From: Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
Blend: 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay
Taste: “The 2019 Champagne Cuvée Paradoxe Brut is, as the name suggests, a departure from the house range, coming in as 90% Pinot Noir from Aÿ and the rest Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. On opening, it displays a deeper straw hue, although it’s not over extracted. Aromas open to blackcurrant, brioche, rosemary, and crushed stone, and on the palate the wine is medium to full-bodied and ripe with a grapefruit citrus tone, an expanding mousse, and a long finish that closes with a savory flourish. This lovely wine retains the elegance of the Gimmonet range. Drink 2024-2034.” 93 points, Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (Nov 2023)
"Well-honed acidity provides linear drive and fine definition, cutting a swathe through the creamy mousse and layered flavors of crŠme de cassis, whole-grain toast and creamed apple, backed by hints of ground ginger, cardamom and white pepper. Fresh and minerally on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged December 2022. Drink now through 2034.” 93 Points, Wine Spectator
Pairing: Fried chicken, tempura prawns, and crispy arancini amplify the wine’s vibrant acidity and creamy texture while offering satisfying contrast to its elegance. For seafood lovers, grilled scallops bring out its minerality, and poached salmon with a citrus beurre blanc harmonizes with its subtle fruit and bright finish. Poultry dishes like roast duck or chicken with a cherry glaze complement its structure and slight dosage sweetness, while mushroom risotto matches its lees-aged depth with earthy, savory notes.
Its richness complements roasted turkey with herb stuffing or glazed ham for the holidays, while its brightness cuts through the decadence of creamy mashed potatoes or cheesy gratins. Try it with seared scallops or a smoked salmon platter for a luxurious pairing. The wine’s finesse pairs surprisingly well with a buttery almond tart or apple galette for festive holiday desserts.
Arancini
By Alexa Weibel
About: Since before 1750, the Gimonnet family has been tending to vineyards in the premier cru village of Cuis in the Côte des Blancs. They supplied the great Champagne houses with grapes up until the 1930s when grape sales fell during the prolonged recession of the period. Monsieur Pierre Gimonnet finally decided to take up the challenge of vinifying and commercializing his own harvest. It was a great struggle at first to establish a clientele who were not, at that time, accustomed to "Blanc de Blancs" Champagnes, not least from a new and small independent producer.
Pierre Gimonnet built this reputation from the ground up, based on his exceptional vineyard, his half a century of experience, and the uncompromising standards that he imposed upon himself. In the tradition of all great winemakers, Gimonnet sought to limit the production of grapes in search of quality from the beginning.
The estate is now run by Olivier and Didier, who share Pierre’s fanaticism. Over the years, the family added to their holdings in Cuis, acquiring other Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte de Blancs. Today, the estate’s 29.4 hectares are located in Cuis, Chouilly (including 3 hectares of ‘Montaigu’, planted in 1951), Cramant (since 1958, coming in large part from Olivier & Didier’s mother, née Larmandier), Oger (since 2005), and Vertus (since 2008).
