I recently had the chance to pop open a new Champagne…or at least one that was new to me. It turned about to be a great apéritif before a large family meal, and seemed to be a real crowd pleaser.

Champagne De Margerie à Bouzy Grand Cru Brut is a non-vintage Champagne from Bouzy (one of the famed Grand cru villages in the Marne department of Champagne) and it is produced by Georges Veselle Vineyards. (The late M. Veselle was Mayor of Bouzy for 25 years, and was the former vineyard manager for G.H.Mumm, Perrier-Jouët and Heidsieck & Co. Monopole – so he knew how to craft fine bubbly, and his sons have taken over admirably since his passing.)

De Margerie is a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, which results in a medium-bodied pale gold sparkler with a profusion of pin-point bubbles. It has a whiff of vanilla and white flowers on the nose, and a rush of red fruit on the palate, with subtle nuances of brioche and almonds that make for a pleasingly long finish. While it is appropriately labeled a Brut, its residual sugar probably falls on the higher end of the Brut range – which makes for a more approachable style that can be enjoyed by most guests.

A word of warning, however – I opened two bottles with my handy Laguiole Champagne Opener, and controlling the cork was still difficult each time. Those two bottles had more pressure than any bottle of sparkling wine I’ve encountered to date, so take extra care when opening. (Of course, if you intend to open it with a saber to impress your special Valentine, the extra pressure should make for an impressive and memorable display.)

Santé!

Suggested pairings:

La Vie En Rose – Louis Armstrong (1950)
Corcovado (Quiet Night of Quiet Stars) – Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto (1963)