A zero-dosage Champagne and an Extra Age Brut Cuvée are both new from Champagne Lanson UK.
Created in response to the growing consumer trend for low- and zero-dosage Champagnes in the UK, Besserat de Bellefon Cuvée des Moines Extra Brut is a non-vintage cuvée made from 45% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir.
Aged for a minimum of three years, Extra Brut has an intense, mineral nose, slight citrus aromas and notes of roasted nuts. As with all Besserat de Bellefon wines, Extra Brut does not undergo malolactic fermentation, ensuring the palate remains fresh, while the finish is persistent, complex and refined.
The Extra Age Brut is a recreation of the style of Champagnes produced by Lanson during the 19th century, with delicate fine bubbles, aromas of figs, pears and honey reminiscent of French p‰tisseries on the nose, and a well-rounded and complex body.
The blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards is aged for a minimum of five years and still retains the freshness associated with non-malolactic Champagnes.
Cellar master Jean Paul Gandon has crafted a wine that shows both complexity and freshness by using wines from the 1999, 2002 and 2003 vintages. The powerful Pinot Noir from the best parcels from Verzenay and Bouzy is balanced with elegant Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs: Chouilly, Avize, Oger and Vertus.
Lanson will also distribute Champagne Tsarine to the UK market. Tsarine is made by Champagne house Chanoine Frères and the cuvée was created in honour of the Russian tsars.
It is an equal blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from selected vineyards and tasting notes say "on the nose, lime flowers and lemon balm mingle with notes of bitter orange and quince, while the fresh, crisp palate shows hints of white peach and red berry fruits on the finish".
To buy it, call
Lanson UK
020 7499 0070