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.

Named in honour of founding father Nicolas Francois, this fabulous wine is the finest expression of the House Style. A pale golden colour with a lively, fine bead. The nose shows very ripe fruit, floral notes and hints of warm brioche. The palate is fine, elegant and rich with wonderful balance and length. Cuvee Nicolas-Francois Billecart 1959 won first place in the Champagne of the Millennium 1999, out of 150 of the finest 20th century champagnes.

Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque is one of the world's truly great elegant Champagnes. Named after the 'golden age' in France during the late 19th century, Belle Époque is still today bottled in the striking hand-painted bottle that is instantly recognisable the world over. A 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir and 5% Pinot Meunier, the strength of this prestige cuvée is in its finesse and elegance rather than power or fruit. Adding to this spectacular Champagne's aura of grace and class was the fact that is was personally chosen to be the Champagne poured at the Monaco wedding of HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene.

This champagne is a brightly sparkling, light golden yellow liquid with an abundance of fine and elegant bubbles. The nose reveals initial aromas of ripe fresh fruit (white and yellow peaches, apricots), tropical notes (lychee and pineapple). It then opens up with the fragrance of vanilla before developing notes of milky caramel, breadcrumbs and yeast, culminating in aromas of dried fruit and honey. An explosion of freshness in the mouth, followed by strong persistence. The complex aromas of fresh fruit and caramel perpetuate the intensity. Mumm Grand Cordon signifies triumph and elation – a symbol of success to be experienced and celebrated, whether as a toast for the ultimate moment or savoured with a meal of white meat or fish such as monkfish or red mullet. Mumm Cordon Rouge provides a distinctive aperitif with confident freshness. When combining with food, its aromatic richness perfectly compliments white meat and fish such as monkfish or red mullet, taking the experience to new heights. The crisp elegant structure of the champagne also complements the creamy flavours of foie gras, making an exhilarating contrast.

Champagne authority Peter Liem writes that “among all Champagne villages, Aӱ is the most historically esteemed… Today, its terroir is still just as storied, and its grapes are sought after by winemakers across the region.” It is perhaps no surprise that the poet Alfred de Vigny declared in 1853 that “the mousse of Aÿ radiates happiness”. From a Grand Cru where Pinot Noir reigns supreme, Bérêche’s cuvée is sourced from less than a hectare of 40+-year-old vines at 280 metres’ elevation in the cool parcels of Brise Pot and Froide-Terre, bordering Mutigny in Grande Vallée de la Marne, where thin topsoils (at a maximum of 30cm) rest over dense Campanian chalk. Pinot Noir (75%) and Chardonnay (25%) fermented slowly in barrels and aged on lees in bottle for 78 months. The dosage was under 3 g/L. It’s a striking, penetrating Champagne whose depth of crystalline white fruits and soft spices is matched by its sinewy, chalky length and cut-glass precision. A flat-out stunner.

Krug Grand Cuvee is unique in the world of premium champagne in so much as rather than being a vintage champagne it is re-created every year, and is a blend of over 120 individual wines from more than 10 different years. The fullness or flavours and aromas achieved by this careful art of blending would be impossible to express with the wines of a single year. Recognised as the first and last word in luxury, Krug is rightfully recognised as the King of Champagnes. Fun fact: Each bottle of Krug has a unique ID which allows the drinker to learn the Winemaking team's impressions of the year, a detailed story of the bottle, food pairing suggestions, recommendations for ideal storage and service, as well as Krug Music Pairing suggestions to enhance every Krug Lover’s tasting. Luxurious indeed.

The Champagne Pascal Agrapart Grand Cru Avizoise Blanc de Blancs (Disg. Jul 24) 2018 is a standout example of the renowned quality and finesse of Champagne. This vintage 2018 offering from the esteemed Agrapart estate in France showcases the purest expression of Chardonnay, with a striking pale golden colour and a fine, persistent bead. On the nose, delicate aromas of white flowers, lemon peel, and toasted brioche give way to a complex palate of ripe green apple, citrus, and subtle mineral notes. The mouthfeel is rich and creamy, yet perfectly balanced with a refreshing acidity that leads to a long, elegant finish. This champagne is a testament to the mastery and dedication of Pascal Agrapart, and is sure to impress even the most discerning of palates. Enjoy now or cellar for future enjoyment.

Cristal is a remarkably balanced and refined champagne whose length is inimitable. It has a silky texture and fruity aromas, complemented by a powerful mineral quality with white fruit and citrus notes. Cristal is a wine that keeps well: it can be conserved for over twenty years without losing its freshness and character. Produced uniquely during the best years, when the Chardonnay (around 40%) and Pinot noir (around 60%) grapes have attained perfect maturity, Cristal is aged for 6 years in Louis Roederers cellars and left for a further 8 months after dégorgement. Today Louis Roederer remains one of the very few remaining family owned Houses in Champagne with 7th generation Frederic Rouzaud at the helm. From the 100 hectares acquired in 1850 by Louis Roederer, the Domaine today extends over 240 hectares averaging 98% on the official Echelle classification. All vineyard acquisitions follow Louis Roedererâs strict 70% policy â that is ownership of at least 70% of the total production. All Louis Roederer Cuvees are Estate grown with the exception of Brut Premier which is 60% estate fruit and 40% fruit sourced from long-term contracted growers. Louis Roederer farm 65 Ha of their Domaine vineyards under a biodynamic and organic regime as part of what Chef de Cave Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon says is a work in progress. In 2012 Louis Roederer became the largest biodynamic producer in Champagne.