By Jack Chapman on 16/10/2024
After a recent fishing trip in the Highlands, it became entirely clear to me that I had failed to manage my Champagne stocks. We were a party of 12 and consumed 24 bottles over the week – a figure which may initially seem hedonistic, but in real terms, was just three glasses a day (with the odd bottle to celebrate catching a big salmon, a stash which predictably went untouched!).
By Jack Chapman on 24/04/2024
A tiny part of the wine market as a whole (as explored in Charles Lea's blog here), grower Champagne has a disproportionate share of characterful, remarkable wines, thanks to the passionate vignerons behind the wines. We're shining a spotlight on our portfolio of grower champagnes this year, each month highlighting a different producer - this month: Nicolas Maillart.
By Charles Lea on 09/04/2024
In 2009 one group of like-minded 'grower-Champagne' producers ('Terre et Vins de Champagne') got together to put on a tasting which focused to a large degree on the vins clairs (the still wines) from the 2008 vintage, before they were bottled for the prise de mousse (the second fermentation in bottle which produces the bubbles).
By Caroline Tanner on 11/03/2024
A tiny part of the wine market as a whole (as explored in Charles Lea's blog here), grower Champagne has a disproportionate share of characterful, remarkable wines, thanks to the passionate vignerons behind the wines. We're shining a spotlight on our portfolio of grower champagnes this year, each month highlighting a different producer - this month: Marc Hébrart.
By Edward Richardson on 13/12/2018
Everyone likes to indulge in a special bottle or three over Christmas and the L&S team is no different. We've all squirrelled away something to savour and share with (appreciative!) friends and family. L&S Top Brass Charles Lea: I'm rather hoping to get a chance to raid the better end of my brother-in-law's cellar - the 2002 Vieux Château Certan was particularly memorable last time.
By Ed H-B on 10/04/2014
A wonderful way to start the week Recently Moet Hennessy arranged a seamlessly well organised and enjoyable trip to Reims (North East of Paris) to visit two of the large Champagne Houses – of which I will be concentrating on the second – Dom Ruinart.
By David Porter on 27/03/2014
This is serious stuff. As it hits the glass there is a huge mousse, you can sense the wine and the bubbles, bursting to get out of the bottle after nearly 12 years in the cellar. This soon subsides into a very gentle, beading bubble. Fresh, driven and powerfully mineral – tasting young, despite its fabulous age this will no doubt settle down in 6 months or so to be a wonderful, intense yet balanced Champagne.
By Charles Lea on 02/09/2013
Unlike some Champagne houses who rattle out the vintages one to the next – Pol have the strength of mind and the integrity to hang on to theirs until they are really sure that it is at the perfect point to release, allowing for early drinking for the impatient, but always with the class and depth needed for longer-term ageing.