The arrival of the late great Daniel Thibault transformed Piper-Heidsieck beyond recognition. The style is now fuller and rounder with elegance and charm. The cepage is an equal blend of all 3 varieties and shows good balance and length. The wine is a fresh aperitif style which is much finer than is often given credit for. Marilyn Monroe famously declared that she went to bed every night with Chanel No5 behind her ears and woke up every morning with a glass of Piper-Heidsieck.

With over 200 years of history in every bottle, its no wonder Charles de Cazanoves Head Winemaker, Christophe Rapeneau, was named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge 2017. We think its great value from one of the largest family owned champagne producers in the world. A very fruity, powerful nose (cherries, strawberries). A delicious, structured, complex attack, followed by a very fruity finish accompanied by vanilla notes.

Grand Crus, especially Cramant and Chouilly are always dominant in this blend, but anyway, Cuis 1er cru is always essential to sign the fresh and delicate "Pierre Gimonnet & Fils' style". A great wine is a balanced wine between structure, fruit, elegance and finesse, freshness and minerality. The champagnes of Pierre Gimonnet & Fils are intricately assembled by masterful hands exclusively from enviably positioned and painstakingly tended old vines. Every cuvee sings its aspiration of 'precision, purity and minerality', each speaking articulately of its place in the northern Côte des Blancs through expressive, chalky minerality, without one molecule of detailout of place. With high-strung tension, crystalline structure and rapier-sharp precision, these are blanc de blancs champagnes charged with an energy that will sustain them long indeed. They represent some of the best-value apéritif champagnes of all. The Champagne Guide 2016-2017, Tyson Stelzer www.tysonstelzer.com

Egly Ouriet Brut Tradition NV possesses gorgeous warmth and openness in a radiant, broad-shouldered style that is impossible to resist. Deep and textured through to the finish, the Tradition Grand Cru combines richness and minerality with notable finesse. Spice and smoke nuances add complexity on the dazzling finish.

This is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from 40 year-old vines on the chalk slopes of Ambonnay. The wine was aged completely in barrel, no malo and less than 2 g/l dosage. Stupendous depth and concentration with layers upon layer of smoky dark fruit no

Lively and full on the palate, underlined by balanced, measured oak aromas. A delicious, harmonious, well-balanced finish.

The distinctive, geologically complex terroir of Chavot and the Coteaux Sud d'Épernay in general is very different to the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims areas where our other growers are based, and the style of wine is creamier and with more fruit.

Mumm 4 is a striking, modern reinterpretation of the champagne maturation process breaking all the traditional codes associated with champagne. This mature wine is clearly labelled to show the number of years spent on the lees rather than any specific vintage year. The look: Exuberant bubbles with reflections of gold, showing discrete maturity. The aromas: Complex ripe aromas of yellow and white fruit, peach marmalade and buttercream alight entice. The taste: Fresh, lively and rounded, yet with a tension that plays right through to the finish. Mumm 4 can be savoured slowly to enjoy the deep complexity or enjoyed matched with poultry with chanterelles and apricot compote, or truffled Brie.