![]() The winemaking at Union Champagne Coopérative focuses on grand cru and premier cru. There are over 2000 members and the concept created provides a cost effective process for production. Our visit to the Union Champagne Coopérative was an enlightening experience as we toured this enormous facility. There are approximately 136 Coopératives in the Champagne region. The concept of the Champagne Coopérative created a synchronicity in the region, which characterizes the art of working together. It is conveniently located in the City Centre of Reims. Club Tresors is uniquely appointed with cement flooring hand-painted with regional map, lamp-lit champagne bottles hanging from the ceiling, private rooms, cozy lounge areas and exquisite décor which clearly reflects the charm of the J. Lassalle, and additionally the Champagnes of Pierre Gimonnet, Paul Bara and Moussé Fils Rosé. Angéline (the daughter) created the Club Tresors concept and designed the club that showcases approximately 200 Grower Champagnes. ![]() Lassalle team is comprised of three generations of women (grandmother, mother and daughter) whose wines revolve around family and terroir. Our Wine Scholar Guild Class was fortunate to experience the hospitality from Club Tresors de Champagne founder Angéline Templier J. Grower Champagne has risen dramatically in popularity and I feel fortunate to have had an up close and authentic experience of place, verses the consistency driven wines produced by the big houses. The majority of Grower Champagne fruit comes from one vineyard and therefore showcases its most intangible attribute, which is the terroir. We had an extraordinary introduction to the world of Grower Champagnes. The afternoon spent at Dom Pérignon was true to their vision of “ creating a moment you will never forget”! Therefore, our tasting of five vintages produced in a row was historic! More than two vintage years in a row are rare. He escorted us through the history of his twelve years of wine experience in Champagne and selected an exceptional vertical of 2002 through 2006 wines for our tasting pleasure. We had the distinct pleasure of a private tour and tasting orchestrated by Vincent Chaperon who oversees wine growing, developing, and aging of the Dom Pérignon wines. Dom Pérignon is one that owns many of their vineyards. Some of the houses purchase grapes from hundreds of different vineyards and very few, own their own. I was not aware that the bulk of the grapes purchased by the champagne houses are supplied by independent growers, most of which are under long-term contracts. The wines are blended and the grapes are specifically selected to personalize and contribute to the style of the brand. The Champagne houses account for over two thirds of all Champagne made and export approximately ninety percent of this market.Įach of the big-brand houses flaunts special talents in crafting their unique style cuvees. There are five wine producing districts, which are Aube, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne, Montagne de Reims, and Vallée de la Marne. ![]() It is truly a unique wine region.Ĭhampagne might have been the generic term for all sparkling wine however, in 1882 the Union of Champagne Houses was formed to protect the name, and a law was created to reserve the term "Champagne" exclusively for the wines that come from the region. The soil is rich in limestone, chalk and marl. The average temperature is 50 Fahrenheit and sun is scarce. Champagne has some of the most expensive land in the world and also produces some of the most distinctive wines. There are approximately 350 houses and the majority source their grapes from the 15,000 growers. Jean-Baptiste served up an ultimate taste experience, sharing the 2009 vintages of Brut Nature and Cristal as the finale! Their collective pursuit is for balance, and they enjoy the freedom to make their wines without a recipe, and only their senses to guide them. They prefer the diversity of energy and rationale that is provided by each gender. At Roederer, they boast three men and three women enologists. We could feel and taste the passion, which announced itself in the bottle. Jean-Baptiste impressed upon us the unique link between the vines and those who work in the vineyards and how they devote their expertise and energy into the vines. Roederer is one of the last family run champagne houses. His passion for the wines and the region were heartfelt and generous. Our next house visit was to Champagnes Roederer with Chef de Cave Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon who provided a wealth of knowledge as we toured and tasted with this master. At Champagne Philipponnat with Charles Philipponnat
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