Christian Etienne, Champagne Brut 'Cuvee Tradition' (NV)

REGION: Cote Des Bars, Champagne

COUNTRY: France

GRAPE(S): 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay

BODY: Medium

ABV: 12%

TASTING NOTES: Notes of crisp golden apple, citrus zest, and baked pastries with a chalky minerality.

WINEMAKING NOTES: Estate grown and bottled. A mixture of 2012-2013 harvests, both vinified in barrels separately. All grapes are hand-harvested from vines aged around 25 years old and planted on superficial clay-limestone soils. The alcoholic fermentations are made in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats and after the malolactic fermentation both wines are matured one year in casks aged over 3 years. Then the secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle with more than three years of aging before being disgorged three months prior to sale with a dosage of 8.5 grams. Organic.

PAIRS WELL WITH: Butternut squash soup, Croissant-crust quiche, Beet and Goat cheese salad, Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert,