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Champagne and Imported Sparkling Wines
 Of the great wines of France, Champagne is the newest arrival. Champagne as a district has been making wine since the early Roman times, and by the ninth century it had become sufficiently well established as a high quality region for distinction to be drawn between the wines of the Vallee de la Marne and those of the Montagne de Reims. From this time on it went from strength to strength: by the early sixteenth century, the wine of Ay had become so highly prized that it was said to be 'the ordinary drink of Kings and Princes. It was not until the seventeenth century, however, that the first sparkling wines made their appearance, and not until the nineteenth century that Champagne came to be synonymous with sparkling wine. neither were the numerous special techniques essential for making Champagne all discovered by discovered by one person - notwithstanding the extraordinary feats popularly attributed to Dom Perignon nor at any one time.
The evolution of the present day method of making clear sparkling wine using the second fermentation took over 200 years. Champagne is a wine that appeals to the broadest senses, rather than to the particular. It is the overall impression it leaves in the mouth after it is swallowed which matters most .It is true that the greatest Champagnes are wines of extraordinary finesse, balance, and above all else length of flavours, the intrinsic quality of these wines is on a par with the greatest of the still white or red table wines. Just as the Burgundians place special emphasis on the bouquet, the Bordelais on the palate and structure, so the Champenois claim the finish and, in particular, the aftertaste as a special feature of their wine. Not that all Champagnes taste the same, there is a world of difference between a Pol Roger and a Krug,a Taittinger and Bollinger, let a alone between a vintage Champagne of one of the grandes marques and a non vintage, "buyer's own brand" from one of the cooperatives. Yet the overall consistency of the quality and style and non - vintage Champagne from the grandes marques exceeds that of any other category of wine in any region - an astonishing achievement, given the marginal climate in which the Champenois grow their their grapes, and the fluctuations in supply and demand which they so skilfully manage from making viewpoints.
 Assemblage known as blending is the most critical stage of the long and delicate process which makes the finished Champagne. It is the art that made Dom Perignon the most famous oenologist of his day, indeed, perhaps the famous winemaker in history. Blending involves a detailed knowledge of the past, present, and future of the materials, and requires highly specialized tasting skills which can see beyond the often hard, acidic, thin, and chalky base wines that give only a barest glimpse of how they will taste once they have been blended, undergone the second fermentation, benefited from contact with yeasts during years of maturation on the lees, and been adjusted for sweetness using liqueur d'expedition.
The task demands the mental skill of a chess grand master as literally endless permutations and combinations are considered. The blenders at Moet & Chandon typically have 300 different base wines from any one vintage to deal with the possible permutations are beyond calculation. one of the most fascinating, and important aspects of Champagne is the use of "reserve" wine held from earlier vintages. It may be held in magnums under slight gaseous pressure, in stainless steel, or less commonly in oak.
Champagne house's such as Krug have reserve wine of up to twenty years old, although in diminishing quantity with age. They will usually be held over from vintage years,and,tasted on their own, can be superb. reserve wines can be used at three stages in the making of Champagne. They can be incorporated in the primary ferment, then most commonly and importantly at the time of blending or assemblage along with the liqueur de tirage, and least importantly because of the tiny volume with the liqueur d'expedition . All the Champagne houses privately acknowledge that the quality and style of their reserve wines have a powerful influence on their overall house style, but tend to downplay this importance publicly.
 Vintage champagne is strictly directed under European Union legislation, eighty five percent of the wine must be from the stated vintage year, which would allow generous incorporation of reserve wine. Under the appellation controlee of Champagne, the wine must be one hundred percent from its stated vintage. So reserve wines are customarily used in the blending of vintage Champagne - and to its great benefit-just as much as with non-vintage wines. The Champenois and the Comite Interprofessionel du Vin de Champagne are ever alert to emphasize their unique combination of terrior and climate. Champagne is France's northern most vineyard region. Without the special properties of its chalk soil, free - draining and sun reflecting, it would be a very doubtful area for ripening grapes.
At Chancellors Cellars we have assembled an extensive range of famous Champagnes for you to select.
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Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Mini Moet NV France 200ml x24
Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial....The Holy Trinity of Moet & Chandon Champagne varietals Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, from the Great Crus of Champagne in miniature. Moët et Chandon is most notable for its remarkable balance built on intensity and depth. Even in piccolo, the Moet Chandon is generous and distinguishedly flavoured with it's characteristic multi dimensional bouquets and intense creaminess on the palate. The elegant flavours and sublime aromas of this most sought after of Champagnes are tender, warm and long lasting with hints of buttery brioche, ripe pears, almond essences and citrus highlight
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Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV France 375ml x 12
Moet & Chandon is one of the world's most cherished wines and the most popular of all Champagnes. Since 1743 Moet et Chandon has produced a superior quality of wine which gives full expression to the richness and diversity of the fabulous Moet Chandon vineyards, the largest and most prestigious estate in the whole of Champagne. Made up almost exclusively of Premiers Crus and Grands Crus, Moet et Chandon are joyous wines with a generous and seductive personality, distinguished by their sparkling fruitiness, their flavoursome body and their elegant maturity
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Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Gift Box NV France 750ml x 6
Since 1743 Moet & Chandon has produced a superior quality of wine which gives full expression to the richness and diversity of the fabulous Moet Chandon vineyards, the largest and most prestigious estate in the whole of Champagne. Made up almost exclusively of Premiers Crus and Grands Crus, Moet et Chandon are joyous wines with a generous and seductive personality, distinguished by their sparkling fruitiness, their flavoursome body and their elegant maturity. Bright citrus in colour with straw gold tinge. There are voluptuos aromas of tropical fruits, sweet melon, buttery brioche and creamy dried red fruit essences. Bouquets that are florid, impressively vital with nuances of soft spice and elegant dessert cakes. There's an immensely satisfying palate that shows great complex flavours of ripe stonefruits, white berries, white chocolate and subdued vanillan. Toasted nuts, fruit flesh, silky and sublime, the intriguing palate of this exceptional wine culminates in a glorious and unforgettable finish.
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Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Magnum Gift Box NV France 1500ml x 6
Moet & Chandon are joyous wines with a generous and seductive personality, distinguished by their sparkling fruitiness, their flavoursome body and their elegant maturity. In 1446, Jean and Nicolas Moët were made nobles by King Charles VII, thus was born the famous dynasty that later was to give its name to the greatest chapter in the history of champagne. In 1743 one of the descendants of the Moët brothers Claude Moët, who had been a wine trader in Epernay since the early 18th century, founded the Maison Moët. His grandson, Jean Rémy Moët, who was a visionary with a pioneering spirit, transformed this trading company into the world's leading luxury brand which, for over two and a half centuries now, has been the veritable embodiment, around the world, of the genius of Champagne
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Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Jeroboam Wooden Gift Box NV France 3000ml x 1
Moet & Chandon are joyous wines with a generous and seductive personality, distinguished by their sparkling fruitiness, their flavoursome body and their elegant maturity. In 1446, Jean and Nicolas Moët were made nobles by King Charles VII, thus was born the famous dynasty that later was to give its name to the greatest chapter in the history of champagne. In 1743 one of the descendants of the Moët brothers Claude Moët, who had been a wine trader in Epernay since the early 18th century, founded the Maison Moët. His grandson, Jean Rémy Moët, who was a visionary with a pioneering spirit, transformed this trading company into the world's leading luxury brand which, for over two and a half centuries now, has been the veritable embodiment, around the world, of the genius of Champagne
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Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV Rose France 200ml x 24
Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV Rose....A magnificently flavoured wine, Cuvée Rosé is assertive and complex, vibrant and generous. Redolent with bouquets of ripe red fruit, persistence in it's vibrant pinkish mousse, reminiscent of zabayon. Brut Rosé is a seductive wine, the assemblage, which is formed around Pinot Noir, is both spontaneous and balanced, emphasising fruity liveliness. Cuvée Rosé exhibits supple variances of hue, the assemblage gives it femininity. There are coppery shades and light amber tones, the complexity excites, a Champagne of naturalness and sensuality
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Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV Rose France 375ml x 12
Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV Rose....A magnificently flavoured wine, Cuvée Rosé is assertive and complex, vibrant and generous. Redolent with bouquets of ripe red fruit, persistence in it's vibrant pinkish mousse, reminiscent of zabayon. Brut Rosé is a seductive wine, the assemblage, which is formed around Pinot Noir, is both spontaneous and balanced, emphasising fruity liveliness. Cuvée Rosé exhibits supple variances of hue, the assemblage gives it femininity. There are coppery shades and light amber tones, the complexity excites, a Champagne of naturalness and sensuality
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Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Rose NV France 750ml x 6
Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV Rose....A magnificently flavoured wine, Cuvée Rosé is assertive and complex, vibrant and generous. Redolent with bouquets of ripe red fruit, persistence in it's vibrant pinkish mousse, reminiscent of zabayon. Brut Rosé is a seductive wine, the assemblage, which is formed around Pinot Noir, is both spontaneous and balanced, emphasising fruity liveliness. Cuvée Rosé exhibits supple variances of hue, the assemblage gives it femininity. There are coppery shades and light amber tones, the complexity excites, a Champagne of naturalness and sensuality
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Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Rose Gift Box NV France 750ml x 6
Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV Rose....A magnificently flavoured wine, Cuvée Rosé is assertive and complex, vibrant and generous. Redolent with bouquets of ripe red fruit, persistence in it's vibrant pinkish mousse, reminiscent of zabayon. Brut Rosé is a seductive wine, the assemblage, which is formed around Pinot Noir, is both spontaneous and balanced, emphasising fruity liveliness. Cuvée Rosé exhibits supple variances of hue, the assemblage gives it femininity. There are coppery shades and light amber tones, the complexity excites, a Champagne of naturalness and sensuality
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Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial NV France 750ml x 6
Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial is the boldest and most unexpected Moet & Chandon Champagne.Lively and generous, NectarImperial distinguishes itself by its tropical fruitiness, its richess on the palate and its crisp finish that instantly surprise and delight.
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