We might well be SA’s biggest Champagne fans. Our obsession with Champagne led us to keep exploring the exciting category of Grower Champagnes – the producers who make wines from their own vineyards. We have put together a ‘must-have’ mixed 3-pack of Wine Cellar’s favourites. From some of the most exciting independent Champagne growers and makers on the market, these wines are truly artisanal.
Hugues Godmé (RM*) is one of the finest vignerons in northern Montagne de Reims. He makes Champagnes with great lift, concentration and specificity at a comparably low price. Michel Genet (RM*), who we imported for the first time in 2019, is a blanc de blancs specialist and we have fallen in love with this aromatic and precise Chouilly style. Jacquesson (NM*) sits amongst the elite and is one of our all-time favourite producers. Their wines offer elegance and immense quality with an emphasis on minerality and complexity of fruit. The cuvées have significant gravitas, age beautifully and are great food companions. Their 700 series is consistently proving to be one of the best non-vintage bruts on the market.
For more information on our Grower Champagnes and allocations via Wine Cellar Privé, please contact Jolette.
To taste these newest imports, book a ticket and join us for the Champagne party of the year at Ibis House in Constantia, Cape Town on Friday, 11 September. Experience luxurious Grandes Marques Champagnes and micro-cuvées from Grower Champagne houses. Along with canapé pairings and the best local DJ to keep the dance floor warm, this is not to be missed!
Champagnes include: Agrapart, Bérêche, Billecart-Salmon, Bollinger, Dehours, Dom Pérignon, Drappier, Michel Genet, Hugues Godmé, Jacquesson, Krug, Sténopé, Taittinger and Valentin Leflaive.
Note, space is limited, so please book your tickets online as soon as possible. Your order confirmation email will serve as your ticket.
* RM & NM explained
Often marked on the bottom edge of the back label, you’ll find two letters that can offer up important clues about the specific producer. RM stands for récoltant-manipulant and is text-book Grower Champagne. It accounts for just under 3% of the total market and offers fantastic value. NM means négociant-manipulant and is indicative of any producer that buys in more than 5% of their fruit. Most Champagnes houses and Grandes Marques belong to this category, as does the superb Jacquesson. Apart from Salon, Jacquesson is the smallest of Champagne houses, and farms all their vineyards themselves – including the small portion of grapes that they buy in.
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