Dec 17th 2010: Grower Champagne
My Favorite tasting of the year!!!!!
This is it. Our last tasting of 2010. And as it happens, my absolute fave of the year each and every year. We were the first shop in town to recognize the quality of these little Grower Champagne Houses, aka “Farmer Fizz”. I’ve seen this tasting go from 10-15 people 7 or 8 years ago to the most enthusiastic tasting every year. It’s the most talked about and raved about for sure. I’ve seen people claim that they just don’t like Champagne only to become loyal fans after the flight. Like I often say, If you don’t like Champagne you just haven’t had the right ones. There’s just too many expensive “Veuve Clicquot”s” of the Champagne world and these “Growers” just stomp those in quality and value! Many of these “Growers” aren’t much bigger than Thomas and Cameron and it’s amazing to me we can get them at all. Imagine trying to find Thomas Pinot in Epernay! The authority book on the genre, 4000 Champagnes by Richard Juhlin, claims that many of the wines we’ll be pouring can hardly be found in London, the major market for Champagne consumption. It’s through the tireless promotion and distribution of importers like Terry Theise that these remarkable wines even make it to these shores. And for that I am grateful! We had to special order many of the wines months ago to be able to even get them. They are not regularly in the market and that alone makes this a very special tasting indeed. And then you have the wines themselves……………….simply amazing. Those of you that have attended these tastings know exactly what I’m talking about. And for those of you that haven’t it’s time to catch the train. Giddyup!
The Fabulous Lineup
NV Andre Clouet, Silver Brut Nature/ Bouzy $40
NV Jose Michel & Fils, Pinot Meunier Brut/ Moussy $43
NV A. Margaine, Brut Premier Cru/ Villers- Marmery $45
02 Gaston Chiquet, Vintage Brut/ Dizy $55
NV Vilmart & Cie, Grand Cellier Rubis, Brut Rose $75
PREMIUM POUR $(9)
MV H. Billiot & Fils, Cuvee Laetitia Brut/ Ambonnay $95
This is blend of at least nine vintages going back to 1982! Vintages included in this wine are 82,85,88,90 & 96!!!!!
Wow am I excited. See you at the dance,
