Champagne: Three Maisons not to be missed!
1. Jaquesson
Since 1798 the Maison Jaquesson bears the name of its founder. This ancient but small maison of Dizy, at the gates of Aÿ, under the wise and ambitious guidance of the Chiquet brothers, is undoubtedly one of the great realities of the Champagne region. The grapes come essentially from the vineyards owned by 28 hectares, of which 11 located in the Côte de Blancs, in Avize, an annual production of about 250,000 bottles.
It was recognized in 1810 by Napoleon with the gold medal for "la Beauté et la Richesse de ses Caves" in Reims, the highest award of the time for a commercial enterprise. Adolphe Jacquesson, second generation in the family business, not only improved the methods of growing vines, but invented the capsule for Champagne in 1844, registering the patent. Today the Jacquesson maison is led by the Chiquet brothers, a family belonging to a branch of that of Dizy, also a producer of Champagne.
2. Egly Ouriet
The Maison du Champagne Egly-Ouriet is located in Ambonnay and has been producing Champagne since 1940. It was founded by Charles Egly who bought 3 hectares of vineyards in Ambonnay, an area where the main vine is the great and unique Pinot Noir. Over the years l The company broadened its horizons by purchasing Verzenay, Vrigny and Bouzy lands reaching a total of 8 hectares. Today the owners Francis and his wife Madame Ouriet dedicate themselves with patience and great attention to their vineyards. The production is entirely dedicated to the 3 classic grape varieties of Champagne production: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier. The calcareous and chalky soils capture the heat of the sun during the day and release it at night, and also allow excellent drainage for the vines.
Egly-Ouriet is a Maison of great depth that does not fear comparison and that will amaze you with the purity of its wines. A case that is part of a unique collection thanks to which you will be able to compare great Champagnes from different vintages. They are vibrant, fine and sensual Grand Cru wines that will transpose and excite you.
3. Louis Roederer
The most famous of the Maison's wines was born in 1876 to satisfy the demanding taste of Tsar Alexander II and was called Cristal. The emperor asked Louis Roederer to reserve for him the best cuvée of the Maison every year, which he particularly appreciated. A flat-bottomed crystal bottle was specially created for the occasion. This Champagne will bear the name given to it by the material used to forge the bottle itself. The crystal in fact enhances its transparency and its splendid brightness. Crista is elaborate and produced only in the "Great Years", when the maturity of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the vines that make it up, is perfect.
Cristal is a balanced champagne, with an absolutely unique persistence in the mouth. The velvety texture reveals many aromas of ripe fruits, and a mineral power from which notes of white flowers and citrus fruits. A wine that ages beautifully and never fades.
