đ·  Discover the Enchantment of the Heartbreak Grape đ·Â
Pinot Noir wine is the most highly prized wine in the world. Called "the noble grape"Â in France, for good reason as it has been coveted by kings and commoners in large part for its magical abilities with food. If you are ever ordering wine at a restuarant for a large crowd of people, Pinot Noir is a safe bet as it is most likely to compliment most people's meals!
Colloquillay known as the "heartbreak grape", it is a much riskier investment for both growers and winemakers than other wine varietals. The grape clusters are usually small and difficult to ripen evenly, the skins are thin and there is a propensity to suffer a variety of diseases!Â
 That risk is one of the reasons it is highly sought after (and can be expensive).  Andre Tchelistcheff, one of Americaâs most influential winemakers declared that âGod made Cabernet Sauvignon whereas the devil made Pinot Noir.âÂ
Having said that, however, we believe this varietal to be quite heavenly!
Champagne Gremillet Ambassadeur Brut NV
Regular price ÂŁ34.29 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A stunning Champagne that delivers on all fronts!
Tasting Notes
Fresh floral aromas combine with characteristic sweet brioche overtones, balanced by peach skin and baked biscuit flavours with a crisp citrus finish.

Production
The vineyards, situated in the southern reaches of Troyes achieve greater ripeness which leads to a richer fruit and classic baked biscuit flavours mixed with characteristic toasty yeast overtones. Only the first, lightest pressings are used, as is usual for fine Champagne. Classic slow second fermentation in bottle followed by maturing on the lees for at least 18 months before being disgorged and released for sale.
Producer
The Gremillet estate was founded by Jean-Michel Gremillet in 1979 when he inherited a plot of vines from his mother, Lulu. Today, the house possesses over 40 hectares of vineyards and is situated in a small village 45 kilometres from Troyes - the historic capital of Champagne - and 180 kilometres south of Reims. The vines lie on steep, sun-drenched hillsides in Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils. Pinot Noir is king here, and constitutes around 94% of Gremilletâs plantings, with the remainder dedicated to Chardonnay, ideal for creating a classic, baked biscuit, rich, fruit-flavoured Champagne.
A Note on Sustainability
This family-owned and run Champagne house is HVE 3 certified, and as much as possible it restricts its use of chemicals in the vineyards. One of its cuvées is certified organic by ECOCERT and hopefully, this is the start of a bigger process.
Awards
- Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021
- Silver at the IWSC 2021
- Silver at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships 2020
- Gold at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2020
- Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2019
Specifications
| Year | N/V |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | Champagne |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
| Matured on the Lees | 18Â Months |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites & Milk |
| Food Matches | Drinks very nicely well chilled on its own of course (but not on your own - this is the sociable drink par excellence after all!), but also recommended with light nibbles, salads and simple fish dishes. |
| Features | Vegetarian |
| Origin | Champagne - France |
| Appellation | AOC Champagne |
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Champagne CH de LâAuche Brut SĂ©lection N/V
Regular price ÂŁ31.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great, well rounded, fruit-forward Champagne!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromatic notes of juicy pear and apricot on the nose are underpinned by more mature aromas of hazelnut and fresh bread.Â
Palate
The texture is creamy and full-bodied with well-balanced acidity and plenty of bubbles!

Production
Grapes for this cuvée are grown in the lieu-dit of "Auche" around the village of Janvry which lies just to the west of Reims. Firstly they are pressed in small stainless steel vats, before being transferred to ceramic vats for 12 hours to allow for natural clarification of the juice. Next, the clarified juice is moved to large steel containers where it remains from September to March, during which time fermentation takes place before finally being bottled for the secondary fermentation and lees ageing. Dosage is between 9g and 10g per litre to give a richness of profile and this Brut Sélection is comprised of 60% wine from 2017 with 40% reserve wines from 2014-2016.
Producer
The Cave Co-opérative de Germigny was created in the early '60s by a handful of winegrowers who wanted to pool their resources and craft their own Champagne. They aimed to celebrate the local terroir - the western slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Today the Co-operative works 115 hectares of vineyards covering 40 different crus, of which 5 are classified as Premier Cru. The Co-op members remain passionate about their shared values of respect for nature, protecting their heritage and working together.
Awards
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 - Silver
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 - Bronze
Specifications
| Year | N/V |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | Pinot Meunier 85%, Pinot Noir 15% |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | Champagne |
| Dosage | 9g/l |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches | A highly versatile style of champagne which could accompany canapés, mushroom-based starters, cheese and all manner of poultry dishes. Although, simply sipping it as an aperitif works very well too. |
| Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
| Origin | Champagne - France |
| Appellation | AOC Champagne |
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2017 Champagne Gremillet Brut Vintage (Gift Pack)
Regular price ÂŁ65.59 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Approachable yet very proper vintage Champagne - perfectly expressing the very particular character of Pinot Noir from the Aube.
Tasting Notes
Fine persistent 'bulles', lovely nose - a mix of ripe Pinot fruit and classic baked biscuit, the palate has Gremillet's characteristic gentle, ripe fruit, some nice complexity balanced with a long fresh finish.Â

Production
Vines are mainly planted in the CÎte des Bars on limestone-clay soil on steep, sun-drenched hillsides. The first-press juice is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats (16° for the alcoholic and 18° for the malolactic) followed by secondary fermentation in bottle. The wine is then matured on lees for a minimum of 5 years, and disgorged with a 9g/l 'liquer de dosage' made from their own finished wine.
Producer
The Gremillet estate was founded by Jean-Michel Gremillet in 1979 when he inherited a plot of vines from his mother, Lulu. Today, the house possesses over 40 hectares of vineyards and is situated in a small village 45 kilometres from Troyes - the historic capital of Champagne - and 180 kilometres south of Reims. The vines lie on steep, sun-drenched hillsides in Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils. Pinot Noir is king here, and constitutes around 94% of Gremilletâs plantings, with the remainder dedicated to Chardonnay, ideal for creating a classic, baked biscuit, rich, fruit-flavoured Champagne.
A Note on Sustainability
This family-owned and run Champagne house is HVE 3 certified, and as much as possible it restricts its use of chemicals in the vineyards. One of its cuvées is certified organic by ECOCERT and hopefully, this is the start of a bigger process.
Specifications
| Year | 2017 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | Champagne |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
| Matured on the Lees | 22Â Months minimum |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites & Milk |
| Food Matches | Pair with rich fish dishes |
| Features | Vegetarian |
| Origin | Champagne - France |
| Appellation | AOC Champagne |
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Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut Rosé Champagne NV (375ml Half Bottle)
Regular price ÂŁ22.87 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Drinks Business Gold Medal Winner
'Aged on the lees for 3-to-5 years in cellars dug out of ancient Gallo-Roman chalk pits, this rosĂ© Champagne is serious, and seriously delicious. Displaying a medium âvieux roseâ hue and narrow cordon, the wine exudes summer pudding fruits and fresh bread notes. On the palate, the wine shows finesse in its light body, zippy acidity and âcracklingâ mousse texture. Nicely balanced with good length. Quite vinous, this wine is a lovely aperitif but will also work well with wild salmon or even light desserts.' Patricia Stefanowicz MW
Tasting Notes
This champagne has a special place in the history of the House. It is from a family plot of Pinot Noir in CumiĂšres that this precious red wine comes, giving our blend a unique personality.
Colour
An elegant light pink colour with shards of gold. Extremely delicate, lively and regular bubbles.
Nose
The first aroma reveals gourmet aromas of cherries and red currents, followed by notes of blood orange after aeration.
Palate
Delicately straightforward in the mouth. Flavours of wild strawberries enhanced by notes of mint produce a freshness combined with a very pleasant sweetness.
 
History
Founded in 1825, Joseph Perrier has been owned and run by the same family since 1888. Current director Benjamin Fourmon represents the 6th generation. Champagne Joseph Perrier owns 21 hectares of vineyards, situated in the heart of the region on the right bank of the River Marne, around Hautvillers and CumiĂšres â two villages classed 93% in the âĂ©chelle des crusâ.
They are mostly planted with Pinot Noir but include 2 hectares of Chardonnay. The cellars stretch over three kilometers and date back to the Gallo-Roman period. The chosen name for these cuvĂ©es is no accident, nor any false claim to grandeur - âCuvĂ©e Royaleâ alludes to the historic relationship between Joseph Perrier and Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, as the royalsâ Champagne of choice - probably the highest honour any Champagne House can hope to earn.
All the wines are made with a keen focus on freshness and purity, a theme which runs right through the range and really shows its worth in the vintage cuvĂ©es which show impressive energy and poise and remarkable ageing potential. Aside from the royal connection, Joseph Perrier has been associated with some pivotal events, which represent great human achievements, from the celebrations around Concordeâs inauguration in 1976 to, more recently, the Noble Prize in Medicine.
Aged for 3 years, the Cuvée Royale Brut of Maison Joseph Perrier brings together more than 20 different vintages with great terroirs such as CumiÚres, Damery, Hautvillers and Verneuil.
 Accolades
- Gold Medal - The Drinks Business
- Vinum: 17/20
- The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships: Silver
Specifications
| Year | Non-vintage |
| Bottle Size | 375ml |
| Cultivar | 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier, of which about 10% is red wine from our own vineyards in CumiĂšres. |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
| Type | Champagne |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dosage |
7g/L |
| Food Matches | With its strong personality based upon a vinous and robust fruity heart combined fresh fragrances, this wine is perfect as a summer aperitif, or as a partner to white meats, a dish of wild salmon, and desserts that are not too sweet. |
| Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
| Origin | Champagne - France |
| Appellation | AOC Champagne |
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Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Rosé N/V
Regular price ÂŁ44.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Nuanced and Graceful
Tasting Notes
Réserve Exclusive Rosé is a delicately nuanced Champagne literally bursting with red summer fruit flavours. A delicious cavalcade of redcurrant, blueberry and raspberry notes, combined with a hint of Gariguette strawberries.
From within its refined and vibrant structure, its clean flavours are extremely delicate and nuanced.
The Réserve Exclusive Rosé is a refreshing and exuberant Champagne offering fresh, light fragrances, and just perfect for summer drinking.

Elaboration
Aged for 2 - 3 years in the cellars.
The freshness and structure of this Champagne blend combine to perfection with the expressive fruit of the red wine making up 16% of the blend.
The Chief Winemaker adapts dosage levels to each Champagne in order to enhance its flavours and aromas. The choice of reserve wine is crucial and takes into consideration a whole range of factors, including the proportion of cru wines, year of harvest, grape varieties, and vinification and ageing methods, in order to guarantee the intrinsic style of each Champagne.
Blend
A harmonious blend of 10% Chardonnay imparting elegance and finesse, 45% Pinot Noir for roundness and structure and 45% Meunier for fruitiness and soft, supple character.
Medals & Accolades
-
Gold Medal - Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2022
- Silver Medal - Rosé Masters 2022, Champagne Masters 2022, Decanter World Wine Awards 2022
- 92/100- Wine Spectator November 2022, James Suckling Tasting June 2022
- 15.5/20 - Gault & Millau - Guide des Champagnes 2023
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Specifications
| Vintage | N/V |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar |
10% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, and 45% Meunier |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
| Type | Champagne |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches |
Simple pleasures - Tuna carpaccio, Bellota and goatsâ cheese bites, Red berry fruit salad, Strawberry shortcrust tart Relaxing Interlude - Spicy chicken samosas, Salmon sashimi, Red fruit pavlova Fine Dining - Roast duckling with turnips and cranberries, One-side pan-seared salmon âĂ lâunilateraleâ and green asparagus, Spicy prawns in coconut milk AS AN APERITIF: best served at 7 - 8°C. WITH FOOD: best served at 10 - 12°C. |
| Origin | Champagne - France |
| Appellation | AOC Champagne |
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