Pierre Peters Esprit de 2002 Grand Cru brut

I drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it – unless I'm thirsty." – Madam Lilly Bollinger

Brand: Esprit de 2002 Grand Cru brut
Winery: Pierre Peters
Vintage: 2002
Varietal: Chardonnay
Winemaking: All base wines are elaborated in stainless steel and are therefore very dry. The residual sugar is somewhere between 3 and 6 g/l depending on quality and vintage. Owner Rodolphe Peters decided not to label the Champagne „Extra Brut“. Only after extraordinary vintages this Champagne is made. The 2002 aged on it´s yeasts for 6 years and is the 2003´s successor, which was clearly lighter and came on the market before.
Average Price: € 39,00
Tasting Notes: On the palate hints of white fruits like peach and pear, also dominating citrus aromas. The intense scent of almonds and marzipan, the minerality and the crisp acidity are fabulous! It´s perfect when you let it breathe 3 or 4 minutes after pouring.

Long aging potential!

Food Pairing Suggestions: alone is my suggestion

General rating: 4 tastevins
Categories: Special Occasion, Adventurer´s choice

Winery notes: Amongst connoisseurs in France Pierre Peters Champagnes are already very known, they are present in many gourmet restaurants throughout the country, everywhere where quality instead of big names stands in the foreground (unfortunately this is not at all the case in Germany, where mostly big brands are bought, and way too over-priced). The 17,5h vineyard is in Le Mesnil sur Oger. Originally, the ancestors came from Luxemburg completely attracted by the region of Champagne. They must have had great understanding of what they´re doing … the Quality is outstanding and reflects the vast varieties in style that one can find in the region. The style is very terroir focused (mineralic) and stands out with a very individual character.

Andre Clouet Non-vintage Rosé Champagne

Rasmus Amdi Larsen is a 21 year old sommelier. He is currently working as head-sommelier and Restaurant Manager at the restaurant Le Sommelier in the center of Copenhagen. Administrating the 1600 bottle wine list, one of the largest in Denmark, this young sommelier is showing a lot of potential. Rasmus is also educating at the Hospitality College in Copenhagen, competing in sommelier competitions - and in the limited free time, golfing is a huge interest.

Brand: Non-vintage Rosé Grand Cru Champagne

Winery: Andre Clouet

Vintage: Non-Vintage

Appellation: Champagne (Bouzy)

Varietal: 92% Pinot Noir 8% Bouzy Rouge

Winemaker: Jean-Francois

Average Price: €28

Tasting notes: This Rosé Champagne has lively, pink bubbles. Excellent deep colour and a beautiful nose filled with strawberry, raspberry and almonds. On the palate the Champagne is creamy and fruity, excellent both with food and as a aperitif on that special night.

Food Pairing Suggestions: Try this with heavy stuff. Fried lumpfish with lobster cannelloni, artichokes and cognac-sauce. Fried tuna or tuna sushi. Poultry like quail or how about sucking pig with roots and mustard sauce!

Winery Notes: Rosé Champagne is gaining popularity around the world. We see a monthly higher request on Rosé Champagne – both by the bottle and by the glass. I find Andre Clouet one of the best Champagne house’s around, situated right next to Bollingers Grand Cru vineyards – and for half the price! All vines are from the Grand Cru village of Bouzy, and most are made on 100% Pinot Noir, or, as this, blended with 8% non-sparkling red wine which give the wines an extraordinary complexity. Topping all this with a very good price tag, you should start exploring the world of Andre Clouet.