The house of Besserat de Bellefon was founded in 1843 near Ay in Champagne, and is now based in Epernay. The hallmark of the house is the lower than normal pressure that the wine is kept at under cork. This lower than normal pressure does not reduce the effervescence, but softens it, allowing the wine to partner better with food. Aspect: Deep, intense yellow Bouquet: Citrus, confits, honey, sweet spice, panettone, praline Palate: Generous freshness, opulence, purity, natural, exceptional Assemblage : Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier.

Billecart Salmon is one of the most renowned champagne houses. The dedication to detail and quality sets this producer apart. The blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot Meunier is aged on lees for an impressive nine years and finished with a dosage of 2g/L, offering an extra dry finish.

'Rose were for long regarded as the illegitimate offspring of Champagne, recipients of coarse, heavy pressings wines partially masked by high dosage levels. Today they are routinely priced above 'normal' NV (or vintage) blends and are carefully made. Whether they really merit the premium is irrelevant: the market has spoken. But Laurent-Perrier is a special case: this is 100% pinot noir, rather than a blend coloured by pinot noir red wine. The full salmon colour is an immediate indication of its provenance, the bouquet complex and alluring, leading directly into the cherry and strawberry flavours of the long, sustained palate; excellent finish and aftertaste.' - 95 points, James Halliday Top 100

Founded in 1818 by Nicolas Francois Billecart and his spouse Elizabeth Salmon in Mareuil-sur-Ay, this is one of the few houses that have remained in the same family. Seven generations on, the house is led by the very talented Francois Roland-Billecart. They espouse three principal aims are finesse, balance and elegance and the Brut rose is testament to this. Pale salmon pink in colour, the nose shows lifted red fruits and fresh pear. The Pinot has given structure to the blend while the Chardonnay has given a wonderful elegance and delicacy. A blend of 40% chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier, and 40% Pinot Noir. Of the Pinot component 8% is still wine from the family vineyards in Mareuil.

Veuve Clicquot is widely regarded as one of the great Champagne houses. A pioneer in Champagne, Madame Clicquot's legacy can still be tasted in every bottle of Veuve. The Vintage by Veuve is a typically generous and full-bodied style of Champagne with all the toastiness and notes of brioche lover of Veuve have come to expect.

Made only in exceptional years, Brut vintage reflects both the Louis Roederer house style and the characteristic of the year. Aged for 5 years, the vintage is created from 66 per-cent Pinot Noir and 34 per-cent Chardonnay. The elegant straw gold colour is home to a fine necklace of bubbles. Gentle mousse typical of the vintage with great maturity. The complexity gives a wide spectrum of rich aromas : pears, prunes, white peaches and nectarine Convinced yet?

Perrier-Jouet is one of France's most historic and distinctive champagne houses. With over 200 years of producing elegant floral champagnes from the chardonnay grape, the Perrier -Jouet family has an obsession with quality. Since the 18th Century, the champagne house has only had 7 Cellar Masters. In the mouth the wine is fresh, tangy and invigorating with a mineral intensity on the finish. This is a vivacious wine of immense energy and vitality.