Champagne Prestige Cuvee

Question 1

Prestige Cuvee of Andre Clouet

Answer 1

Andre Clouet 1911
100% pinot noir from Clouet’s 10 best plots, dubbed by Jean-Francois ‘the golden square of Bouzy’; 50% Fermented in Sauternes barriques; 50% solera of reserve wines; full malolactic fermentation; a symbolic production of just 1911 bottles; 6g/L dosage.
Chef de Cave: Jean Francois Clouet
Labels made by Jean Francois great grandfather in 1911(harking back to the families printer heritage days making books for the king since 1911
1911 was the year of the champagne riots

Question 2

Prestige Cuvee of Andre Jacquart

Answer 2

EXPERIENCE MILLESIME LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER
This is a Blanc de Blancs with all the fruit being sourced from the Grand Cru village of Les Mesnil Sur Oger. According to winemaker Marie Doyard there is approximately 60-70% Les Chetillons in this Cuveé which is one of the most prized vineyards in this village. The vines are an average of 70 years of age, which adds immediate depth of flavour and character. Combine this with the base wine coming from the excellent 2008 vintage as well as 20% reserve wines, a minimum of 5 years aged on lees, 100% fermentation in Burgundy barrels, no malo-lactic fermentation and Zero dosage and the result is something quite magnificent.

Question 3

Prestige Cuvee of Ayala

Answer 3

Cuvee Perle d’Ayala
Village: Ay
NM
Ayala has two fabulous prestige cuvées, its ethereal Perle d’Ayala, and its rarer Perle d’Ayala Nature (with no dosage added). Although now owned by Champagne Bollinger and located close to Bollinger in the village of Aÿ, Champagne Ayala’s style for all of its wines is very different from Bollinger; Ayala specializes in elegant, very dry, light-bodied Champagnes. Chardonnay plays a key role in both Perle d’Ayalas, both being 80 percent Chardonnay and 20 percent Pinot Noir.

(50% Le Mesnil -sur-Oger, 20%Cramant, 25% Chouilly and 20% Ay Pinot Noir)

Question 4

Prestige cuvee of Nicolas Feuillatte

Answer 4

Palmes d’Or
Based in: Chouilly
Inaugral vintage: Brut 1985 and Rose 1996
No Champagne brand has grown so remarkably as Nicolas Feuillatte, which is the leading brand name Champagne of the huge Centre Vinicole, composed of 85 co-operatives. Nicolas Feuillatte has existed as a brand since only 1976, and yet it’s the third-largest selling Champagne in the world today. Its prestige cuvée, Palmes d’Or, made from all Grand Cru and Premier Cru grapes, and 60 percent Chardonnay, 40 percent Pinot Noir, is lively and flavorful, This is a primary fruit forward style with dosage on the more heavy handed side

Question 5

Prestige cuvee of G.H, Mumm,

Answer 5

Cuvée R. Lalou
Based in: Reims
First Vintage: 1966 (discontinued in 1985, revived in 1998)
Mumm has re-introduced René Lalou, its successful prestige cuvée from 1966 to 1985, named after its legendary president who spent 50 years with Mumm. Quality slipped at Mumm when it was sold to Seagram’s in 1985. But the house, still fourth-largest, had a renaissance when Dominique Demarville became Chef de Cave in 1998. Currently, Didier Mariotti is carrying on ably in his place. (Seagram’s sold G.H. Mumm in 1999; it is now owned by Pernod). The R. Lalou is 50 percent Chardonnay from Cramant and Avize, 50 percent Pinot Noir from Verzy, Verzanay, Ay, Mailly, Bouzy and Ambonnay, is a soft, easy-drinking Champagne
6 g Dosage
Long lees ageing
Chef de Cave: Didier Mariotti

Question 6

Prestige cuvee of Perrier-Jouët,

Answer 6

Cuvée Belle Epoque:
Based in: Epernay
First Vintage: 1964. Fleur de CHampagne discontinued in 2002
Perrier-Jouët produces three Belle Epoque (a.k.a. Fleur de Champagne) prestige cuvées, with a stunning Epoque Rosé and Epoque Blanc de blancs making up the trio” 50 percent of old-vine Chardonnay grapes brings a creamy chalky depth from the Grand Cru village of Cramant, Avize, Le Mesnil - sur-Oger and Oger bring .
45% Pinot Noir from Mailly, Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay .
5% Pinot Meunier from Dizy and Venteuil
6 years on lees
9 g dosage
Chef de Cave: Herve Deschamps

Question 7

Prestige cuvee of Piper-Heidsieck,

Answer 7

Rare
Based in: Reims
First Vintage: 1976

Piper-Heidsieck is a seriously underrated Champagne house because of its image as a mass market “commercial” brand, which it was 30 years ago. Although Piper-Heidsieck is still a large house (seventh-largest), Piper is now making excellent Champagne, First Rare vintage was 1976. 2002, 1998 and 1988 are highly regarded vintages. Made from 70 percent Chardonnay from Avize Vertus and the Montagne de Reim, and 30 percent Pinot Noir from Ay,
11g dosage
Chef de Cave: Regis Camus

Question 8

Prestige cuvee of Pommery

Answer 8

Cuvée Louise
Based in: Reims

Pommery is one of France’s most renowned Champagne houses. Established in 1836, Madame Pommery is credited with creating the first vintage ‘brut’ style of Champagne in 1874, at a time when most Champagnes were excessively sweetened with sugar. This revolutionary dry style set the benchmark for the rest of Champagne and it is in this spirit that the style of Pommery endures. When Champagne Pommery was sold to the huge Vranken Company in 2002, many followers of Pommery feared for the house’s future. The good news is that Vranken held on to the vineyards that produced Pommery’s prestige cuvée, Louise–which has always been Pommery’s shining star. Louise is a dry, classy Champagne that ages magnificently, its sister, Louise Rosé, also drinks well,
A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, the grapes are sourced from the prestigious vineyards of Avize, Cramant and Ay

Question 9

Prestige Cuvee of Champagne Deutz,

Answer 9

Cuvée William Deutz and
Armour de Deutz
Based in: Ay

Louis Roederer bought a majority interest in the house in 1993. Purity of fruit is preserved through fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Located in the village of Ay.
William Deutz: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier
Amour de Deutz 100% Chardonnay
Chef de Cave: Michel Davesne

Question 10

Prestige Cuvee of Pascal Doquet

Answer 10

Champagne Pascal Doquet Vieilles Vignes, Le Mesnil: Pascal Doquet’s old-vines Grand Cru, Le Mesnil, from the great blanc de blancs village Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.
Vines date from 1929
Vinified in tanks and 15% Oak Barrels.
Aged 5 months in tanks and barrels on lees and 9 years in bottles.
No Malo
5.5g dosage
Meticulous organic approach

Question 11

Prestige cuvee of Charles Heidsieck

Answer 11

Blanc des Millénaires
Based in Reims
First Vintage: 1983
Masses of reserve wines. Long ageing in pristine cellars. Relentless pursuit of quality

100% The A list of the Cote de Blanc: Cramant, Avize, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Vertus.
Fermentation in stainless steel
Min 10 years in the cellar
11g dosage
Also Champagne Charlie
The House decided to create a Champagne Charlie cuvée in tribute to the audacity of its founder. 5 vintages exist: 1979, 1981 1982, 1983 and 1985.

Question 12

Prestige cuvee Henriot

Answer 12

Cuvée des Enchanteleurs (discontinued after 2000) and 
Hemera (First Vintage 2005
Based in:  Reims 
Family owned House
25-30 year vine age
50% Chardonnay and 50%
 Pinot Noir from Mailly-champagne, Verzy, Verzanay, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize and Chouilly.
Rich and powerful style
12 years on Lees
8-10 g dosage

Question 13

Prestige cuvee of Lanson,

Answer 13

Noble Cuvée
Based in: Reims
First VIntage: 1979

Lanson makes three prestige cuvées called Noble Cuvée; the blended Noble Cuvée, a vintage Blanc de Blancs Noble Cuvée, and a non-vintage Rosé Noble Cuvée.
Distinctive House style of blocking malolactic fermentation makes for high strung age worthy champagne

Rose:
62% Chard 38% PN

Blanc de Blancs:
Avize and Cremant
10 g dosage

Blend:
70.5% Chard 29.5% PN

Question 14

Prestige cuvee of Laurent-Perrier,

Answer 14

Grand Siècle and Alexandra (Vintage Rose)
Based in: Tours sut Marne
First NV of Gran Siecle released in 1960
First VIntage of Alexandra: 1982

Laurent-Perrier is the largest privately-owned Champagne house and the fifth-largest house.
Grand Siècle, is always a blend of three vintages from the best crus in only the finest years.
Long Lees ageing (at least 4 years) Consumers are oblivious to this as there is no dates or vintages listed on the label.
55 percent Chardonnay, 45 percent Pinot Noir.
8 g dosage

Also Grand Siecle Alexandria Brut Rose
80% GC Pinot Noir frpm Ambonnay, Bouzy, Louvois, Mailly, Verzenay and Tours-sur - marne.
20% Chard from Avize, Cramant, Chouily, and Le Mesnil - sur - oger

Question 15

Prestige cuvee of Bruno Paillard,

Answer 15

Nec Plus Ultra (There is nothing beyond)
Based in: Reims
First VIntage: 1990

Bruno Paillard’s N.P.U., as his prestige cuvée is known, is a clear deviation from the light, very delicate, and very elegant Paillard style. This is a medium to-full-bodied Champagne, 50 percent Chardonnay and 50 percent Pinot Noir, that is fermented in small oak barrels, and then aged in these barrels for nine months. Aged for 12 years on lees before release. The grapes from only Grand Cru villages are selected for the N.P.U., and the dosage is a low 4 grams/l. Bruno Paillard was one of a few producers to release a champagne from the 2003 vintage

Question 16

Prestige cuvee of Louis Roederer,

Answer 16

Cristal Brut and Rose
Based in: Reims
First VIntage: Made first for the Tsar in 1876 (not available commercially until 1945)
Cristal Rosé: 1974

Largest independently owned and managed champagne house.
Believes oxidation is a betrayal of terroir
55% PN from Verzanay, Verzy, Beaumont, Vesle and Ay
45% Chardonnay from Avize, Cramant and Les Mesnil-sur-oger
8-10g dosage
20% matured in oak
weekly batonnage
approx 5 years on lees
A wine that needs time due to malic acid and reductive wine making

Rose is 60% Pinot Noir from a single organic block in Ay and 40% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil sur Oger

Question 17

Prestige cuvee of Ruinart

Answer 17

Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Rose
Based in: Reims
First Vintage BdB: 1959
First VIntage Rose: 1966

Chef de Cave: Frederic Panaiotis
Reductive Style. Hates Oxygen the style is the antithesis of Bollinger and Krug
Absolutely no Oak. Stainless steel
Full Malo
Approx 10 years in bottle before release
100% Grand Cru Fruit. 72% from the Cote des Blanc from Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, 34 % Montagne de Reims from Silery, Puisieulx and Verzenay

Question 18

Prestige cuvee of Taittinger,

Answer 18

Comtes de Champagne Blanc de blanc (also make a comtes rose)
Based in: Reims
First VIntage: CDC 1952
First Vintage: CDC Rose: 1973
First VIntage Collection: 1978
The huge house of Taittinger, the world’s sixth-largest, probably makes more blanc de blancs Champagne–and certainly the largest amount of prestige cuvée Blanc de Blancs–than any other house. Its Comtes de Champagne really was the Champagne that popularized the blanc de blancs style after WW II. Grapes from excellent villages on the Côtes des Blancs, CdC is a big, voluptuous Champagne that will be at its best with 15 to 20 years of aging, and will continue to live for many years after that.
Fruit sourced primarily from Avize (for finesse) and Le-Mesnil-sur-Oger (body) Chouilly (roundness) Cramant (grilled almonds) and Oger (Citrus)
5% aged in oak one third new for subtle notes of toast and brioche)
9g dosage

Question 19

Prestige cuvee of Bollinger

Answer 19

La Grande Annee
R.D (Recemment Degorge). - First vintage 1952
Vieilles Vignes Francaises - First Vintage 1969
Based in: Ay

Bollinger’s position is that it really doesn’t make a prestige cuvée, but we can consider its Grand Année or R.D. as prestige cuvées. Actually, these two Champagnes, as good as they are, are really Vintage Champagnes. Bollinger’s only true prestige cuvée is its very rare old vines Blanc de Noirs, Françaises, made from ungrafted vines in two small vineyards in Ay. Bollinger does not like to publicize this wine because it makes very little of it, and it’s always in demand. Bollinger Françaises is rich and magisterial with an extremely long finish, a Champagne you will not forget.

Grande Annee is fully barrel fermented, hand riddled and disgorged by hand. 60% PN 40%Chard a blend of almost 300 different wines aged under natural cork for 8 years. 8 g/l dosage

RD is exactly the same wine as Grande Annee only with longer time on lees and dosed lower at 3-4 g/l

Question 20

Prestige Cuvee of Moet Chandon

Answer 20

Dom Perignon
Dom Perignon Oenotheque
Based in: Epernay
First Vintage: 1921

Dom Perignon was the first prestige cuvee
Staunch Advocate of the blend Dom Perignon is based on a core of 5 grand cru villages of Pinot Noir and 4 of Chardonnay. Wines are fermented exclusively in stainless steel tanks. Very reductive wine making style. Roughly a 60-40 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Since 1997 a vintage has been released every except for 2001.
Oenotheque is are based on the same wines as the first released but have been ageing in Dom Perignon’s cellars on the lees for extended periods of time. Disgorged for release.

Question 21

Prestige Cuvee of Gosset

Answer 21

Celebris
(also made Blanc de Blanc and Rose)
Based in: Formerly Ay now Epernay since 2010
First VIntage: 1988

Established in 1954. House style is general dryness with no malolactic fermentation and clean cut structure
Celebris is made extra brut with a Varying blend of PN and CHard depending on vintage. Low dosages of between 2-5 g/l

Question 22

Prestige Cuvee of Drappier

Answer 22

Charles de Gaulle and Grande Sendree
Based in: Urville in the Aube
First Vintage Charles de Gaule: 1990
First Vintage Grande Sendree: 1975

CDG
80% Pinot Noir 20% Chardonnay
PN from Cotes de Bar Chard from Cotes de Blanc

Grande Sendree
55% PN 45% Chard

Question 23

Prestige Cuvee of Pol Roger

Answer 23

Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill
Based in: Epernay
First Vintage: 1975

All reserve wines are kept in concrete vats

Winston Churchill started drinking Pol Roger as early as 1908 but when he met Odette Pol Roger at a luncheon in 1944 he was captivated by her charm, wit and intelligence and that was the icing on the cake. Pol Roger became his first champagne of choice. He also named a racehorse after Odette.. When Churchill died in 1965 Pol Roger placed as black border around the label of the white foil shipped to England and went on to release Cuvee Winston Churchill one of the greatest prestige cuvees of all time. Pol Roger refuses to reveal the blend but it is supposed to be made in the style that the great man would have appreciated and as his favourite vintages were 1895, 1928 and 1947 this could be a theory that supports the notion of roughly 70-80% PN and 20-30% Chard. All grapes come from vineyards under vine at the time of Churchill. Full Malo aged 10 years on lees.

Question 24

Prestige Cuvee of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

Answer 24

La Grande Dame (Brut and Rose)
Based in: Reims
First Vintage Brut: 1969
First VIntage Rose: 1988

60-65% Pinot Noir
30-35% Chardonnay

Known for being a full bodied style that gains biscuity notes with age

Question 25

Prestige cuvee of Philliponat

Answer 25

Clos de Goisses
Based in Mareuil-sur-Ay
First Vintage: 1935

The famous part of CLos de Goisses is a steep fully south facing slope of 30-45 degrees towards the Marne. It is so straight sided with no deviation from it’s southerly aspect that it is often referred to as South South facing. The whole vineyard is actually 5.5 hectares and is planted to 30% Chard and 70% Pinot Noir. Clos de Goisses is not one parcel but 16 individual plots planted with vines of varying ages which allows flexibility in the blending.

The south facing aspect make the suns rays perpendicular and undiluted for most of the day making hot years more of a problem than off vintages. The juice ferments in used Burgundy barrels that are no less than 2 years old. Al long period on lees in the cellar and another year of maturation post disgorgement are keys to making CLos de Goisses. Dosage is kept low at around 4-5g/l.

Question 26

Prestige Cuvee Pierre Peters

Answer 26

Cuvee Speciale les Chetillons
RM
Based in Les Mesnil Sur Oger
First VIntage: Released in 1971 as Cuvee Speciale sold as Special Club. 2000 was the first vintage to include the name Les Chetillons on the label

Les Chetillons is one of the finest sites in Le Mesnil sur Oger. Here the chalk is never more than 10 cm from the surface so the vines are effectively routed to pure chalk. The family has nurtured 3 plots in these calcerous soils since 1930. Each plot is vinified separately and blended to produce a single vineyard wine. Crushed oyster shell, sea salt and flavours of the ocean are hallmarks of the cuvee.