We selected two family owned maisons; each of these producers represent two different philosophies on how to create amazing bubbles. One style is rich and voluptuous, and the other is nervous, intriguing and ethereal.
A Votre Santé!
Elio Longobardi
Wine Buyer
Champagne Lanson, White Label Sec-Dry
Region / Country of Origin: Reims, Champagne, France
Winemaker: Herve Dantan
About the Winery: Lanson has remained a family owned business since it originated in 1760. With 150 sites contracted from were to source the grapes for their wines, Champagne Lanson is not small producer by any means, but their approach is that of a family run operation. Their relationships with the wine growers are based more on mutual respect and friendship than mere business contacts. In 1798, Nicolas-Louis Delamotte, the younger son of founder Francois Delamotte, took over from his father. Having been admitted as a knight of the Order of Malta at a very young age, he decided to use the Maltese Cross as the House’s emblem. Now revised, the Lanson cross has become the icon of the company. The ‘White Label’ was created for Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, as white is the dress color for the tennis players when they play Wimbledon.
About the Winemaking: Lanson White Label is a blend of 38% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier. The wine doesn’t go through malolactic fermentation to guarantee freshness. It’s higher dosage encourages the circulation of the garnish aromas.
Tasting Notes: The color is a warm gold. The nose brings whiffs of fresh baked brioches, Golden Delicious apple and pear notes, and white flowers bouquet. The palate is greeted by a juicy acidity and mouth filling pleasant sensation.
Price per bottle / Price per case: $47/ $507.60
Suggested Food Pairing: This champagne is designed to be partnered with garnishes such as orange zest, raspberry and mint. A great all-meal champagne; from fois gras torcion to seafood fritto misto and oysters Rockefeller.
Champagne Lombard, Brut Nature, Verzenay Grand Cru
Region / Country of Origin: Epernay, Champagne, France
Winemaker: Christophe Pitois
About the Winery: Champagne Lombard is situated in he heart of Epernay, and they champion the diversity of the different terroirs in Champagne. The environment has great importance in their winemaking approach; the grape varieties live and grow in distinct soil types, and Lombard Estate strives to express those different identities in their full range of cuvees.
About the Winemaking: The grapes for this particular cuvee come all from Grand Cru vineyards in Verzenay, from vines planted on silt and limestone soil. The blend for this bottle is made by 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. It is disgorged without dosage after four years of cave again at Lombard.
Tasting Notes: Light gold color with fine bubbles. Aromatically rich of flowers, tart green apples, lemons, some strawberries, complex, evolving minerals, salty, shells, and chalk dust. Brisk, dry, almost bracing, but lots of depth, too. Lemons, green apples, apricots, with a complex host of chalky, saline-infused, shell-crushed are detected after few sips. Almost austere on the finish but with elegance and complexity.
Price per bottle / Price per case: $66/$712.80
Suggested Food Pairing: drink on its own as aperitif, with fresh shellfish or grilled swordfish steak with capers vinaigrette. Paris well with wild game birds, as well as charcuterie and cheese.
