Category Archives: Champagne

Blanc de Blancs, Brut, Petit Lebrun et Fils RM, Grand Cru, Avize, Champagne, France, NV, 12% abv., US$50

It’s not every day you get into a graduate degree program.  This extraordinary feat demanded I bring out the heavy artillery in honour of Jenna’s acceptance letter to an MSc in Genetic Counselling program at University of Toronto. The Petit … Continue reading

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Champagne, Brut, Nicolas Maillart, Premier Cru, Millésime, Champagne AC, France, 2007, 12.5% abv.

Coco Chanel probably said it best when she remarked, “I only drink champagne on two occasions.  When I am in love and when I am not.” Champagne just makes everything better.  Always.  Some people have said to me that they … Continue reading

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Chardonnay, Pur Prisme, Guiborat Fils, Grand Cru, RM, Cramant, Champagne AC, France, 12.5% abv. US$45

This Champagne was created by Richard Fouquet, a 5th generation vigneron and récoltant manipulant (someone who grows his own grapes, makes his own wine and markets them under his own name) in Cramant. We visited Richard and his wife Karine … Continue reading

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L’Amateur, David Léclapart, Blanc de Blancs, Pas Dosé, Premier Cru, Trépail, Marne, Champagne AC, France, 12.5% abv

Late blooming Pinot Meunier is the most frequently planted grape in the Marne, so the fact that David Léclapart has got Chardonnay growing in the frost prone village of Trépail is very interesting. That he is a fervent devotee of … Continue reading

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Champagne, Perrier-Jouët, Brut, Belle Epoque, Epernay, Champagne AC, France, 2006, 12.5% abv.

Over two centuries, Perrier-Jouët has only had seven cellar masters.  It was also the first House to create a dry Champagne in 1856.  Then there are its famous art-nouveau bottles – and this one has been hand-painted.  Since 1902 when … Continue reading

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Brut Vintage, Gold Label, Lanson, Champagne AC, France, 1999, US$75.00

I was awarded this bottle, oh yes I was… along with an engraved decanter for having the highest overall score in 2014 for WSET graduates in BC.  As someone who doesn’t even work in the industry (alas, the blog doesn’t … Continue reading

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Champagne Gatinois, Aÿ Grand Cru, Brut Tradition, Champagne, France, NV, 12% abv. C$60

Here is a champagne from deep in the Marne in tiny Aÿ, located to the east of Épernay.  This is a 90% Pinot Noir based champagne with 10% Chardonnay, but it’s 100% Grand Cru and grown on the 7.3 ha … Continue reading

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Gaston Chiquet, Tradition Brut, Premier Cru, Dizy, Champagne, France, RM, 12.5% abv, NV (Magnum) @ Marquis Wine Cellars

A grower-producer from the cool named, Dizy located just north of Épernay, the Chiquet family has been growing vines and making Champagne for generations.  The current crop of Chiquets include brothers Antoine and Nicolas with Antoine’s daughter Marion. Their 23 ha … Continue reading

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Guiborat Fils, Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut, Grand Cru, Cramant AC, Champagne, France, 2005, 12% abv.

Owned by Richard and Karine Fouquet, this Guiborat Fils Grand Cru vintage champagne is produced from Chardonnay grapes in the quaint French village of Cramant. Richard is the 5th generation of his family to be making champagne and he farms 8 ha … Continue reading

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Jacquesson, Cuvée No. 736, Extra Brut, Champagne, France, 12% abv, C$75 @ Marquis

A celebrated Champagne house in operation since 1798, Jacquesson has been owned since 1974 by the Chiquet family and is located in Dizy, just north of Epernay. The family owns 31 ha of vineyards throughout Aÿ, Avize and Oiry, all Grand Crus, … Continue reading

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