Champagne

CHAMPAGNE is a curious and completely unique corner of the wine world where the words ‘brand’ and ‘quality’ have very happily sat together for many years. And so it is perhaps ironic that, despite Champagne being the most advanced and sophisticated of wine regions, the focus on the individual growers and the particular parcels of soil that have afforded originality to their wines has been the last to catch the public’s imagination. Apart from Moët & Chandon, who have a long association with Selfridges, this list largely concentrates on examples of wines from growers where the recurring themes are value and terroir—each one of these Champagnes share a real sense of individuality.

• Sample drinks list

• 48.50

  Gaston Chiquet, Cuvee Selection
  Gaston Chiquet has made a name for itself as one of the best. In a region with thousands of small producers, it is a credit to owners Antoine and Nicolas Chiquet. Based in Dizy, the family first planted vines in 1746 but did not produce champagne until 1935, when brothers Ferdinand and Gaston took the bold step of setting up their own label, rather than merely selling grapes to the larger houses
  

• 50.75

  Moet & Chandon (Epernay) Brut Imperial NV
  The flagship of Moet & Chandon since 1869 and to this day the most celebrated Champagne in the world. Moet Imperial reflects the diversity and synergy's of the three champagne grapes as well as the richness of the region's best vineyards making it the world's most loved Champagne.
  Moet Imperial is made from 40% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Menuier and 25% Chardonnay.
  

• 54.00

  Joseph Perrier (Chalons-en-Champagne) Brut NV
  The only one of the original 'grandes marques' to be based in Chalons, the style of Joseph Perrier leans towards the ripe and full-flavoured. Production lies around the 50,000 case mark and the Brut is made up of 35% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Meunier

• 54.00

  Selfridges Henri Giraud (Ay) Esprit de Giraud NV
  This 'Esprit' cuvee is made up from 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay producing a wonderfully rich and substantial wine balanced by a fine and penetrating minerality. The total annual production of Henri Giraud is less than 6,000 cases.

• 59.00

  Alfred Gratien (Epernay) Brut Classique NV
  Based in the heart of Epernay Alfred Gratien is a top league traditional house producing around 30,000 cases each year. The signature of the house is a combination of freshness and longevity, achieved through the suppression of the malolactic fermentation after an initial fermentation in small 228 litre oak casks. 'Brut Classique' is 44% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Meunier and 12% Pinot Noir

• 60.00

  Pommery Wintertime NV (Blanc de Noir)
  Wintertime's flavours and aromas of ripe berries and quince make it the ideal Champagne to accompany food.
  

• 60.50

  Benoit Marguet (Ambonnay) Grand Cru Rose NV
  Benoit Marguet is working towards biodynamism in the vineyards and now only works with Grand Cru fruit for this superlative rose. An innovative technical juxtaposition of saignee (bleeding the juice from the red grapes) and assemblage (addition of still red wine), pioneered by Benoit has yielded a wine which combines structure and elegance. Made from 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir production of this wine is less than 4,000 cases.

• 66.00

  Selfridges Henri Giraud (Ay) Esprit de Giraud Rose NV
  This cuvee 70% Pinot Noir, 22% Chardonnay and 8% barrel-aged red wine. This wonderful rose as a raspberry hue with orange nuances and has been kept on lees for 12 months.

• 66.50

  Jacquesson (Dizy) Cuvee 733 NV
  With production limited to less than 30,000 cases Jacquesson is widely regarded as being not only one of the very best of the smaller houses but one of the best of all the Champagne houses. The '7 series' cuvee of low 'dosage', non-vintage Champagnes that reflect the main vintage of the blend is a quite brilliant series of wines. Cuvee 732 comes from the predominantly extensive but high-quality 2004 vintage and is made from 39% Chardonnay, 36% Pinot Meunier and 25% Pinot Meunier with 21% of the blend made up from reserve wines covering four different vintages.

• 71.50

  Moet & Chandon (Epernay) Brut Rose NV
  Lively and generous, Rose Imperial distinguishes itself by a radiant colour, an intense fruitiness and flamboyance on the palate, which instantly seduces and delights.
  Rose Imperial's assemblage is built on the intensity of Pinot Noir (40 to 50%, 10% of which are red wine), the fruitiness of Pinot Meunier (30 to 40%, 10% of which are red wine) and the finesse of Chardonnay (10 to 20%). The use of 20 to 30% of carefully selected reserve wines complete the assemblage and enhance its intensity, subtlety and consistency.
  

• 75.00

  Pommery Grand Cru Millesime Vintage 2000
  A rich and generous style of Champagne with delicate floral notes that imbue this wine with great finesse.
  

• 84.50

  Paul Bara (Bouzy) Brut Grand cru Vintage 2000
  Chantale Bara has now taken over from the legendary Paul, her father, to become the seventh generation to run this Champagne house since it was founded in 1833. The production of less than 8,000 cases comes from vineyards all of which are located within this famous Grand Cru commune. The blend is 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay and accordingly the style is rich and generous with a fruity elegance that is unique in Bouzy.

• 85.00

  Taittinger Prelude Grands Cru NV
  A blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir grapes, all from Grand Cru vineyards, make up this exclusive NV Champagne. Prior to release the wine is aged for a minimum of five years. This results in a Champagne that is intensely fresh and citrusy and yet has a rich, full bodied mouth feel.
  

• 97.00

  Pierre Peters (Le Mesnil) 'Les Chetillons' 2000
  Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
  One of the very finest 'lieux-dits' (specific sites) in the whole of the Champagne region, 'Les Chetillons' is rapidly assuming legendary status with its 80 year old Chardonnay vines providing the definitive statement of the style of this village; mineral power and incredible purity.
  

• £56.50 / £108

  Billecart - Salmon Brut Rose NV (half bottle / full bottle )
  An elegant & romantic with production secrets handed down for seven generations. This sublime Rose is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier & Pinot Noir.
  Pale and Bright pink in colour, adorned with warm glints of gold a nose of red fruit notes with a fresh raspberry finish.
  A truely delicious Rose Champagne.
  

• 123.00

  Jacquesson (Dizy) Grand Cru Avize 2000
  From three prime specific sites totalling less than four acres in the Grand Cru village of Avize, at the heart of the Cote des Blancs, this wine is made up from the highest quality Chardonnay vines with an average age of forty years. Classic Jacquesson style with low 'dosage' and a flinty minerality.

• 128.00

  Cedric Bouchard (Celles-sur-Ource) Cuvee 'Inflorescence' NV
  Blanc de Noirs
  From 100% Pinot Noir, and in all but name based on the great 2002 vintage, the tiny one acre parcel responsible for the 'Inflorescence' cuvee was identified by Cedric Bouchard as being capable of producing the ultimate expression of the black grape Pinot Noir that has been treated with bio-dynamic care. 'Inflorescence' is profound, rich, earthy & vinous. Less than 200 cases were produced of this Champagne.
  

• 140.00

  Joseph Perrier Cuvee 'Josephine' 2002
  'Josephine' is Joseph Perrier's prestige cuvee made from 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. A wonderfully ripe and rich yet balanced Champagne from the glorious 2002 vintage.

• 148.00

  Jacquesson (Dizy) 'Dizy-Terres Rouges' Rose 2004
  The 'lieu-dit' of 'Terres Rouges' is made up of two separate parcels of 39 year old Pinot Meunier vines (71% of the blend) and 17 year old Pinot noir vines (29% of the blend). Only 375 cases were produced of this deep coloured rose.

• 230.00

  Selfridges Henri Giraud (Ay) Cuvee Fut de Chene 1998
  This cuvee made from 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay has been described by Michael Edwards in his book 'The Finest Wines of Champagne' (published by Aurum Press in 2009) as being possibly 'the most complex Champagne in Ay due to 'the perfect and varied siting of those 30 parcels in 14 'lieux-dits''...and goes on to describe this Champagne as having 'Great power on the palate , expansive, full, and very long. Fabulous...opulent and magnificent'.

• 220.00

  Dom Perignon (Epernay)1999
  Exotic elements are harnessed by hints of peppery spice with notes of brioche, peach and quince all vying for attention. A powerful wine and one that will continue to develop over the next decade. But which can also be enjoyed now.

• 245.00

  Krug, Grande Cuvee, Brut NV
  Indisputably the most majestic non-vintage cuvee this is blended from 10 different vintages and 47 wines from 25 villages. The palate is dominated by honey and nuts with graceful acidity and a long finish. Aged 5-7 years on the lees.