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.