Sparkling Wine Sieur d’Arques Premiere Bulle Rose Cremant. The seductive jewel-like pink hue of this elegant bubbly immediately catches the eye, while the nose offers tempting aromas of peaches, nectarines and hints of toast and brioche which carry through onto the palate. The first sip reveals silky smooth bubbles, refreshing acidity levels and a long, clean finish. This is an easy-going, dry Cremant which is ideal to enjoy as an aperitif or to serve alongside pan-fried fish, fresh seafood or simply a generous platter of French cheeses. Like most Cremant de Limoux wines, the base of this wine is Chardonnay which is grown on the Sieur d’Arques’ exceptional chalky vineyards close to the foothills of the Pyrenees. This helps to create an elegant, refined sparkling wine which displays a subtle chalky minerality on the palate. The winemakers also add a smaller amount of Chenin Blanc as well as a dash of Pinot Noir which gives the wine its distinctive hue. The Sieur d’Arques cooperative make this wine according to the traditional method which is the same process used to create Champagne. The wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle and it is then left to age with the lees for 12 months which helps to create a rich, well-rounded texture and gentle notes of pastries, nuts and freshly-baked bread.
Cremant
Sparkling Wine Sieur d’Arques Premiere Bulle Rose Cremant
Sparkling Wine Champagne Soutiran Cuvee Alexandre Brut Premier Cru. Serve well chilled. Now in the hands of the third generation of the Soutiran family, this small Champagne house prides itself on showcasing the rich diversity and potential of the Champagne region. Rather than going down the route of large scale production, owners Valérie and Patrick make distinctive grower Champagnes which are deeply connected with the terroir and artisanal traditions of the region. This Premier Cru Champagne is a careful composition of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier which has spent six long years ageing on the lees in the family’s cellar. One of the cornerstones of the Soutiran winemaking philosophy, this lengthy ageing process has created an exquisite, well-rounded Champagne with exceptionally fine bubbles. Marzipan, candied lemon, peaches and pears characterise the nose, while the palate is dominated by toasted almonds, green apples and lemon zest. Designed to offer universal appeal and to be very easy to drink, the low dosage, crisp freshness and full body of this Champagne make an excellent match for foie gras, goats cheese, fruits de mer or tuna tartare. Although it will benefit from a few years of additional ageing, this is an excellent Champagne to enjoy now.
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Sneak Knife: All the riches of olden times
Sparkling Wine Champagne Soutiran Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru. Serve well chilled. The uplifting nose enchants with aromas of green apples, pears and lime zest which are carried through on the palate. The Soutiran tradition of extended ageing in the cellar, in this case seven years, has imparted a firm structure, creamy mouthfeel and subtle hints of toast and marzipan. Crafted using 100% Chardonnay grapes from spectacular Grand Cru vineyards in the village of Ambonnay, this Blanc de Blancs is a pure, clean expression of an exceptional terroir. Although Ambonnay has a strong reputation for producing some of the Champagne region’s most powerful Pinot Noirs, the south-facing vineyards planted on slopes also favour the small quantities of Chardonnay vines planted here. The terroir signals its presence in this Blanc de Blancs with a well-defined, chalky minerality which makes this Champagne an exquisite match for oysters. The generous full body also make this an attractive option to accompany turbot pan-fried in brown butter or paired simply with a creamy Saint-Félicien cheese as a stylish way to finish a meal. While ready to drink now, a few additional years of ageing in optimal cellar conditions will further intensify the brilliance of this distinctive Blanc de Blancs.
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