Champagne
Champagne, the epitome of elegance and celebration, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of sparkling wines. As one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world, Champagne has captured the hearts of wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs with its exceptional quality, refined craftsmanship, and iconic vineyards.
Historically, Champagne has been dominated by some world-acclaimed Champagne House, which source grapes and harvest from Champagne growers. These famous Grandes Marques include Louis Roederer (Cristal), Dom Pérignon, Krug, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Bollinger, all of them are revered for their notable names that display unrivalled winemaking prestige and pedigree.
In the recent decade, the emerging Grower Champagne trend in Champagne is shaking up the industry by challenging the dominance of the big Champagne houses. These small-scale producers, also known as "Récoltant-Manipulant" or RM, grow their own grapes and produce their own Champagne, showcasing the unique terroir and character of their vineyards. Jacques Selosse, Ulysse Collin, and Champagne Vilmart & Cie are among the most prominent names in this trend, producing some truly artisanal and terroir-driven Champagnes.
Champagne is primarily made from three main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. These grapes are carefully selected and blended to create a harmonious and complex flavour profile. Chardonnay contributes elegance, freshness, and finesse, while Pinot Noir adds structure, depth, and fruitiness. Pinot Meunier brings a touch of roundness and vibrancy to the blend.
The region of Champagne is divided into several distinct sub-regions, including Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and Vallée de la Marne. Each sub-region has its unique terroir, characterized by variations in soil composition and microclimates, which influence the style and character of the wines produced.
Champagne offers various styles, from non-vintage blends to vintage cuvées and prestigious prestige cuvées. While Non-vintage Champagnes typically epitomise the house style, the vintage Champagnes are made from grapes harvested in one particular year (top vintages such as 1996, 2002, 2008 etc), in which these wines showcase the unique characteristics of the specific vintage.
The prestige cuvées, often the flagship wines of the renowned Champagne houses, are the pinnacle of excellence. These exceptional Champagnes are created using the finest grapes, the most meticulous winemaking techniques and often benefit from extended ageing to achieve unparalleled complexity and finesse.
Champagne is synonymous with celebration, elegance, and luxury. Its effervescent charm and timeless appeal have made it the drink of choice for countless special occasions and memorable moments. With its rich history, iconic vineyards, and unrivalled quality, Champagne continues to captivate wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
Champagne
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Containing three bottles each of the Blanc de Blancs Les Blances Voies and the Rosé Grand Cellier Rubis, these specially released assortment cases illustrate the extraordinary success at Vilmart during the challenging 2011 vintage. A mere 60 cases have been released directly from their cellars in 2022. "For my part, a Winegrower needs two main qualities, “Patience and Humility”. 2011 is a perfect example of a vintage that was long overdue. We had to be modest in the face of a nature that was a little more capricious than usual" - Laurent Champs (Owner and Winemaker)HK$8,360.00 -
Vinous (93)
A classy, understated wine, the 2010 Grand Cellier Rubis offers striking depth and nuance. Now, nearly two and half years after its disgorgement, the 2010 is just starting to open up aromatically. The Rubis is deceptively medium in body, yet it possesses notable drive. There is plenty of depth in the glass, but it is more implied than overtly stated. The Rubis is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged November, 2014.HK$1,195.00 -
Vinous (90)
The 2013 Brut Rosé Emotion is more interesting than the 2014 tasted alongside it, as it has more depth and overall textural presence. Here, too, I find the fruit a bit faded, while the oak imprint is unusually strong. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Disgorged: April, 2020.HK$7,240.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2015 Brut Rosé Emotion is gorgeous. The Emotion is done in an airy, understated style that is more finesse than power. Crushed red berry fruit, cranberry, white flowers and mint all grace this sculpted, wonderfully energetic Rosé from Vilmart. Dosage is 9 grams per liter.HK$4,595.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)
The NV (2022) Brut Grand Cellier is another wine that benefits from a very strong base year. A burst of candied citrus peel, white pepper, mint, slate and chalk makes a strong first impression. Clean mineral notes extend the finish before wrapping it all together in waves of salinity. There's a feeling of exuberance in the Grand Cellier that is impossible to miss. This release is based on 2022, with 50% reserve wines from 2021 and 2020. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: July 2024.HK$2,145.00 -
(1x75cl) 2010Vinous (93)
The 2010 Cuvée Grand Cellier d'Or is warm, rich and open, with signs of early maturity in the bouquet that suggest it will offer its best drinking sooner rather than later. Hints of brioche, pear, smoke and slate add layers of nuance. The Grand Cellier d'Or is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. Disgorged May 2014.HK$1,155.00 -
(3x150cl) 2015HK$4,505.00 -
HK$4,180.00 -
(1x75cl) 2019HK$980.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2009 Blanc de Blancs Les Blanches Voies is every bit as stunning as it was last year. The combination of the warm year and the natural richness conferred by these 70+- year-old vines yields a powerful, vinous Champagne with tremendous character, depth and the pedigree to drink well for many years. Laurent Champs gave the Blanc de Blancs 7 years on the cork, as opposed to the 6 that are customary for the Coeur de Cuvée. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: March, 2017.HK$2,385.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2012 Extra-Brut Les Blanc de Blancs Blanches Voies is stellar. It offers tons of brilliance and energy, especially for a year in which most wines are quite a bit more radiant. It's a style that works quite well here, though. Crushed rocks, white pepper, mint and lemon peel all build as the 2012 shows off its alluring, saline-infused personality. This is an especially chiseled, finely cut 2012. I loved it. Disgorged: June, 2020.HK$1,700.00 -
HK$9,115.00 -
HK$6,035.00 -
Experience the exquisite Vollereaux Brut Reserve NV, crafted with meticulous care by the Vollereaux family in the renowned Champagne region of France. This prestigious house, operating for six generations, embodies. French wine-making heritage at its finest. The Vollereaux Brut Reserve NV is a sublime encapsulation of their commitment to excellence.
A blend of Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir, this sparkling wine undergoes a traditional, second fermentation in the bottle, creating its signature effervescence. Laden with bright, orchard fruit flavours, it captivates with its complex, layered taste and a lengthy finish, testament to a 3-year maturation process in their historic cellars.
Remarkably well-balanced, the Vollereaux Brut Reserve NV is a standout choice for those seeking elegance and finesse in their Champagne. Whether for celebrations or casual indulgence, add a touch of class with this fine Champagne.
HK$2,280.00 -
(3x150cl) NVVinous (94)
(100% chardonnay, from 2007; disgorged 09-11-10/R07): Light, bright gold. An intensely perfumed nose displays dried pear, orange pith, vanilla bean and candied ginger, with suave leesy and iodine notes gaining strength with aeration. Deeply pitched and emphatically dry, with strikingly powerful orchard fruit and candied citrus flavors deepened by notes of anise, vanilla and chamomile. Finishes firm and gripping, leaving spice and bitter almond notes behind. An extremely young, intense and uncompromising Champagne that should be left to rest for at least a few more years.HK$5,000.00 -
(3x75cl) 2010Crafted by the renowned Bertrand Gautherot, the Vouette et Sorbee Sobre Extra Brut 2010 is an extraordinary showcase of fine French winemaking. Hailing from the Champagne region, this wine rides the delicate balance between splendid richness and enticing minerality. Grown in a biodynamic vineyard, its grapes are hand-picked, lending an organic integrity to each bottle. This magnificent vintage offers a complex blend of stone fruit and brioche with a whisper of earthy undertones. The palate is full-bodied and lavish, precisely enunciated with a resonant finish. Aged for at least 24 months, the Vouette et Sorbee Sobre Extra Brut 2010's effervescence is refined and subtle. On the pour, its golden hues flirt with the light, foreshadowing the opulence that awaits. Elegant and respectable, the Vouette et Sorbee Sobre Extra Brut 2010 is a testament to Gautherot's perspicacious and principled approach to viticulture. Truly, a remarkable addition to any wine aficionado's collection.
HK$4,485.00 -
(6x75cl) 2008Experience the exquisite nuances of Vranken Diamant Blanc Brut 2008, a fine wine crafted by the esteemed Vranken Pommery Monopole - notably one of France's largest Champagne producers. This fine brut was birthed in the auspicious cellars of Dizy, Epernay, at the heart of the renowned Champagne region. Its production is a testament to fine wine craftsmanship, featuring an extraordinary blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, all harvested during the remarkable 2008 growing season.
Vranken Diamant Blanc Brut 2008 boasts an intricate bouquet of toasted almonds, ripe quince, and subtle biscuit, enhanced by a creamy, lingering fizz that encapsulates true Champagne sophistication. Its loamy limestone terroir imparts distinct mineral inflections, contributing a profound complexity to this effervescent vintage. The bottle, echoing a diamond's facets, truly reflects the Vranken Diamant Blanc Brut 2008's dazzling brilliance. A gem amongst connoisseurs, it embodies the epitome of time-honoured tradition and French finesse.
HK$3,295.00 -
Vranken Diamant Brut NV exemplifies the pinnacle of Belgian sparkling excellence, meticulously crafted by the esteemed Vranken-Pommery Monopole in the renowned Pajottenland region. This distinguished Brut is produced using the traditional méthode champenoise, ensuring each delicate bubble is a testament to time-honoured techniques. A harmonious blend of精选Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, handpicked from the finest vineyards, undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle, imparting complexity and finesse. The wine is aged for a minimum of 36 months on lees, allowing it to develop its signature richness and creamy texture. On the nose, Vranken Diamant Brut NV reveals intricate aromas of citrus zest, brioche, and subtle floral notes, while the palate is elegantly balanced with vibrant acidity and a persistent, refined finish. Ideal for both celebratory occasions and sophisticated dining, this exquisite Brut embodies the passion and expertise that Vranken-Pommery Monopole is renowned for worldwide.
HK$3,440.00
