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Champagne and Imported Sparkling Wines
 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.
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Delamontte Champagne Brut Rose NV Le Mesnil France 750ml x 3
Delamontte Champagne Brut Rose NV blend is mostly Pinot Noir with some Chardonnay gives the wine its lovely pale pink colour and delicate hints of red fruit - strawberry, raspberry and even wild strawberry.This is a refined, somewhat smoky wine, the stuff that dreams are made of - for an afternoon or at dessert time, with perhaps a raspberry charlotte or a red fruit coulis. The Delamontte Champagne Brut Rose NV is a sinewy, taut wine laced with perfumed, energetic fruit. As delicious as the wine is, it is also clearly deeply informed by the Chardonnay of Mesnil, and I really wonder about the rationale behind a rose from a village that is so famous for its Chardonnays. To be sure, Delamotte’s rose is a pretty, harmonious wine, but at the top level, there is simply too much competition from houses with vineyards better suited to making top-class rose. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2014. Delamotte is best known as the sister estate of its famous neighbor Salon, one of the most storied names in Champagne. Increasingly, though, the Delamotte wines are noteworthy for their own merits. -By Robert Parker
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Delamontte Champagne Œenotheque Blanc de Blancs 1985 Le Mesnil France 750ml x 1
Delamontte Champagne Œenotheque Blanc de Blancs 1985 Champagne from the Côte des Blancs : Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Oger.Delamontte Champagne Œenotheque Blanc de Blancs 1985 Champagne has the liveliness and freshness of the Chardonnay imparts something quite special to this wine, also endowed with excellent ageing potential.Delamontte Champagne Œenotheque Blanc de Blancs 1985 Champagne on the nose, a basket of white blossom, apricots and peaches.Delamontte Champagne Œenotheque Blanc de Blancs 1985 Champagne the palate, is harmonious accents of candied fruit and ripe citrus.Delamontte Champagne Œenotheque Blanc de Blancs 1985 Champagne has a pale yellow in colour, this vintage is a festival of aromas, with joyful balance and delicatesse.Perfect at aperitif time, of course, but also with white meat, fish or soft cheese. 5-7 rue de la Brèche d'Oger - 51190 Le Mesnil sur Oger - France.
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Deutz Marlborough Blanc de Blanc NV 750ml x 6
Deutz Blanc de Blancs is only made when the base wine is of a very high standard. The growing season was wetter than normal early on, but was followed by an ideal long, dry autumn. This weather pattern heightened the citrus flavours in the Chardonnay used for Deutz Blanc de Blancs.The wine is a reflection not only of the vintage, but also the vineyard site. Grapes for Deutz Blanc de Blancs are always sourced on the southern side of Marlborough’s Wairau Valley, where the citrus-tinged fruit traditionally display great elegance and finesse.The predominant Chardonnay clone used for this wine is Mendoza, with its typical hen and chicken berries. This variation in berry size imparts greater concentration of flavour to the wine.The fruit was hand-picked early when the grapes had achieved good flavour development, but had not yet lost the crisp acidity required for premium méthode traditionnelle wines.
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Deutz Marlborough Cuvee NV 750ml x 6
The wine is light straw in colour. The approach is dominated by a taut and focused lemon flavour which extends through the palate to give great length. The Marlborough Chardonnay fruit, full malolactic fermentation and extended lees ageing combine to fill out the palate with toasty yeast flavours and an elegant creaminess.The wine displays on excellent palate structure, being both creamy and taut. The lingering aftertaste has a characteristic touch of berry fruit.
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Devaux Blue Label Grande Reserve Brut NV Champagne France 750ml x 6
Devaux Blue Label Grande Reserve Brut NV Champagne France.....From the largest producer in the Aube Valley of Champagne, a blend of two-thirds pinot noir and one-third chardonnay which spends three years on yeast lees. A fragrant and lively bouquet of apple, pear and herbs is followed by a crisp, apple-accented palate and fresh acidity to close. James Halliday Oct 16 2001 Rating: 93 out of 100 Unlike some NV champagnes, Devaux is given three years of lees ageing, and it shows. It’s a smooth, modern style, with bready, yeasty touches on nose and palate, along with attractively smooth vanilla-cream character and a light citrus tang. The level of liqueuring means it’s not the driest of brut styles, but the soft richness will make many friends. Ralph Kyte-Powell, Uncorked – The Age Epicure, Jan 2004.The Aube region’s fastest-improving, most go-ahead and innovative cooperative… Tom Stevenson, The Millenium Champagne and Sparkling Wine Guide.Premium Champagne of powerful Union Auboise co-op in Bar-sur-Seine. Very good, well-aged Grande Reserve NV…Hugh Johnson, Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book.…this NV is quite a bargain. It’s a soft, feminine champagne. Aromas of beeswax, apple, toasted nuts and honey are turbo charged by a fine mousse.Greg Duncan Powell, Vogue Entertaining & Travel, Sept/Oct 2003
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Devaux Cuvee D Champagne France 750ml x 6
Devaux Cuvee D Champagne France.....The nose, which features the pinot noir, releases aromas of white flowers. Followed by flavours of citrus fruits on the palate, which give a particular harmonious structure. An elegant and sophisticated Champagne. This large cooperative (200,000 case production) based in the Aube clearly demonstrates that excellent sparklers can be produced in this far-flung, practically in Chablis district of Champagne. And, they can be produced by a co-op – as long at the co-op is as dynamic and quality conscious as Devaux. Roughly half and half Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the Cuvee D is quite plump and fruit driven yet intertwined with appealing biscuity, brioche notes that contribute complexity and finesse.
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Devaux Cuvee Rose Champagne France 750ml x 6
Devaux Cuvee Rose Champagne France.....A complex nose with aromas of roasted pistachio nuts, pears and red fruits. Generous on the palate with a long persistent finish including hints of citrus fruits.
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Dom Perignon Magnum Champagne 2000 Gift Box France 1500ml x 3
Dom Pérignon is the most famous Champagne in the world, and for good reason. The bouquet sparkles with delicate fresh violets in a setting of white peaches. The soft delicate flavours continue while the senses are tickled by the most delicate of fine bubbles. Though this is such a fine delicate wine, the complexity is astounding, along with its length. Stunning. Dom Perignon -"Fresh, crystalline and sharp" ... the first nose reveals a unique vegetal, aquatic world, with hints of white pepper and gardenia. The wine's maturity then makes a gentle appearance before exhaling peaty accents
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Dom Perignon Rose Champagne 1998 Gift Box France 750ml x 6
Dom Perignon Rose is regarded as the jewel of Dom Perignon.. The aroma of malt rapidly leads into well ripened fruit, nectarine and wild strawberries,complemented by smoky,peaty accents. The taste progresses with strength - tense, radiant and sharp. The finish is firm, underscored with a slightly vanilla - spicy note.
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Dom Perignon Vintage 1998 Champagne 2 Glass Flute Pack (Limited Availablity) France 750ml x 1
Dom Perignon Vintage 1998 ... The sensation is one of diving into a wave: a satiny texture curls and unfurls on the palate, embracing and caressing it. An instant of weightlessness, matter vanishes, the finish vibrates, and the taste buds are aroused by controlled ardour. The persistence is remarkable,with just the slightest undertone of tartness citrus zest and buds.This gift set is complemented with two flute glasses.
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