Mostly Champagne and sparkling wines (plus other things that catch my eye), by Heather Dougherty
This November, Champagne co-operative Jacquart launched the new edition of its prestige cuvée - Alpha 2012. The co-operative's member growers draw on fruit from 300ha of vines across 60 villages in the appellation. 2012 is a good quality vintage with a charming combination of ripeness and freshness. While 2012's will undoubtedly age well (and of … Continue reading The new vintage of Champagne Jacquart’s Cuvée Alpha
Everyone loves a bargain, and consumers' lasting infatuation with the wine ranges of discounters Lidl and Aldi is now well established. Lidl's next Wine Tour - a "when it's gone it's gone" selection of wines that will be available for just a couple of months - features wines for Christmas. And Christmas, of course, means … Continue reading Pick of the Christmas fizz at Lidl
There is a host of under the radar Champagne producers and Castelnau is one of my favourites. I recently had the chance to taste a few of their cuvées and here's what I thought. Things you need to know: Champagne Castelnau is a co-operative, making Champagne on behalf of its grower members. They are known … Continue reading Champagne Castelnau
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Champagne house in possession of ambitions to be taken seriously must be in want of a prestige cuvée. Apologies to Jane Austen - and so many of us contrive to mangle the opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice that I imagine her responding with a distracted and … Continue reading The art of slow Champagne – Bruno Paillard NPU 2004
The village of Verzenay In the broad sweep of Champagne vineyards which cover the Montagne de Reims , between that city and Epernay to the south, Verzenay is a village name that you might recognize. It's one of Champagne's Grand Cru villages, famous for producing long-lived and powerfully mineral wines predominantly from Pinot Noir. Many … Continue reading Stéphane Vignon – an original in Verzenay
Champagne Castelnau, one of the region's largest co-operatives, unveiled smart new livery for its cuvées this week at Sakagura Japanese restaurant in London. I discovered Castelnau's Champagnes only a year ago and was impressed by the range - from the well-balanced freshness of its Brut Réserve and classy Blanc de Blancs, to the understated power … Continue reading Champagne Castelnau’s smart new clothes
The other French sparkling wine
The art and science of blending
How to tell your Prosecco from your Cava
Fizzicality 