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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Champagne | 1 | 91 (WS) | HK$2,905.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (91)A rich and toasty range of poached nectarine, honey, brioche, graphite and saline notes is layered in a sleek and well-knit package. The creamy texture carries the flavors through the clean-cut finish. Drink now through 2022. 8,000 cases made. |
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Champagne | 1 | 94 (DC) | HK$4,980.00 | |||||
Decanter (94)Notes of dried fruit and candied lemon dance out of the glass, with aromas of fresh pastry and ginger spice. There’s also a distinctive toasted hazelnut element with a honeyed richness developing. Initial freshness is there, reflecting the lovely balance of this fine 2012 vintage, while textural creaminess evolves into toffee caramel on the generous, spicy finish. There’s more Pinot Noir (49%) in this blend, from the north-facing slopes of Verzenay and Mailly, and that’s helping the freshness, with the Villers-Marmery Chardonnay providing the silky, mid-palate richness. A difficult growing year with a very cold, wet spring and wet summer, was saved by sunny weather in the last couple of weeks before picking and resulted in a small, concentrated, ripe harvest, widely compared with top predecessors like 2002 and 1990. Tasted from magnum. Dosage: 7g/L. Disgorged: November 2020. 49% Pinot Noir from Mailly and Verzenay; 46% Chardonnay from Trépail and Villers-Marmery; 5% Meunier from Ludes, Chigny-les-Rosé and Rilly-la-Montagne. |
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Champagne | 7 | - | HK$3,530.00 | |||||
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The Paul Bara Annonciade Blanc de Noirs 2004 is a truly extraordinary and limited-edition creation from the esteemed Champagne house, Paul Bara. This robust Blanc de Noirs is masterfully crafted from 100% Pinot Noir grown exclusively in Bara's prime Grand Cru vineyards in Bouzy, an exalted Champagne region prized for its sublime terroir. Adhering to traditional methods, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and is aged for 15 years on the lees to develop remarkable complexity and character. The resulting vintage offers enchanting aromas of ripe white fruits, nutty undertones, and delicate brioche notes, harmoniously balancing intensity and finesse. On the palate, the Paul Bara Annonciade Blanc de Noirs 2004 delights with poised acidity and a striking mineral edge, encapsulating the essence of its illustrious origin. This top-tier Champagne is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail and quality standards synonymous with Paul Bara's legacy. |
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Champagne | 1 | - | HK$3,025.00 | |||||
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The Paul Bara Annonciade Blanc de Noirs 2005 encapsulates the true essence of Bouzy Grand Cru terroir, with a pedigree that displays finesse and complexity. This alluring champagne was produced by Paul Bara, a highly respected grower renown in the prestigious wine producing region of Champagne, France. The Blanc de Noirs 2005 showcases the Pinot Noir grape, nurtured, hand-harvested and traditionally vinified in the Bara domain. Aged for 10 long years in the winery's 200-year-old cellars, this vintage exhibits a finely-tuned balance of opulence and freshness. It boasts rich notes of golden apple and citrus, accentuated by alluring hints of brioche and honey, embodying elegance in every flute. A delight to the senses, the Paul Bara Annonciade Blanc de Noirs 2005 is a notable asset for any fine wine enthusiast, offering an impeccable taste of the Champagne region's splendid heritage. |
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Champagne | 1 | - | HK$2,435.00 | |||||
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Paul Bara Annonciade Blanc de Noirs 2006 hails from the prestigious terroir of Bouzy, in the heart of Champagne. Fifth generation vintner Chantal Bara meticulously follows traditional methods to create this unparalleled champagne. Made exclusively from Grand Cru Pinot Noir grapes, it embodies the essence of Bouzy, lauded for its robust, expressive wines. The 2006 vintage has benefited from a decade of ageing in the Bara cellars, giving it a fine, complex bouquet and an assertive palate of luscious red fruits, hazelnuts, and warm spice, underscored by vivacious minerality. With a creamy mousse and superb persistence, Paul Bara Annonciade Blanc de Noirs 2006 is an emblem of both the esteemed Bara maison and the illustrious Bouzy terroir. Perfectly ready to drink now, it can be savoured alone or paired with exquisite gourmet dishes. |
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Champagne | 1 | - | HK$2,130.00 | |||||
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The Paul Bara Comtesse Marie de France Brut 2010 is the epitome of fine Champagne meticulously crafted by the distinguished Paul Bara estate. Nestled in the heart of Bouzy, a Grand Cru village renowned for its exceptional terroir, this estate has masterfully produced splendid wines since 1833. The Comtesse Marie de France is a revelation in the world of vintage brut champagnes crafted from 100% Pinot Noir. Reflecting the richness of the 2010 vintage, it exhibits deep, intense flavours amplified by a minimum of eight years maturation. The Champagne's refined effervescence discloses enticing notes of ripe orchard fruits, honeyed brioche, and subtle mineral undertones, culminating in a long, resonant finish. With only limited quantities produced, the Paul Bara Comtesse Marie de France Brut 2010 offers not just a taste but an exquisite journey into the pedigree and legacy of the Champagne region. |
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Champagne | 1 | 95 (VN) | HK$4,595.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)The 2012 Comtesse Marie de France is wonderfully exuberant from the very first taste. Kirsch, lemon confit, white flowers, chalk and mint all grace this exquisite, translucent Champagne. The purity of the flavors is just striking, as is the wine’s overall balance. It’s all precision and class here. |
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Champagne | 1 | - | HK$2,520.00 | |||||
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Emanating from the eminent Champagne producer, Paul Bara, comes the distinguished Paul Bara Grand Rose Bouzy NV. Each sip offers a harmonious blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the esteemed Bouzy region of Champagne, France. Hand-tended for only the highest quality, these vineyards have been carefully cultivated by the talented Bara family since 1833. Made through the meticulous 'saignée' method, the wine exudes a deep salmon hue and lavish flavours. This non-vintage champagne takes centre stage with fragrant aromas of ripe strawberries and brioche, cascading into palate-pleasing notes of cherry and raspberry. With a precise, vibrant acidity matched with a gratifyingly long finish, the Paul Bara Grand Rose Bouzy NV eloquently showcases the quintessential charm of the Grand Cru terroirs. It's not just a champagne; it's a work of art patiently put together, standing as an emblem of unwavering quality. |
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