Region: Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France NV
Varietal: 80% Pinot Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir, and 10% Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: This wine displays a brilliant straw-yellow core with light gold and green reflections on the rim. Rich and creamy aromas of red and yellow apple, quince, lemon blossom, white mushroom, honeysuckle, hazelnut, and delicate purple flowers are woven around a strong core of mineral notes. The wine matches its rich body, but delivers an added layer of dense and creamy fruit, giving it a textured, yet ethereal feel— that’s the power of ripe Meunier.
Pairing: Springrolls w/Spicy Sweet Chili Sauce, fried mushrooms, fresh baked bread with oil and dukkah, creamy bries and camembert’s cheeses, shellfish, and spicy Thai dishes all pair very well. One of my favorites is this Deep-Fried Cauliflower With Crispy Dukkah Coating by Martha Rose Shulman. This is a great way to start a meal!
About: The Ponson family cultivates 13 hectares of vines in five premier cru villages in the Petite Montagne de Reims. Their Brut Prestige is a wonderful example of a champagne rooted in Pinot Meunier; where its classic flavors of round, friendly fruits meets hazelnut come together in harmony. On the nose: Notes of blackberry, toasted pear over almond brioche, yellow fruit. The flavors persist on to the palate, where the toasty, almond brioche taste is dominant (though very balanced) in the middle palate and finishes with a pleasant, inviting length; just waiting for you to take another sip.
