The name Champagne derived from the Latin term Campania, originally described the rolling open countryside just north of Paris. Over time, the word Champagne became synomous with the millions of bottles of sparkling wine it produces every vintage. With its three main centers of Rheims, Épernay, and Ay, Champagne was the first region to make sparkling wine in any quantity. One of the regions unique qualities lies its latitudinal location. The region of Champagne streches farther north than any other wine region of any significance. Just 90 miles north east of Paris, the extensive chalk laden soils are coverd in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier vines. What separates Champagne from other sparkling wines is its quality and care taken in production. Each bottle of wines attain its bubbles individually through an extensive method of fermentation known as the Method Champagnoise.
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Item SPK2001
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Aubry
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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Item SPK141
Pinot Noir: WA 96 pts
"The estate’s 1996 Clos Saint-Hilaire emerges from a one hectare plot that was planted with 100% Pinot Noir in 1964. This golden-hued wine flows from the glass with extraordinary elegance. Delicate notes of biscuit, honey, acacia and roasted nuts are woven into a mousse of sublime refinement. Notes of white pepper, honey, pear and minerals appear on a finish that frames the wine with superb harmony. In 1998 the fermentations were extremely slow, and this wine saw no malolactic fermentation. This is an exceptionally fine, seamless Champagne that is a must-have wine for those lucky enough to find it."
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Billecart-Salmon
Primary Varietal:
Pinot Noir
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Item SPK123
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir: First created in the 1982, Billecart-Salmon Grande Cuvée comes from the finest grand cru sites. The Champagne spends 10 years in the house's cellar before release onto the market. An extremely complex sparkling wine, Billecart-Salmon 1996 Grande Cuvée should certainly be included in any Champagne-lover's cellar. Richard Juhlin 96 pts
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Billecart-Salmon
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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Item SPK136
Chardonnay: A similar selection of grand cru grapes as the 1998 Blanc de Blancs, however the NV is a blend of two separate vintages.
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Billecart-Salmon
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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Item SPK120
Chardonnay: The blend for the NV Reserve has remained unchanged since 1945: grapes from three different years - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier from the best sites of the Marne.
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Billecart-Salmon
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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Item SPK124
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier: WS 91 pts
"Aromatic and spicy, with cedar, honey and ginger notes matching a firm structure and lean, intense character. Fine length."
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Billecart-Salmon
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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Item SPK184
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier: WS 91 pts
"Aromatic and spicy, with cedar, honey and ginger notes matching a firm structure and lean, intense character. Fine length."
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Billecart-Salmon
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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Item SPK213
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Billecart-Salmon
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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Item SPK125
Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir: WA 90 pts
"The NV Brut Rose is especially full-bodied in this year’s version, which is based on 2005. Gorgeous notes of freshly cut flowers, raspberries, spices and minerals flow from this delicious Champagne. The wine possesses outstanding harmony, particularly in the way the fruit carries through to the long finish."
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Billecart-Salmon
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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Item SPK223
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Billiot, H.
Primary Varietal:
Pinot Noir
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Item SPK156
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay: Wine Spectator 94 pts
"Very appealing for its potpourri of spices. Clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice pick up cherry and orange peel notes as this unfolds on the palate. Dry, intense and well-balanced, with a long finish. Ideal for food. Drink now through 2020."
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Bollinger
Primary Varietal:
Pinot Noir
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Item SPK221
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Bouchard, Cedric
Primary Varietal:
Pinot Noir
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Item SPK222
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Bouchard, Cedric
Primary Varietal:
Pinot Noir
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Item SPK187
Pinot Noir: WA 94 pts
"The NV Brut Grand Cru Classe 1911 is best described as a multi-vintage wine, composed of 50% 1996 and 25% each 1995 and 1997. I have had the 1911 at least four times over the last few months and never been anything less than deeply impressed. A richly-textured, expansive Champagne, the 1911 bursts from the glass with expressive layers of perfumed Pinot fruit. The wine possesses stunning depth, clarity and precision in an utterly engaging style, with never-ending waves of fruit that caress the palate from start to finish. Precise chalky notes frame a sublime finish. Simply put this is remarkable juice, and one of the best relative values readers will find in Champagne."
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Clouet
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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Item SPK188
Pinot Noir: WA 90 pts
"The NV Brut Grande Reserve offers up layers of mineral-infused red fruits on a silky, mid-weight frame, with gorgeous length and a refined, subtle mousse. This impeccable, elegant wine shows terrific overall balance as well as complexity."
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Clouet
Primary Varietal:
Pinot Noir
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Item SPK220
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Clouet
Primary Varietal:
Pinot Noir
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Item SPK226
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Clouet
Primary Varietal:
Pinot Noir
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Item SPK216
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Gimmonet, Pierre
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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Item SPK197
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Henriot
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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Item SPK149
Region:
Champagne
,
France
Producer:
Henriot
Primary Varietal:
Chardonnay
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