CHAMPAGNE SPECIAL

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Jacquart

What's it all about? Founded in 1964, winemaking collective Jacquart now has

1,800 grower members who between them own an impressive 2,400 hectares of

vineyards, including 10 grands and 22 premiers crus sites, which is a great resource

for blending the range. The collective says that its aim was to create a brand 'born

in the vineyard, not the boardroom'.

Try this Jacquart Rosé Mosaïque is a bright, fresh rosé with an intense salmonpink

hue. Subtle red fruit “ avours (blackcurrant and raspberry) are underscored

by good acidity. Perfect as an aperitif with a plate of olives and charcuterie.

£35, greatwesternwine.co.uk

Time to spare Jacquart 2006 Blanc de Blancs is made in a buttery, rich style

drawing on its access to top-quality Chardonnay vineyards, and as a result, it

ages very attractively. champagne-jacquart.com

Where can you drink it? Adam's in Birmingham, Dorsett Shepherds Bush,

The Gate, Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms in Nottingham, Trinity.

WHY WE LOVE JACQUART… With silver medals at the Sommelier Wine Awards and

scores at competitive tastings beating the grande marques, Jacquart is certainly a brand to watch.

Drappier

What's it all about? Michel Drappier blends tradition with

experimentation, making terroir-led wines that re“ ect the

proximity of Burgundy to this part of Champagne.

Try this Brut Nature is an expressive, pure Pinot Noir

non-dosé Champagne of precision that you'll ‡ nd in

many classy Parisian restaurants. £34.95, slurp.co.uk

Time to spare We love the gorgeous richness and

layered complexity of Drappier's Grande Sendrée

2005. Carte d'Or Brut is made from 80% Pinot Noir

and shows the notes of ‡ ne red fruits this variety

gives in Côte des Bar. champagne-drappier.com

Where can you drink it? The Fat Duck, Geronimo

Inns, The Greenhouse, Le Boudin Blanc, Mari Vanna.

WHY WE LOVE DRAPPIER… The house is a specialist

in large-format bottles for Champagne such as the

30-litre melchizedek. Now that's a party pleaser.

Duval-Leroy

What's it all about? This wholly family-owned house

in Vertus is run by Carol Duval-Leroy: a perfectionist

who's not afraid to experiment, and has used the large

vineyard estate to good e§ ect, producing an eclectic

selection of new cuvées over the past two decades.

Try this Duval-Leroy Brut Rosé Prestige is a delicious

combination of seductiveness and elegance on the

palate, led by Pinot Noir summer fruit “ avours and

lifted by the subtle hint of Chardonnay to add zest. It

makes an excellent aperitif style. £33.05, uvinum.co.uk

Time to spare Duval-Leroy 2006 Grand Cru Blanc de

Blancs is a luxurious, concentrated all-Chardonnay

‡ zz with a “ oral perfumed nose, dense, velvety

palate and long, complex ‡ nish. Try half-bottles

of prestige cuvée 2004 Femme de Champagne

for an elegant treat. duval-leroy.com

Where can you drink it? The Glasshouse,

La Trompette, The May Fair.

WHY WE LOVE DUVAL�LEROY… The Champagne

house's environmentally friendly approach was last year

rewarded when Carol Duval-Leroy received La Tribune

magazine's Women's Award Green Business prize.

non-dosé Champagne of precision that you'll ‡ nd in

many classy Parisian restaurants. £34.95, slurp.co.uk

We love the gorgeous richness and

layered complexity of Drappier's Grande Sendrée

2005. Carte d'Or Brut is made from 80% Pinot Noir

and shows the notes of ‡ ne red fruits this variety

champagne-drappier.com

Where can you drink it? The Fat Duck, Geronimo

Inns, The Greenhouse, Le Boudin Blanc, Mari Vanna.

WHY WE LOVE DRAPPIER… The house is a specialist

in large-format bottles for Champagne such as the

30-litre melchizedek. Now that's a party pleaser.

who's not afraid to experiment, and has used the large

vineyard estate to good e§ ect, producing an eclectic

selection of new cuvées over the past two decades.

Duval-Leroy Brut Rosé Prestige is a delicious

combination of seductiveness and elegance on the

palate, led by Pinot Noir summer fruit “ avours and

lifted by the subtle hint of Chardonnay to add zest. It

£33.05, uvinum.co.uk

Duval-Leroy 2006 Grand Cru Blanc de

Blancs is a luxurious, concentrated all-Chardonnay

‡ zz with a “ oral perfumed nose, dense, velvety

palate and long, complex ‡ nish. Try half-bottles

of prestige cuvée 2004 Femme de Champagne

duval-leroy.com

The Glasshouse,

The Champagne

house's environmentally friendly approach was last year

La Tribune

magazine's Women's Award Green Business prize.

La Trompette

Snail Porridge at The Fat Duck