In 1818, Madame Clicquot made the first-ever "rosé d'assemblage" champagne by mixing some of her red Bouzy wines with white ones. La Grande Dame Rosé honors her idea by using 90% Pinot Noir from the historical Grands Crus of Aÿ, Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay, and Bouzy, enriched by 10% Chardonnay from Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. This base is then blended with 13% Pinot Noir red wine exclusively from the 'Clos Colin' parcel, situated in Bouzy. Aged on lees for 10 years in bottle before being disgorged and topped with a dosage of 8g/L.

Beautiful pale yellow colourwith glints of gold and green, a vibrant, luminousrobe. Active effervescence with a fine, persistent release of bubbles. At first very intense on the nose, giving way to fresh fruit notes, particularly ripe citrus and exotic fruits (pineapple). A highly refined floralsecond nose with notes of linden and white fruits (white peach). A supple, harmonious attack on the palate, firm but rounded. A voluptuoustexture and vinosity that is not excessive, supported by excellent freshness. A very refreshing mineral finish.

Bernard Lonclas says “making champagne is more than just a trade, it’s a vocation - a calling, even”. We’re glad he’s decided making champagne is his calling, we didn’t know what we were missing until we got this in our glass. This is very much a grower champagne- as rumour would have it Bernard is out hand picking the grapes at the winery just south of Reims during vintage. As Jancis Robinson said, this is not for ‘neophytes’ (for those of you who have to look that word up, so did we). Which just goes to say, this will really excite the nerds and connoisseurs at the party. It’s hard not to appreciate the beauty in the subtle nuances, the florality, the lively body, the creamy texture, and the refreshing finish. With just 10g/L dosage, this will find its groove with the starting nibbles at your next celebration.

Elegant, with colour changing naturally from a pretty raspberry hue to salmon-pink. A precise nose of extraordinary freshness and a wide range of red fruits: raspberry, redcurrant, strawberry, black cherry. A fresh and sharp attack for this supple and rounded wine. On the palate, it offers the sensation of plunging into a basket of freshly picked red berries. Pinot Noir from 10 different crus located mainly in the South and North areas of the Montagne de Reims including the famous Côte de Bouzy. Notably from the finest crus of Ambonnay, Bouzy, Louvois and Tours-sur-Marne. The grapes from carefully selected plots are sorted and destemmed before vatting. The maceration lasting from 48h to 72h depending on the harvest helps the extraction of the colour and the development of the full aromatic richness of the Pinot Noir, with 5 years minimum ageing.

At this price, you won't need to wait for a special occasion. Bichat Brut NV is French champagne at a not-so-French price. It's crisp, clean with a creamy mouth feel that punches well above its weight for French champagne in this price range.