France - All Sparkling Wines
Several regions in France are renowned for producing sparkling wine, but the most famous and prestigious are Champagne, Alsace, and the Loire Valley.
Champagne is the most well-known region for producing sparkling wine, and the name "Champagne" is protected by law to designate only the sparkling wines made in that region. The climate and soil of the Champagne region, located in northeastern France, are ideal for growing the grapes used to make sparkling wine, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Some notable Champagne houses include Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Dom Pérignon.
Alsace, located in northeastern France, is also known for producing high-quality sparkling wine, primarily made from Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Riesling grapes. The wines from Alsace are typically drier and crisper than Champagne, with a more pronounced fruitiness. Notable producers include Domaine Bruno Sorg, Domaine Mittnacht Frères, and Domaine Weinbach.
The Loire Valley, located in central France, is another region known for producing excellent sparkling wine, made primarily from Chenin Blanc grapes. The wines from the Loire Valley tend to be lighter and fresher than those from Champagne, with a more pronounced acidity and minerality. Notable producers include Bouvet Ladubay, Langlois-Château, and Domaine des Baumard.
Other regions in France that produce sparkling wine include Burgundy, which produces Crémant de Bourgogne; Limoux in Languedoc-Roussillon, which is known for its Blanquette de Limoux; and the Jura region, which produces sparkling wine made from the Savagnin grape. However, Champagne, Alsace, and the Loire Valley remain the most well-known and respected regions for producing sparkling wine in France.
France - All Sparkling Wines
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Steeped in luxury, the Larmandier Bernier Vieille Vigne du Levant Grand Cru 2012 is a stunning display of skill from Larmandier Bernier, a noteworthy Champagne producer. Drawing from old vines at Côte des Blancs, this wine embodies the terroir's chalky essence. Committed to biodynamic principle, the Larmandier family meticulously cultivates this single-varietal Chardonnay without artificial interference. Harvested manually, it undergoes natural fermentation and prolonged lees aging, contributing to its rich complexity.
The outcome? The Larmandier Bernier Vieille Vigne du Levant Grand Cru 2012 exhibits sumptuous flavours. Lush notes of ripe citrus, baked apple, and almond mix with a mellow undercurrent of brioche, elegantly housed within a refined mineral structure. The wine’s potent acidity beautifully underpins this symphony of flavours, while the finish persists with a lingering finesse. Give this extraordinary Champagne the appreciation it deserves and add Larmandier Bernier Vieille Vigne du Levant Grand Cru 2012 to your collection today.
HK$8,020.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
The 2013 Champagne Vieille Vigne Du Levant takes things to the next level at Larmandier-Bernier. I love the aromatics, which flaunt the subtle and pretty of this cold vintage. Pouring a bright yellow color, it reveals detailed floral and candied citrus aromas in its notes of lemon drop candy, honeysuckle, and almond croissant. Medium to full-bodied, this is the most complete wine I have tasted today from this house, with a refined mousse and seamless acidity, and it only sees 2 grams per liter of dosage. This remarkable wine is drinking fantastically now and will have a long life ahead over the next decades. It’s long on the palate and a memorable wine.HK$9,615.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
The 2013 Champagne Vieille Vigne Du Levant takes things to the next level at Larmandier-Bernier. I love the aromatics, which flaunt the subtle and pretty of this cold vintage. Pouring a bright yellow color, it reveals detailed floral and candied citrus aromas in its notes of lemon drop candy, honeysuckle, and almond croissant. Medium to full-bodied, this is the most complete wine I have tasted today from this house, with a refined mousse and seamless acidity, and it only sees 2 grams per liter of dosage. This remarkable wine is drinking fantastically now and will have a long life ahead over the next decades. It’s long on the palate and a memorable wine.HK$10,100.00 -
Jancis Robinson (18.5)
It’s an almost indescribable wine. It’s rich and smoky and broad and powerful but it’s also none of those things. There is fruit and spice and stones but you couldn’t pick them out if you tried. It’s utterly complete. Without beginning, without ending. It has a heartbeat, a drum, a rhythm that feels like a pulse. It’s a wine that leaves you scrambling for words and then giving up, to simply breathe it in.HK$8,505.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)
The 2004 Rosé Cuvée Alexandra (magnum) is another utterly breathtaking wine from Laurent Perrier. A Champagne of total finesse and understatement, the 2004 is totally mind-blowing. Crushed rose petal, sweet red-toned fruit, mint, chalk, white pepper and slate are some of the many notes that are woven together. The 2004 is aging so well. It's a timeless beauty, an outstanding choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: June 2024.HK$1,850.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)
The 2004 Rosé Cuvée Alexandra (magnum) is another utterly breathtaking wine from Laurent Perrier. A Champagne of total finesse and understatement, the 2004 is totally mind-blowing. Crushed rose petal, sweet red-toned fruit, mint, chalk, white pepper and slate are some of the many notes that are woven together. The 2004 is aging so well. It's a timeless beauty, an outstanding choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: June 2024.HK$3,895.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)
The 2004 Rosé Cuvée Alexandra (magnum) is another utterly breathtaking wine from Laurent Perrier. A Champagne of total finesse and understatement, the 2004 is totally mind-blowing. Crushed rose petal, sweet red-toned fruit, mint, chalk, white pepper and slate are some of the many notes that are woven together. The 2004 is aging so well. It's a timeless beauty, an outstanding choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: June 2024.HK$8,090.00 -
(6x75cl) 2012James Suckling (99)
Fascinating. Bronze with a green hue on the edges, showing dried oranges, blond tobacco, menthol, patisserie, dried strawberries and pie crust. Smoky and complex yet subtle. Medium-bodied with fine bubbles and lots of flavor but tight and focused, giving it positive energy, tension and great length. Lightly bitter grapefruit at the end. Some candied fruit. Co-fermented 80% pinot noir and 20% chardonnay. Aged about 10 years on the lees. Dosage 7 g/L. Drink or hold.HK$16,095.00 -
(3x150cl) NVHK$4,230.00 -
(6x75cl) NVHK$6,015.00 -
Falstaff (96)
A creamy nose promises a smooth opening, the scent of sweet-salt, hazelnutty crumble crust is mouth-watering. The palate is taut but tiny bubbles carry bright lemon zestiness to the tastebuds. It is this lemony serenity and clean-cut 2008 character that remains centre-stage throughout, with subtle autolysis in the background. Very elegant and lasting.HK$4,770.00 -
(6x75cl) 2008
Falstaff (96)
A creamy nose promises a smooth opening, the scent of sweet-salt, hazelnutty crumble crust is mouth-watering. The palate is taut but tiny bubbles carry bright lemon zestiness to the tastebuds. It is this lemony serenity and clean-cut 2008 character that remains centre-stage throughout, with subtle autolysis in the background. Very elegant and lasting.HK$3,035.00 -
HK$2,800.00
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(6x75cl) 2015James Suckling (95)
This is in a new bottle, like the stout ones used for the rosé and blanc de blancs. This is very structured with a density and richness with hints of strawberry to the apple character. Bubbles turn fine textured at the end. Delicious flavors of biscuits and dried apple in the finish. Special character to this because of the very ripe vintage. Disgorged in November 2021. This is half chardonnay and half pinot noir. This can age well due to the phenolics. Drink or hold.HK$3,615.00 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90)
Fairly pale color. Complex, soil-inflected, smoky nose combines pineapple, peach, apricot, rose petal, cinnamon and mace; reminded me of Condrieu. Fresh and ripe in the mouth, with impressively intense flavors of fruits and spices. Finishes strong and spicy, with a late note of pink peppercorn.HK$1,680.00 -
(6x75cl) NVHK$2,235.00 -
(1x150cl) NVJames Suckling (97)
Full body. Lightly chewy. Phenolic tension gives it form and beauty. This is the first year to use numbers. 55% chardonnay and 45% pinot noir. 2007, 2006 and 2004. Drink or hold.HK$10,096.29 -
James Suckling (97)
Full body. Lightly chewy. Phenolic tension gives it form and beauty. This is the first year to use numbers. 55% chardonnay and 45% pinot noir. 2007, 2006 and 2004. Drink or hold.HK$8,000.00 -
James Suckling (99)
Incredible aromas of apple skin, pie crust, praline and flowers. So young in the nose. Full-bodied with super-fine tannins. It’s tight and refined, yet structured and intense. Really long and beautiful. Still shy. Wonderful finish. 12 years on its lees before disgorging. Three vintages in the blend – 2008 (65%), 2007 (25%) and 2006 (10%). 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir. It’s the highest percentage of chardonnay ever.HK$6,965.00 -
James Suckling (99)
Dried lemons, salted almonds, oyster shells, croissants, iodine, baked apples, spices and some ginger notes. White pepper, too. Vibrant and fresh, with a distinct saline edge. I like the subtle spice character. So much subtle power and tension. 58% chardonnay and 42% pinot noir, from 2006, 2004 and 2002. 14 years on the lees, three or four more than the normal bottle release. Only available in magnum. Drink or hold.HK$2,745.00 -
James Suckling (99)
Dried lemons, salted almonds, oyster shells, croissants, iodine, baked apples, spices and some ginger notes. White pepper, too. Vibrant and fresh, with a distinct saline edge. I like the subtle spice character. So much subtle power and tension. 58% chardonnay and 42% pinot noir, from 2006, 2004 and 2002. 14 years on the lees, three or four more than the normal bottle release. Only available in magnum. Drink or hold.HK$22,300.00 -
James Suckling (100)
This is really something. Electric on the palate. The aromas are so complex with sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel. Toasted bread, too. Always subtle. The palate is full- to medium-bodied yet hemmed-in with a freshness and balance that draws you back. Savory and vibrant. It's full of energy. Spectacular. Fascinating. Symphonic blend of 2012, 2008 and 2007. 65% of the 2012, 25% of the 2008 and 10% of the 2007. Eight grand cru. Chardonnay 58% and 42% pinot noir. Disgorged February 2023. 10 years on the lees. 7g/L dosage. Drink or hold.HK$4,485.00 -
James Suckling (100)
This is really something. Electric on the palate. The aromas are so complex with sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel. Toasted bread, too. Always subtle. The palate is full- to medium-bodied yet hemmed-in with a freshness and balance that draws you back. Savory and vibrant. It's full of energy. Spectacular. Fascinating. Symphonic blend of 2012, 2008 and 2007. 65% of the 2012, 25% of the 2008 and 10% of the 2007. Eight grand cru. Chardonnay 58% and 42% pinot noir. Disgorged February 2023. 10 years on the lees. 7g/L dosage. Drink or hold.HK$8,550.00 -
Jancis Robinson (19.5)
Deep gold. Woo hoo! Really explosive cordite. Tight and fresh but with many nuances and extremely long. Creamy Chardonnay and some savoury notes. Lovely tight filigree texture. Masses of acidity – but lots of fruit too before a dry finish. Sort of like a really fine mature white burgundy but much fresher and more like a ballerina!HK$15,850.00 -
(12x37.5cl) NVHK$2,890.00 -
HK$1,890.00 -
HK$4,200.00 -
(3x150cl) NVVinous (92)
(100% saignée Pinot Noir): Vivid orange-pink. An expressive, spice-accented bouquet evokes fresh raspberry, orange pith, white flowers and ginger, with a hint of rhubarb adding an earthy flourish. Sappy and broad in the mouth, offering intense red fruit and bitter citrus flavors underscored by chalky mineral and white pepper notes. Rich yet lively rosé with excellent closing thrust and floral persistence.HK$5,460.00 -
Vinous (92)
(100% saignée Pinot Noir): Vivid orange-pink. An expressive, spice-accented bouquet evokes fresh raspberry, orange pith, white flowers and ginger, with a hint of rhubarb adding an earthy flourish. Sappy and broad in the mouth, offering intense red fruit and bitter citrus flavors underscored by chalky mineral and white pepper notes. Rich yet lively rosé with excellent closing thrust and floral persistence.HK$3,105.00 -
(3x150cl) 2013A gem within the fine wine collection is the Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2013. Hailing from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, a prime Champagne region, this well-crafted wine bears the signature of Champagne Le Mesnil, a revered cooperative with unmatched commitment to quality. The vintage 2013 is 100% Chardonnay, meticulously hand-picked and vinified to produce a Blanc de Blancs of unparalleled strength and finesse.
Matured on lees for a noteworthy period, the wine showcases the unique terroir of Côte des Blancs, offering a mesmerising dance of creamy mousse, lush ripe fruit with hints of toasted almonds and brioche. The taste evolves on the palate, culminating in a long and magnificent finish.
If seeking a companion for a delicate entrée or a delightful standalone drink, the Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2013 exemplifies the best of Champagne. It's a sublime testimony to the producer's mastery over the grape and terrain.
HK$2,420.00
