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Thursday, May 26, 2016

Madame Clicquot Ponsardin (bow down)!

Madame Clicquot known as the "Grand Dame of Champagne", was only 27 when she became a widow and took over her husband's wine business 200 + years ago!
Her riddling technique of placing bottles upside down and turning them is still used today. 


This Champagne house has an annual production of approximately 18,000,000 bottles and they ranked number two by volume behind Moët & Chandon in Champagne kingdom. 
Even the 'yellow label' NV is inimitable. 
For such a large operation, the consistency of Veuve Clicquot is truly admirable. 


Instead of showing up to a special event with flowers, why not bring a bottle of yellow level NV 
VC? You can find this bottle for less than $ 50.00 at whole foods or Trader Joes. 
I get mine from San Diego wine Co for just 42.00, in a beautiful metal box. 
We love it so much we even buy a magnum to share with friends.



Concerns and potential problems

I am generally a naturally cheerful person but I do have character flaws. I have serious concerns and
worry about things often. For example, why is there sooo much hair in the tub after i shower?
Am I living beyond my means?
What if i forget the smell of Loui and Orielle's fur?
Or what if i waited way too long to enjoy my 1976 Dom Perignon?

I was conceived in 1976, this is an important vintage.
Maybe I am finally experiencing what they call "First world problems"?
Or spoiled American issues? I can pinpoint which conflict of privilege I could
be judged with!

Dom Perignon has mistakenly been referred to as the person who "invented" Champagne.
The truth is, no one invented Champagne; it invented itself.
All wines begin to bubble the moment grapes are pressed. Yeast on the skin comes into
contact with sugar in the juice, converting it to carbonic gas, a process called fermentation.
In colder wine growing areas (like Champagne) the yeast goes into hibernation during the winter before all the sugar has been converted. In the spring, it wakes up and attacks the sugar which results in a second fermentation, creating BUBBLES.

In Dom Perignon's time, no one really understood yeast and bubbles were considered a flaw.
What Dom Perigean accomplished was something else, he set down some golden rules to wine making. His procedures are followed today: Use only the best grapes, prune vines in early spring to avoid over production, press grapes gently and keep the juices from each press separately.
He possessed  a wonderful palate, he was a genius at blending and because of this he made wine
better than anyone else's. He was the first in Champagne to use corks for sealing bottles!

It is such a tragedy that many of his records were lost during the French revolution.

Did you know that Dom Perignon is the prestige cuvée of Moët & Chandon?
The two brands are under the same umbrella.

Dom is known for its long aging endurance but I know I am really pushing it...


Sunday, May 22, 2016

Grower Champagne ..WTF is GROWER?

Récoltant Manipulant: The French designation for a producer of "GROWER" champagne. 

So what is Grower Champagne? 
It is simply wine produced by the same Champagne house who owns the vineyards. 
A grower champagne can be identified as RM or referred to more commonly as 'grower champagne'. 

Larger houses such as Veuve clicquot who mass produces their famous yellow label brut has to source their grapes from the entire Champagne region.
A grower champagne such as Chartogne Taillet (pronounced Shah-tone- Tie-yair) obtain their grapes from their single and owned vineyards, terroir being at the forefront of things. 

Grower Champagnes are limited to only their vineyard while larger houses have the flexibility of the entire region. 

My favorite grower Champagne so far is the Chartogne tailed cuvée le rosé brut NV. 
60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, vinified in stainless stell tanks. 
A great rosé at an enticing price!
This bottle provided depth and dimension with incredible fragrance. 
2008 base vintage; a masterfully crafted rosé!
I first tasted at village vino in San Diego but is is now sold out.

WHERE TO BUY:
I can't find this bottle anywhere locally.
I ordered online (best price) from Hi times in Costa Mesa for 
49.98 as of today. 
Wine spectator rating is 93 points but it think points are for people who have no opinion of their own.
Trust your own taste and preference, taste as many bottles as you can and enjoy!

SPECIAL CLUB

Today was my first visit to the liberty station public market in San Diego, CA. 
I have posted my yelp review of the "Grape Smuggler" for any locals who wish to
know about my experience there. 
I brought home a Gaston Chiquet (pronounced Gas-toh- shi khe) 2005 special club bottle.



So what is SPECIAL CLUB?
This is a club of 28 producers of 'grower' champagne who since 1971 act as their own
judge and jury when blindly tasting wine to decide which ones have the potential to be an exceptional champagne. Once approved, the wine goes through a second formation and bottled in a uniquely shaped special club bottle (look for the special club logo on the glass - see picture above).
Every special club bottle is assured to be great, a special club can only be made for outstanding vintage years, each champagne is subject to two blind tasting before and after bottling.
The beauty of grower champagne is that each house is devoted to their grapes and passionately work to display their quality and unique characters. 
Blog entry on GROWER champagne coming soon!

WHERE TO BUY:
In San Diego - Best price i found was at the Grape smuggler in liberty station, $ 80.00 as of today.
On line - 89.00 plus shipping and handling.