own when alongside prestige cuvées from other house, and are fabulous additions.	QTY:

	Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Rose 1995 Gift Box France 750ml x 6 La Grande Dame Rosé, introduced with the 1988 vintage, made with the addition of 15% Pinot Noir from the Clos Colin in Bouzy. Any doubts about the Veuve Clicquot wines, which have come to the surface particularly when looking at the Yellow Label and even the vintage cuvées quickly dissipate on encountering La Grande Dame. Both wines are frequently fabulous, comfortably hold their own when alongside prestige cuvées from other house, and are fabulous additions.	QTY:

	Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Rose 1998 Gift Box France 750ml x 6 La Grande Dame Rosé, introduced with the 1988 vintage, made with the addition of 15% Pinot Noir from the Clos Colin in Bouzy. Any doubts about the Veuve Clicquot wines, which have come to the surface particularly when looking at the Yellow Label and even the vintage cuvées quickly dissipate on encountering La Grande Dame. Both wines are frequently fabulous, comfortably hold their own when alongside prestige cuvées from other house, and are fabulous additions.	QTY:

	Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2002 France 750ml x 6 Veuve Clicquot Vintage ..the 60th release produced from 20 of the Maison's own Grand and Premier Cru vineyards and a stunning conclusion to the wines created by the House in the 20th Century.	QTY:

	Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2002 France Gift Box 750ml x 6 Veuve Clicquot Vintage is elegantly presented in a gift box for those special occassions ..the 60th release produced from 20 of the Maison's own Grand and Premier Cru vineyards and a stunning conclusion to the wines created by the House in the 20th Century.	QTY:

	Veuve Clicquot Vintage Reserve 1996 Magnum France 1500ml x 3 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Reserve ... Flavoursome and full, this wine is a stunning marriage of strength and freshness; an aromatic, complex wine which entices the senses and trantalises the palate.	QTY:

	Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rich 1999 Gift Box France 750ml x 6 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rich ... this vintage release is the perfect foil to fine cuisine. Rich has a higher dosage than the Vintage, making it rounded and full flavoured but not sweet. Sensational with Asian cuisine or classics such as Terrine de Foie Gras.	QTY: