>From the LA TImes. Not sure if these are available here.
Cheers,
J
Seek out grower Champagnes for a holiday thrill
Recommended grower Champagnes
The 2004 Champagne Lebrun-Servenay “Vieilles Vignes” Brut Grand Cru, the
2009 Guy Charlemagne Champagne “Cuvée Charlemagne” Grand Cru Blanc de
Blancs Brut and the NV Serge Mathieu “Select Tête de Cuvée” Brut. (Anne
Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
By S. Irene Virbila contact the reporter
Wines Dining and Drinking
.@sirenevirbila recommends grower Champagnes to bring a little thrill to
your holiday bubbly selection
It just doesn't seem like the holidays without breaking out a bottle of
Champagne at least once. The Grande Marques — those well-known Champagne
houses such as Taittinger, Pol Roger, Moet-Chandon, Krug and more — are
always welcome. But what about showing up with something less obvious? The
bottle may not be as elegantly packaged, but what's inside can be thrilling
and revelatory. Most good wine shops have at least a few grower Champagnes,
made by the family that grows the grapes. Some of these smaller estates own
Grand Cru or other notable vineyards, and the prices for their top
Champagnes can be a relative bargain.
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Can't find these exact bottles? Not to worry. Go with whatever grower
Champagnes your favorite wine shop has sought out for the season. Plan to
spend $45 on up.
2004 Champagne Lebrun-Servenay "Vieilles Vignes" Brut Grand Cru
Guy Charlemagne is a very consistent underrated producer, love his
wines. His NV BdB is also lovely. Great recommendations!
A Grand Cru made from 100% Chardonnay sourced from 40- to 80-year-old vines
in the Côtes des Blancs, this elegant Champagne spends nine years on the
lees. The 2004, scented with honey and hazelnuts, is crisp and fresh, and
yet wonderfully complex and creamy, with a long-lingering finish. A class
act. (About $70.)
Available at BestWinesOnline in Santa Ana, (888) 817-8880;
www.bestwinesonline.com; Wally's Wine & Spirits in West Los Angeles, (310)
475-0606, www.wallywine.com; and Woodland Hills Wine Co. in Woodland Hills,
(818) 222-1111 and (800) 678-9463; www.whwc.com.
2009 Guy Charlemagne Champagne "Cuvée Charlemagne" Grand Cru Blanc de
Blancs Brut
The Cuvée Charlemagne from Guy Charlemagne (love saying that name) is made
only in top vintages. The grapes for the 2009 originate from Le
Mesnil-Sur-Oger and Oger in the Côtes des Blancs. Of course, this Grand Cru
is Blanc de Blancs — all Chardonnay. With its mass of fine bubbles,
inviting scent of lemon and sun-dried fruit, and its long, silky finish,
Cuvée Charlemagne holds its own with the big boys. (About $50.)
Available at Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, (949) 650-8463,
www.hitimewine.net; Wine Exchange in Orange, (800) 76WINEX, www.winex.com;
Woodland Hills Wine Co. in Woodland Hills, (818) 222-1111,www.whwc.com.
NV Serge Mathieu "Select Tête de Cuvée" Brut
The top wine of this family-owned Champagne house, the Tête de Cuvée Brut
is 70% Chardonnay with the balance made up of Pinot Noir from the Mathieu
family's best vineyards. On the nose, it's toasted hazelnuts and a touch of
lime, with more citrus and tropical fruit in the taste. Beautifully complex
and a great Champagne for the price. (About $45.)
Available at BestWinesOnline in Santa Ana, (888) 817-8880;
www.bestwinesonline.com; Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, (949)
650-8463, www.hitimewine.net; and Woodland Hills Wine Co. in Woodland
Hills, (818) 222-1111, www.whwc.com.
irene.virbila(a)latimes.com
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James Ellingson cell 651 645 0753
Great Lakes Brewing News, 5219 Elliot Ave, Mpls, MN 55417
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