We were very lucky today to have Tim Hubert and David Lamy from Jersey's J.J. Le Sueur and Derek Langford from Moet et Chandon here at Dunell's to stage a Champagne tasting, the first one we have had as a team. Tim and David wanted to showcase Ruinart Champagnes and Derek was here to showcase Greenpoint and a number of Champagnes from Moet et Chandon. What a lovely opportunity so we were eager to get started.
Green Point Brut N.V.
We started off trying Green Point Brut N.V. Green Point wines are an off-shoot of the Moet and Chandon Empire and combines cool-climate Aussie fruit with the finest French winemaking savvy to produce this Champagne bashing fizz. The majority of the fruit is grown in the Yarra Valley, the home of Green Point in Australia. The remainder is sourced from high up in the cool Alpine regions from their own Strathbogie Vineyard, and from vineyards in the King and Buffalo Valleys. This brut showed lovely Chardonnay fruit with a soft and fine mousse. Very mouthwatering and very easy drinking. Great length and structure. Fresh, creamy and elegant, this makes an ideal, price conscious apertif. Made in the traditional Champagne method. We all really liked this as a team and thought the presentation was good.
Mercier Brut N.V.
Maison Mercier, founded in 1858 by Eugène Mercier, is one of the great champagne names. Thanks to the drive of its visionary founder, Champagne Mercier has become a firm French favourite. Eugène Mercier strove against the odds to purvey champagne of the highest quality to a wide public. By taking part in the great exhibitions of the 19th century and conducting an imaginative advertising campaign, Eugène Mercier aimed to catch the public imagination. Champagne Mercier was to become a fixture at all major social occasions. The founder's spirit still prevails. The fresh, fruity, intense and spontaneous Mercier vintages fashioned by Monique Charpentier, chef de cave for the House, reflect this authentic, warm-hearted spirit. Moet and Chandon purchased Mercier in the mid 1970's and is now the biggest selling brand in France.
A blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, this expressive Champagne was bursting with pear and apple fruit on the palate. The nose was a little closed on opening but as a house style Champagne it was good. General thumbs up from the team.
Mercier Rosé N.V.
Described by Tim and David as probably one of the best value rosés on the market, this Champagne showed lovely black and red fruit aromas. Very clean, fresh and lengthy. A great aperitif. We really liked this and many were quite surprised by its quality.
Moving on to Ruinart....
'R' de Ruinart
We have literally just started to sell Ruinart champagnes at Dunells and we were delighted to have the opportunity as a team to try them out. Discovering Ruinart is an entry into the universe of the oldest Champagne House. A House which, since 1729, has created its cuvées in the same exacting spirit of purity, luminosity and elegance... characteristic of the Ruinart taste.
The R de Ruinart range is made up of a skilful blend of wines made from the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. "R" de Ruinart is a golden, lively, fruity champagne with the subtle aroma of white fruits which make it an excellent aperitif or the ideal accompaniment for a meal at which champagne is the only wine served. The full extent of its aromas will be brought out by a subtle, sophisticated dish such as lightly sautéed scallops.
When we tasted it we noted its fine mousse and beautiful colour. An amazing finish and great length. The whole team loved it and if we are honest, were again pleasantly surprised by the quality for the money.
Ruinart Blancs de Blancs
100% Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims, this Champagne is golden in colour with a lovely fresh citrusy nose. A fine mousee with delicate soft bibbles. Quite a full palate. Its luminosity is further enhanced by the clear glass bottle, a replica from an 18th Century model. Very nice indeed.
Ruinart Rosé
Ruinart Rosé displays a sublime golden pink colour with a touch of coral, accompanied with extremely fine bubbles that rise to the top of the glass in a thin, firm line. The nose is fine, subtle and fresh, dominated by aromas of cherry and freshly picked berries. This champagne owes its elegance and delicacy to its high percentage of Chardonnay (45%). A majority of Pinot Noir (55%), 19% of which is a red wine, provides a touch of fruity delicacy. We all loved this! An ideal evening aperitif.
Moet and Chandon Brut Imperial N.V.
Probably the most widely known Champagne in the world. It is an extemely accomplished assemblage of over 200 crus, creating a perfect balance of the three Champagne varieties. Year in and year out, you can expect the same quality of Champagne. As expected, this mass appeal Champagne drank well with good freshness, bright elegant fruits (apple, pear and white peach) and a good finish. Not everyone's favourite but always a consistently good Champagne.
Moet and Chandon Brut Rosé Imperial N.V.
This Champagne is known as the most extrovert and seductive expression of the Moet style. Dominant tones of red summer berries with an intense round palate. Very good. Mouthwatering and juicy.
Moet and Chandon Vintage Rosé 2000
Incredible orange colour. Very elegant and drinking well. Small mousse but very complex and a good mouth fill. Very few bubbles left in the glass after 3 minutes but it showed excellent length and we all throught it was quite delicious!
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2000
As expected, this was very good with lovely sharp nose and fruit filled palate. Notes of pear and mango. A few members of the team preferred the Ruinart style but all the Champagnes were so excellent it is almost rude to be so picky. It is not often you get to taste Dom and Peter was delighted to take this home at the end of the tasting!
End. A great tasting and such a fantastic opportunity to try out such a variety of qualities and styles. Thanks to Tim, David and Derek.