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7 Champagnes To Make You Sparkle This Christmas

With Christmas & New Year’s edging closer we have been busy checking out some bubbles for the occasion. This category just gets better each year with quality consistently getting higher from cava’s & proseccos to your vintage champagnes. We have chosen a few stunners for you to toast the festive period with or just to some sparkle into an otherwise dull day.

Bernard-Pitois Brut, Premier Cru Growers Champagne €33.95

IMG_0440I was really surprised by this champagne at a recent tasting, I was not expecting the quality it delivered, it was an grower champagne, (grow & producer champagne)that more than delivers for its price point.

I actually wrote down that it had an intoxicating nose, I was lost in the delicious aroma my colleague started to laugh when I forgot I was there to taste.

It had a beautiful yeasty bready nose with light floral notes. All of these delicious aromas flowed beautifully onto the palate with lovely effervescence.

(its on my Christmas List) Available from Whelehans Wines, Loughlinstown

Beaumont des Crayères Grande Réserve NV Champagne €36.99 Now €29.99

This is a special champagne, it has two and a half years lees aging which gives it a great body with lots of those champagne characteristics that we know and love. Usually this length of ageing would cost more and is not that common in non-vintage Champagnes – or at least not at a this affordable a price.

This champagne has a fantastic nose; I believe the first word I said was “wow”! You have some beautiful floral touches as well as yummy brioche and nutty characteristics.

All those aromas flow delightfully onto the palate, along with some light citrus tones. It is a rich champagne with a lovely creamy mouthfeel and fine yet persistent bubbles.
A fantastic champagne, one definitely not to be missed!! Especially at this price. Available from O’Brien’s Wines.

Lanson Rose Champagne €54.99 now €42.99

lanson-rose-label-rose-nv-champagne-75cl_400pxThis house uses predominantly pinot grapes for their blends which gives them the richness and purity they are after for their house style.

This champagne is fresh and zippy with aromas of peach, mandarin blossom and nutty note. There is quite a bit of depth with this champagne giving some autolytic character with a hint of blackberry.
All the aromas pop wonderfully on the palate with a great mouse and has a lovely toasty finish.

I was really impressed with this bottle as rose always carries a premium but this champagne delivered all you would hope along with a savoury character. This is a really enjoyable bottle and I can also recommend their NV.

Available from O’Brien’s Wines.

Louis Roederer NV €52.99

louis-roeder-brut-premierThis champagne was one of the first I really loved. It is a classic style of champagne and has always been a joy to sip as it has always showed true champagne qualities.

The nose has lovely delicate biscuit aroma with touches bramble and floral notes and hint of mandarin rind. There is a lovely freshness to this champagne with the biscuit bramble flavours popping delightfully with fine effervesce.

I have never been disappointed by any champagne that roederer has made and this is a classic you will love.

Available from O’Brien’s Wines.

Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque 2006 €125 

perrier-jouet-belle-epoque-At the champagne academy evening held in Dublin this wine really stood out to me, apart from the attractive packaging there was a delicate but lasting elegance to it.

It had a beautiful biscuit aroma with nutty, earthy and floral tones with a delightful citrus, lime tone which gave it great balance.

The biscuit aroma was lovely and rich on the palate. This champagne has a creamy palate with light floral notes giving it some fresh youthful feel.
For price and quality, you cannot go wrong with this bottle of luxury champagne.

Available from Mitchells & Sons.

Krug – Grand Cuvee €195

The king of champagnes, a rich wine made from up to 120wines. This is no ordinary champagne, established in 1843 they only make prestige cuvee, so great care is taken over each and every bottle hence the price.

On the nose it has a delicious note of brioche mingling with fresh lemon, spicy lime, pear and a touch of touch of white peach.

There is a youthful edge on this champagne it is a big wine great depth. All the aromas dive onto the palate with elegance.

This is a special champagne with a fine mouth feel with a nutty toasty finish. You will feel spoilt when you pop the cork on this beauty.

Available from O’Brien’s Wines, Mitchell’s & Sons and The Corkscrew.

Louis Roederer Cristal 2000

Coming from one of the most iconic houses in Champagne this is a bottle to sip and adore.

Even being 15years old this champagne still retains a lot of freshness and aromatics. On the nose you find peaches and apricots mingling with floral notes as well as a yeasty nutty tone. Deep and complex this champagne really grows.

The palate is pure elegance with fine bubbles and delicate floral notes. This champagne also retains the freshness and complexity on the palate.

I would recommend getting the temperature right as you really want to maximise your enjoyment. It will also age so if you have the money and can get your hands on it buy a case.

Available from O’Brien’s Wines, Mitchell’s & Sons and The Corkscrew.

 

ARTICLE BY SUZANNE REDMOND

Wild West SelfieSuzi is passionate about wine, beer and whiskey too, not forgetting a love of food and travel. She has been a part of this industry for a little over 10 years. She has worked on level 4 in WSET during this time and regularly hosts tastings and staff training in these sectors. She has recently started a blog on all wine, beer and spirit related beverages. You can follow her blog at https://www.thetaste.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Febvre-Main-e1453804815474.pngsgrapecrush or follow Suzi on Twitter

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