5 Special Champagnes for The Festive Season

Pierre Peters Les Chetillons 2012

Headed by fourth-generation Rodolphe Peters, this Côtes des Blancs estate’s 18 hectares are entirely dedicated to Chardonnay, most of which comes from Grand Cru sites. The 2012 ‘Les Chétillons’ ages for two years on the lees, leading to a fantastic blanc de blancs with a great concentration/intensity, while remaining balanced.

You can purchase it here.

Cedric Bouchard Les Roses de Jeanne Les Ursules 2015

Cedric Bouchard’s wines are characterised by low yields in the vineyard, a meticulous fruit selection, and minimal intervention in the winery. No oak is used here, resulting in wines with great focus and purity. The Ursules vineyard is planted with Pinot Noir and shows exotic floral and herbal notes alongside the central red fruit character. Bouchard’s wines are rightly gaining in popularity.

You can purchase it here.

Dhondt-Grellet Cramant NV

With parcels in Cramant and Cuis, Dhondt Grellet focuses on producing superb wines from the Côtes des Blancs. The founders’ son,  Adrien Dhont-Grellet is currently in charge and makes the wines. He is focusing on biodynamic farming which has translated into vivid champagnes from great parcels across the Côtes des Blancs.This NV Blanc de Blancs is all sourced from two vineyard parcels in the top Grand Cru Village of Cramant with the average vine-age over 55-years. The wine is fermented in older oak barrels and goes through partial malolactic fermentation to soften the acids. Great complexity at its price point.

You can purchase it here.

Georges Laval Les Cumieres NV

Based in the Premier Cru village of Cumieres, Vincent Laval is farming just under three hectares in the Vallee de la Marne. His father Georges was one of the first producers to obtain organic certification in 1971. Selling part of his grapes to negociants up until 2014, Vincent is now one of the most exclusive and sought after winemakers in Champagne.

The wine is aged on the lees for 12 to 18 months in oak barrels. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier blends are made with no chemicals in the vineyard. Great minerality and complexity of fruit.

You can purchase it here.

Jerome Prevost Fac Simile NV

Jérome Prévost is one of a new breed of artisanal grower/producers making highly characterful single vineyard Champagne. Prévost’s Champagne comes from his five acres of 40-year-old Meunier vines in Les Béguines vineyard. Fac-simile is Prévost’s second label, a world-class dry rosé Champagne. It’s a rare 100% Pinot Meunier worth seeking out. Wonderfully expressive and intense.

You can purchase it here.