Founded in 1818 by husband and wife Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, the Billecart-Salmon House is rich with history. For nearly two hundred years, the Billecart family has been handing down the secrets to making exceptional champagne from generation to generation. The Champagne House is special for many reasons, but one notable reason is that it is one of very few to remain Family owned. The Billecart-Salmon House covers around 50 hectares, and gets its grapes from a total of 170 hectares of land. Frequently cited for the quality of its vintages, the House pays particular attention to selecting the best grapes.

Its superb maturity tantalizes all the senses with a deep pink robe highlighted with glints of copper, an extremely delicate persistent effervescence, a nose of crushed strawberries, lime and liquorice underlined by a hint of roast coffee and cacao. The palate is entranced by a variation of gourmet sensations. The fresh, precise and taut attack gives way to reveal a supple, molten and heady structure. The finish imparts fruity notes underscored by a saline freshness. With the purity of its precise, gourmet aromatic structure, the Comtes de Champagne Rosé is perfectly in line with its predecessors and promises to offer excellent ageing potential.

What wonderful spicy aromatics intertwined with delicious soft red fruits with lifted white floral, citrus overlays. Wonderfully textured and fulsome on the palate, there is balanced spine of mineral acidity that finishes fresh, zesty and leaves you wanting more. Delicious!

2019 is the new release of the Special Club from Marc Hebrat, and it looks to be another magnificent vintage for this much-loved producer. Marc Hebrart has been a member of the Club Trésors de Champagne or Special Club since 1985 and has continued their presence among the select producers in the club after Marc's son Jean-Paul assumed control. The blend here is 55% pinot and 45% Chardonnay from the villages of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ 1er Cru (65%), Aÿ Grand Cru (25%), Oiry Grand Cru (5%), and Couilly Grand Cru (5%). Richard Juhlin states that Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ should be a Grand Cru village, and when compared to the Champagnes of Ay, they are almost indistinguishable.

The House of Ruinart stands in a league of its own, defying convention and captivating with its unique legacy. Founded in 1729, it holds the distinction of being the very first Champagne House, a visionary endeavour inspired by the foresight of a monk who possessed a remarkable intuition far beyond his era. In the heart of the Champagne region, specifically in Reims, a significant moment unfolded on September 1st, 1729. It was then that Nicolas Ruinart, driven by the profound influence of his visionary monk uncle, drafted the historic charter that marked the birth of Maison Ruinart, forever etching its name as the world's pioneer in champagne production. Little did they know that this bold initiative would pave the way for an enduring enterprise that thrives and prospers even after nearly three centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the course of history. During the remarkable period of the mid-18th century, Ruinart made a significant acquisition to enhance its champagne production. The House secured ownership of ancient crayères, subterranean chalk quarries meticulously carved beneath the historic city of Reims. These extraordinary caverns served as the ideal sanctuary for storing their precious bottles, ensuring optimal aging and maturation. Building upon its reputation for innovation, Ruinart continued to push boundaries. In 1764, the House achieved yet another milestone by successfully shipping the first-ever Rosé champagne across the vast expanse of Europe. This ground-breaking achievement introduced a new dimension to the world of champagne, captivating connoisseurs with its captivating hues and captivating flavors. Bestowed with nobility and adopting the esteemed name Ruinart de Brimont in 1817, the family has diligently guided the House for over two centuries. With each passing generation, a new Head of House emerges, bringing forth their unique talents and unwavering commitment to serve the lineage of Ruinart. This steadfast succession ensures the preservation of the family's legacy, as each successor devotes themselves to upholding the traditions and values that define Ruinart. Their collective efforts have propelled the House to unparalleled heights, solidifying its reputation as a bastion of excellence in the world of champagne. The rosé prestige cuvée of Champagne Ruinart, Dom Ruinart Rosé is a Grand Cru only blend of Dom Ruinart Chardonnay topped off with 15% red wine from the Montagne de Reims. Since the first vintage in 1966, this cuvée is consistently ranked amongst the greatest rosés on the market. The Pinot Noir red wine is sourced from the Grand Cru villages of Sillery and Verzenay and macerated on the skins for nine days before pressing, extracting the pink colour and soft fruit tannins. Blending this red wine into the assemblage gives a rosé with a vibrant, deep coral colour. Dom Ruinart Rosé 2009 is composed of 85% Grand Cru chardonnays, predominantly from the Côte des Blancs (Cramant, Avize, Chouilly, and Mesnil-sur-Oger), the Montagne de Reims (Sillery), and 15% Aÿ Grand Cru pinot noirs. In 2009, hail, rain, and wind disrupted the flowering process but were soon replaced by a dry summer. These summer conditions allowed for the perfect maturation of the grapes until the mid-September harvest. The average sunshine, combined with cool temperatures, enhanced the fruit's aroma while preserving the right acidity sought after by the Maison. Dom Ruinart Rosé 2009 reveals a delicate pink colour with raspberry highlights. The first nose reveal spicy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, which mingle with refreshing citrus aromas such as blood orange and kumquat. Second impressions are more floral, unveiling violet and peony complemented by fresh, iodised oyster shell notes. The attack is enveloping and silky with notes of tangy red fruits such as pomegranate and redcurrant. The mid-palate is smooth and saline. Firm and intense, the finish is supported by a delicate bitterness and a fine effervescence. Drink now to 2032+

Moët & Chandon’s vines grow on terroirs in the heart of the Champagne region, characterized by their unique geology and climate. Moët Impérial is the House’s iconic champagne. Created in 1869, it embodies Moët & Chandon’s unique style, a style distinguished by its bright fruitiness, its seductive palate and its elegant maturity. Created from more than 100 different wines, of which 20% to 30% are reserve wines specially selected to enhance its maturity, complexity and constancy, the assemblage reflects the diversity and complementarity of the three grapes varietals, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. Moët & Chandon Ice Rose Impérial is the first and only rosé champagne especially created to be enjoyed on ice. A new champagne tasting experience that brings together pleasure, freshness and the free spirit of summer time. The profile of each wine was meticulously chosen for its specific contribution to the assemblage. With a majority of Pinot Noir (45-55%) chosen for both the intensity of the fruit and the structural integration of the dosage, Pinot Meunier (35-45%) to add richness and middle notes of harmony and suppleness, with a small amount of Chardonnay for polished acidity and a refreshing finish. 20% to 30% of especially selected reserve wines round out the assemblage by enhancing its intensity, richness and consistency. Vivid pink with golden highlights and a vibrant, fruity bouquet with scents of fragrant red berries and cherries, nuances of fig and nectarine and an appetizing note of grenadine. The lucious palate combines sweetness and firmness. The sweetness reminiscent of berries disperses and becomes lighter, a harmonious balance of fruitiness and freshness with a deliciously bittersweet note of pink grapefruit to finish.

The new, revolutionary Mumm Cordon Rosé champagne bottle is the result of the combined dynamism of the Chef de caves and designer Ross Lovegrove who created an optimal oenological shape with a red ribbon indented into the glass in place of a traditional label. To the eye, this champagne is a pale salmon pink with hints of orange. The nose has intense fruit aromas with fresh cherries, redcurrants, and strawberries with an undercurrent of caramel and vanilla. The palate has is dry with hints of summer fruits. A long, savoury finish.