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.

	Dom Perignon Vintage Champagne 2002 France 750ml x 6 Dom Perignon Vintage is -"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.	QTY:

	Dom Perignon Vintage Champagne 2002 Gift Box France 750ml x 6 Dom Perignon Vintage is elegantly presented in a gift box It is -"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.	QTY:

	Dom Perignon 2000 Champagne Gift Box Magnum France 1500ml x 3 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	QTY:

	Dom Perignon Œenotheque Champagne 1971 Limited Gift Box France 750ml x 1 Dom Perignon Œenotheque Special Commande Gift Box... Aged on lees for at least 25 years it is the ultimate expression of a winer whose style defies time.The term 'Œenotheque' refers to collection wines. The Dom Perignon Œenotheque is recently disgorged, which means the condition is excellent. They come in beautful presented and are the ultimate gift.	QTY:

	Dom Perignon Œenotheque Champagne 1975 Limited Gift Box France 750ml x 1 Dom Perignon Œenotheque Special Commande Gift Box... Aged on lees for at least 25 years it is the ultimate expression of a winer whose style defies time. A lush opulence on the palate is combined with a strong smooth balance blending fullness and depth. The extraordinary persistence seems to be everlasting...	QTY:

	Dom Perignon Œenotheque 1983 Champagne Limited Gift Box France 750ml x 1 Dom Perignon Œenotheque Special Commande Gift Box... Aged on lees for at least 25 years it is the ultimate expression of a winer whose style defies time.	QTY:

	Dom Perignon Œenotheque 1996 Champagne Limited Gift Box France 750ml x 3 Each Dom Perignon is linked to its creator through the inclusion of Pinot Noir sourced from the estate of the Abby of Hautvillers.Dom Perignon's grapes are sourced from Grands Crus vineyards in the villages of : Le Mesnil,Avize,Cramant and Chouilly for Chardonnay: Hautvillers, Ay, Bouzy, Verzenay and Mailly for Pinot Noir.	QTY:

	Dom Ruinart Blanc NV France 750ml x 6 Dom Ruinart is a 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay. A rare prestige cuvee made from 100% chardonnay with a remarkable balance between freshness and smoothness.Brilliant golden yellow colour, with an extraordinarily fine blend,this is superlative vintage Blanc de Blancs, Elgant citrus,grape fruit and brioche notes on the nose and palate lead to an initially silky mouth feel,with a firm acid spine.A very fresh and lengthy finish reveals a wine which is cellar well for decades.	QTY:

	Freixenet Brut Cordon Negro NV Spain 750ml x 12 Freixenet Brut Cordon Negro is a true Methode Traditional fermented in the bottle and made to the strictest rules governing the production of sparkling wine in Europe. Only the finest quality, hand picked grapes are used grown in the cava region where wine has been produced for over 2500 years.Its delicate, yet lively and complex flavours are ideal both as an aperitif and to be enjoyed throughout the meal. It is suitable for any occassion, anywhere. Today Freixenet Cordon Negro is the number one selling sparkling wine in the world and the toast of over 100 countries.Freixenet Brut Cordon Negro has an ALC/VOL 11.5% Cava Traditional Methode Fermented in this bottle- Sant Sadurni D'Aoia - Produce of Spain	QTY:

	Freixenet Brut Cordon Negro NV Piccolos Spain 200ml x 24 Freixenet Brut Cordon Negro Piccolos are a true Methode Traditional fermented in the bottle and made to the strictest rules governing the production of sparkling wine in Europe. Only the finest quality, hand picked grapes are used grown in the cava region where wine has been produced for over 2500 years.Its an ideal way to sample this sparkling wine, delicate, yet lively and complex flavours are ideal both as an aperitif and to be enjoyed throughout the meal. It is suitable for any occassion, anywhere. Today Freixenet Cordon Negro is the number one selling sparkling wine in the world and the toast of over 100 countries.Freixenet Brut Cordon Negro has an ALC/VOL 11.5% Cava Traditional Methode Fermented in this bottle- Sant Sadurni D'Aoia - Produce of Spain	QTY: