Summer is undoubtedly the ideal season to enjoy the climate and the beauty of the vineyards in Champagne, nature is luxuriant and the landscape an enchanting green expanse with its rows that wind for kilometers between hills and small towns.
And what's better than a few days away from the daily routine to discover the famous Champagne cellars? Many of the most prestigious Maisons keep their bottles in suggestive chalk quarries organized in dense networks of underground galleries that reveal centuries of history.
The richness of Champagne's viticultural heritage is invaluable, a precious set of culture, traditions and social relationships that have been intertwined for centuries and which are the reflection of the exclusive image of Champagne in the world. Then, no wonder that Coteaux, Maisons and Caves de Champagne have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites (July 4, 2015).
Even in summer the work in the vineyard doesn’t stop and the Vignerons take care of the bunches which ripen quickly in these months. The vigorous foliage that protects them from the sun's rays and heat is thinned out to ensure the perfect balance between light and shade and to avoid the formation of wet areas that could favor the proliferation of molds and parasites. Similarly, to give balance to the plant and contribute to the uniform ripening of the grapes, selective thinning is done, which involves the removal of excess bunches. This practice promotes a qualitatively better production as the lifeblood is concentrated in the bunches present. Finally, with topping, the shoots are regulated and the growth of the plant is contained so that it can grow in a healthy and balanced way.
If you are thinking about some new Champagne for the summer, some connoisseur gems to try during an aperitif or a shared dinner, here is a selection from the NEWS that you can find available in our online shop.
We have deliberately chosen Blanc de Blancs and Champagne with a significant component of Chardonnay, little or no dosed, fresh and mineral, which in our opinion are extraordinarily suitable for the hot season.
- Champagne Extra Brut Les Suzaines 2018, Sadi Malot. 100% Chardonnay from vineyards in organic conversion of the homonymous Lieu-Dit in Verzy, Grand Cru of the Montagne de Reims. This Champagne vinifies in 950 L ovoid concrete vats which favor its natural micro-oxygenation. Fresh and mineral, the palate is lively and persistent with elegant floral notes.
- Champagne Extra Brut Blanc De Blancs, Lelarge-Pugeot. We are in the Montagne de Reims, and more precisely in some of the Premier Cru parcels of Vrigny. This 100% Chardonnay Cuvée ferments in steel and then ages on the yeasts for 4 years. Dosage of only 2 g/l. A Champagne of pleasant drinkability and character, with sparkling freshness. The palate is a fruity aromatic range with mineral nuances of chalk and riper notes of honey and almond.
- Champagne Extra Brut Lutétien V18, Legrand-Latour. Blanc de Blancs 100% Chardonnay from the village of Vandieres, in the Vallée de la Marne. A Champagne with a vigorous territorial identity that comes from Thibault Legrand's idea of "Hyper Territory", i.e. creating Champagne based on the geological era of the origin of territory from which the grapes come. Minerality and freshness in perfect balance with a silky and creamy structure that is very pleasant on the palate. A limited production not to be missed.
- Champagne Extra Brut Cuvée Vive, Claude Cazals. 100% Chardonnay from Grand Cru grapes of Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger in the Côte des Blancs. Purity and finesse are the main characteristics of this low-dosed Champagne with a fresh vivacity.
- Champagne Brut Nature Terre De Vertus Magnum 2014, Larmandier-Bernier. Chardonnay from Vertus vineyards, in the Côte des Blancs, where the soils are pure chalk and give the wines purity and minerality. The citrus, fresh and chalky nose gives way to the mineral, long palate with a crunchy sip. The Larmandier-Bernier Style in a Magnum version.
- Champagne Extra Brut Infini, Thévenet-Delouvin. Limited edition of only 400 bottles per year, this Champagne is the result of the blending of Chardonnay and Meunier from grapes from vineyards in the Vallée de la Marne. Elaborated on the principle of the perpetual reserve created starting from the 2010 harvest, it surprises for its complexity of aromas and for its characteristic iodized finish. Dosage of only 1.4 g/l.
- Champagne Brut Nature Le Mont De Tauxières 2017, Georges Remy. From the homonymous parcel of the Grand Cru of Bouzy, in the Montagne de Reims, this Champagne is the blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Intense mineral expression, the palate is incredibly balanced and offers an intense freshness and elegance. Limited edition of only 1,000 bottles.
- Champagne Extra Brut Rosé, Maurice Choppin. We are in the limestone terroirs of the village of Damery in the Vallée de la Marne where the Domaine Maurice Choppin creates its wines by adopting an approach of limited interventionism. This Rosé is obtained from the blending of Chardonnay vinified in fûts de chêne and Coteaux Champenoise rouge from Meunier grapes vinified and aged in terracotta amphorae. A taut and fresh wine, with red fruit tones, round and balanced.
Discover here all the NEWS available in our GLUGULP! online shop.