CHAMPAGNE
Bordeaux,Burgundy,Champagne,Loire,Rhone, Rest of France
Grower Champagne
What is grower champagne?
Basically this is a champagne made by the persons who own the vineyards themselves. This is different from big name,industrial-scale houses who use both grapes they own mixing with grapes they buy.
Champagne is the last major wine region in France that is still dominated by negociants. Burgundy,for example, woke up a couple of centuries ago and ,as the result, we have great wines produced by the domaine today. The same thing is happenning in Champagne.
Small is beautiful
Quantity : Often much more limited than million-cases big brand factory. We’re talking about hundred cases in general
Is the quality always high for every grower? Like every regions, they are so-so grower champagne and there are good ones.Know your producer.
Champagne Andre Clouet
Grand Cru only champagne from the village of Bouzy. My first encounter with Clouet was by a strong encouragement from Badie’s sommelier in Bordeaux. Since then the name sticks in my mind. There was no hesitation to make Andre Clouet the first producer in our Grower Champagne Selection
Champagne Egly-Ouriet
I hesitated for a long time about Champagne Egly-Ouriet. There’s no doubt about their quality as I’m a firm admirer of their champagne. But would the brand dominted market welcome it?
I think,at the end,quality prevails. It won’t be easy,it will take time but we have faith in them. Better late than never,I’m glad to report that one of the best champagne producers is now available in Thailand.
Past recognitions include,
- Egly-Ouriet’s Champagnes are so good,I have begun buying them to drink at home:Robert Parker
- Few producers can equal Francis Egly in skill and experience, and larger houses cannot hope to emulate his cultivation norms :Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve
- Best Champagne producers,along side Krug and Salon : La Revue du Vin de France
- If there are any Champagnes that fit the often-used description of ‘Burgundy with bubbles’, Egly-Ouriet’s would be the leading candidate : Peter Liem, Champagne specialist
Champagne Pierre Peters
To complete the portfolio, we need Blanc de Blancs champagne. Le Mesnil sur Oger arguably produces the best Blanc de Blancs. Therefore,it’s logical that our Blanc de Blancs specialist is based here. Champagne Pierre Peters is one of the best growers in Le Mesnil sur Oger. Their champagne are crystalline,mineral and elegant.
Past recognitions include,
- Precise,elegant and highly recommendable : Guide Bettane et Dessauve
- Superb clarity,depth and polish : Wine Advocate
- Sleek,racy champagne. Expressing a classic character of Cotes des Blancs : Peter Liem
- Cuvee Les Chetillons Millesime regularly gets 94-95 points from Parker
Champagne Vouette et Sorbée
Where do I begin to describe how special they are?
Despite being relatively new,Champagne Vouette et Sorbee is one of the most sought after producers in Champagne.Monsieur Gautherot is a perfectionist who seeks nothing but the best. He got his vines from some of the best sources, Anselm Selosse and Vincent Dauvissat Chablis The domaine is very rare as they are certified biodynamic viticulture. Furthermore,he keeps his own cows to produce manure as he believe it helps in controlling the quality. The domaine is named after the terroir, Vouette vineyard and Sorbee vineyard. Terroir driven,in other words. I could go on but the best thing is to try it yourself and see why they become such a sensation among connoisseurs.
Past recognitions include,
- Vouette et Sorbee is one of the most beautiful and distinctive champagnes: Wine Advocate
- One of Champagne’s most sought-after producers : Peter Liem
- Nothing prepared me for the exquisite palate, the linear tension and the discreet effervescence. The complex flavors are nothing short of stunning : Sommelier Journal