Tasting of Grower Champagnes, May 10/13

The Date and Time: Friday, May 10, 2013   10:30 AM – 1:30 PM

The Event: monthly tasting of the WWCC, this time -- Growers' Champagnes repped by Groupe Soleil (Stephen Cohen).

The Venue: LCBO Summerhill

The Target Audience: members of the WWCC

The Availability/Catalogue: all champagnes are available from the agent.

The Quote/Background: Apart from some notes on the individual growers, Stephen told us that all growers' champagnes seem to evolve in the glass. He repps 15 companies. Some use all seven heirloom approved grape varieties in the blend, others also do a field blend. Some are organic.

The Wines:

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Laherte Freres Brut Nature, $55 [10% chardonnay, 50% reserve wines]

-Champagne Marie Courtin Resonance Blanc de Noir NV Cote de Bar, $65 [100% pinot noir, organic, non-dosage]

-Champagne Pascal Agrapart Terroir Blanc de Blanc Extra Brut NV Avize, $65 [100% C, half 2008 and half 2009] – mostly organic

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Champagne Jacquesson Cuvee 736 Extra Brut NV Epernay - 2008 fruit plus 34% reserve wines, $65 [53% C/29% PN, 18% PM]

-Champagne Andre Cluet 2002 Bouzy, $69 [100% PN]

 

The Upside: Joel Thompson brought along his Zalto wine glasses – he says the white wine glass works especially well with champagne.

The Contact Person: Stephen Cohen <gsoleil@rogers.com>

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com