Enjoying Champagne

In years my past, my end-of-the-year blog post would be about the many Champagne varieties I tasted at the annual Wine Media Guild and NY Wine Press tastings, usually hosted by “Champagne Ed” Mc Carthy.  However, in the aftermath of Covid, the NY Wine Press no longer exists and the Wine Media Guild hosts very few events.

Nevertheless, here are some of the Champagnes I drank and enjoyed over the last year or so.

Champagne Ruinart Blanc De Blancs 100% Chardonnay from  a blending of 20 to 25 selected crus. Alcoholic fermentation is in temperature controlled stainless steel vats and malolactic fermentation is completed. The wine is aged for 2 to 3 years years and the dosage is 7g/l. The wine has hints of pears and peaches, ripe lemon, and a note of ginger.

Champagne Baron-Fuente Brut Vintage 2008 made from 45% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier and 15% Pinot Noir. The wine is aged in the cellar for 8 years and the dosage is 8g/l. It has hints of citrus fruit, white peaches, a touch of red fruit and a note of green apple.

Gosset Champagne Brut made from 45% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier. Malolactic fermentation is avoided. It has hints of apple, citrus fruit, lime, almonds and a touch of lemon.  8g/l dosage. Gosset is the oldest Champagne House in Aÿ.

Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Resere made from 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier from 50% reserve wivnes. Of the 60 Champagne crus chosen to produce this cuvée, 3 are pillars of the Réserve style. Oger:  (Grand Cru Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs) gives it its fleshy and generous notes. Ambonnay: (Grand Cru Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims) is synonymous with power, structure and fruity notes. Verneuil: (Meunier from the Vallée de la Marne) ensures its balance and smooth texture.  Vinification varietal by varietal in stainless steel vats with 5 to 10% of the wine vinified in old Burgundy barrels.  It has hints of freshly baked brioche, mango, apricot, plum, dried fruits with a touch of pistachio and almond.

Krug 1996 made from 48% Pinot Noir, 31% Chardonnay and 21% Meunier. 1996 was one of the best vintages of the century. It was the last vintage blended by three generations of the Krug family working together. It is made from 17 different growths. This is a  champagne with rich mature aromas, full ripe flavors, hints of pear, ripe fruit, citrus, honey, gingerbread, butterscotch and brioche. It has a very long finish and a memorable aftertaste. This may very well be the Champagne of the century.  Disgorged in 2007.

Krug Grande Cuvée 170 EME Edition Champagne  made from 45/55% Pinot Noir, 15/20 Pinot Meunier and 25/35 Chardonnay–the percentage depends upon the vintage. The blend is made from 195 wines from 12  different vintages, the youngest from 2014 and the oldest from 1998. It is aged for seven years in the cellars. All Krug Champagnes are aged in used small oak barrels. They are all prestige cuvees made from Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages and are aged longer before release. The overall rating for the vineyards is 98% with Krug’s own vineyards rating 100%.  This is a Champagne with hints of dried citrus fruit, gingerbread, hazelnuts and almonds, a note of honey and a touch of brioche. It has a long finish and a wonderful aftertaste. Fantastic!  When I tasted this with “Champagne Ed,” he said, “Obviously this is not just another NV Champagne.”

Champagne Krug du Mesnil 1988 Brut Blanc de Blancs is a very rare Champagne because it is made from a single plot of Chardonnay harvested in a single year. This 1.84-hectare (4.5 acre) vineyard overlooked by the village church has been protected by a wall since 1698. The vineyard is located in the heart of Mesnil-sur-Oger, one of the most iconic villages for Chardonnay in the Champagne region. This champagne is generous and round with hints of citrus, dried fruit, brioche, tart tatin and a note of honey. It lingers on the palate with a long finish and notes of honey ginger. The first vintage was 1979. Krug is Michele’s favorite Champagne.

Thanks to  “Champagne Ed” Mc Carthy for all 3 of the Krug wines.

Champagne Dom Perignon 2012 made from equal amounts of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The grapes come from five Grand Cru villages and one Premier Cru village. This is an elegant and complex Champagne with hints of melon, tropical fruit, and mandarin orange with a hint of jasmine and a touch of spice.

On other recent occasions with these same friends,  Judith and Nat they also shared the 2008 and 2010 Dom Perignon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!