Wine Notes. Crémant du Jura Brut, Domaine de Montbourgeau NV. These wine notes were created on 24-Jul-2018.

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1 page 1 Crémant du Jura Brut, Domaine de Montbourgeau NV From the Autoroute des Alpes, which we travel on at least a couple of times a year, you can see the beautiful vineyards of the Jura, better known for their unique barrel-aged whites. This is where our truffle-snuffling sparklingwine buyer, Marcel Orford-Williams, unearthed this delightful bone-dry sparkler in the village of L Etoile, and it became an immediate hit. Made from young vines by Nicole Deriaux at her family domaine and by the Champagne method, it is a chardonnay bottled without dosage but rounded and deliciously easy to drink. Product Code SG1651 Dominant Grape Chardonnay Product Type Sparkling Wine Drink Dates Within two years of purchase Origin France Alcohol Level 12.0% Style 1 (of 9): Bone dry Closure type Champagne cork Vintage Price / Bottle Producer : Domaine de Montbourgeau - See next page.

2 page 2 Producer : Domaine de Montbourgeau From the Autoroute des Alpes in eastern France, on which our buyer Marcel Orford-Williams travels at least a couple of times a year, you can see the beautiful vineyards of the Jura. In the south-west of this region is L Etoile, a village whose name means star, thanks either to the ancient starfish fossils found in the soil here or to the five hills surrounding it in a star shape. Nicole Deriaux is the third generation of her family to produce wines here since her grandfather first planted vineyards at this domaine in 1920 she began assisting her father Jean in 1986, and her own sons are eager to be involved. She manages the estate s 9 hectares of vines with great respect for the soil. Most of the plantings are chardonnay, with just under two hectares of savagnin, but there are also small amounts of trousseau (also known as bastardo) and poulsard, two local Jura varieties. All grapes are hand harvested before being transported to the cellars under the family home for a very traditional vinification process. Fermentation occurs in stainless-steel tanks before the wines are aged in barrels of various sizes and ages. The savagnin we buy is aged for four years, whereas the Vin Jaune also made from savagnin must spend seven years in barrels before bottling. Nicole s Crémant de Jura is made in small quantities, using the Champagne method, from her young chardonnay vines. It undergoes both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, and spends at least 18 months ageing on its lees, before being bottled without dosage to ensure a completely dry style.

3 page 3 Carre-Perseval Non Vintage Brut Keenly priced, refreshing brut Champagne, which is ideal for receptions. Product Code CH1901 Dominant Grape Pinot Noir Meunier Chardonnay Product Type Champagne Drink Dates Within two years of purchase Origin Celebration Champagne Alcohol Level 12.5% Style 2 (of 9): Dry Closure type Champagne cork Vintage NV Price No longer for sale Pelorus, Cloudy Bay Brut, 2007 Gorgeous Kiwi bubbly made using Cloudy Bay fruit and kept in bottle until ready. Product Code SG1611 Dominant Grape Pinot Noir Meunier Chardonnay Product Type Sparkling Wine Drink Dates 2012 to 2015 Origin New Zealand Alcohol Level 12.5% Style 2 (of 9): Dry Closure type Champagne cork Vintage 2007 Price No longer for sale Champagne Jules Camuset Brut NV Benefiting from the expertise of the great Boizel house, this delicious blend of 55% pinot meunier, 30% pinot noir and 15% chardonnay is a perennial hit with members and the perfect fizz for all kinds of celebrations. Light, dry, moreish and refreshing. Product Code CH771 Dominant Grape Pinot Noir Meunier Chardonnay Product Type Champagne Drink Dates Within one year of purchase Origin Champagne Alcohol Level 12.0% Style 1 (of 9): Bone dry Closure type Champagne cork Vintage Price / Bottle Producer : Champagne Boizel - See next page.

4 page 4 Producer : Champagne Boizel Established in Epernay in 1834, the Champagne house of Boizel is run by Evelyne Boizel, who represents the fifth generation. Perhaps better known as a Champagne brand in France, the non-vintage cuvée is a hidden gem on The Society s List. Delicate, light and balanced is the way we often describe the house style. The full and fruity rosé is also worth looking out for, the secret being the addition of red wine from very ripe pinot noir to the final blend.

5 page 5 Ridgeview Bloomsbury 2010 A fine Sussex sparkler from the classic Champagne mix of chardonnay together with pinot noir and pinot meunier, which both add depth and character. Has a lightness and elegance that make this the perfect aperitif. Product Code SG1601 Dominant Grape Chardonnay Product Type Sparkling Wine Drink Dates 2012 to 2016 Origin England Alcohol Level 12.0% Style 2 (of 9): Dry Closure type Champagne cork Vintage 2010 Price No longer for sale Producer : Ridgeview Wine Estate The South Downs of Sussex are found on the same geological formation (limestone on top of a sandstone bed) that continues through the east of France down to Champagne. It is no surprise therefore that the soils at The Ridgeview Estate are conducive to the production of grapes needed for premium quality sparkling wine. Just seven miles from the sea the winters here are mild too with the hills creating a rain shadow to keep the vineyards comparatively dry and sheltered. Founded in 1994 by the late and sadly missed Mike Roberts with his wife Christine, the estate produces fine bubbly from the three Champagne grapes, chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, according to the méthode traditionnelle of secondary fermentation in bottle, and a period of maturation before disgorging. The Merret cuvées are named in honour of Christopher Merret, a 17 th century doctor, scientist and glassmaker who in over thirty years before Dom Pérignon - was the first to set down on paper the process of dosing wine with sugar provoke a secondary fermentation.

6 page 6 Ridgeview Fitzrovia Rose 2010 Light salmon-pink in colour. Chardonnay dominates this English blend bringing freshness and finesse, whilst pinots noir and meunier add summer fruits. Product Code SG1621 Dominant Grape Chardonnay Product Type Sparkling Wine Drink Dates 2012 to 2014 Origin England Alcohol Level 12.0% Style 2 (of 9): Dry Closure type Champagne cork Vintage 2010 Price No longer for sale Producer : Ridgeview Wine Estate The South Downs of Sussex are found on the same geological formation (limestone on top of a sandstone bed) that continues through the east of France down to Champagne. It is no surprise therefore that the soils at The Ridgeview Estate are conducive to the production of grapes needed for premium quality sparkling wine. Just seven miles from the sea the winters here are mild too with the hills creating a rain shadow to keep the vineyards comparatively dry and sheltered. Founded in 1994 by the late and sadly missed Mike Roberts with his wife Christine, the estate produces fine bubbly from the three Champagne grapes, chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, according to the méthode traditionnelle of secondary fermentation in bottle, and a period of maturation before disgorging. The Merret cuvées are named in honour of Christopher Merret, a 17 th century doctor, scientist and glassmaker who in over thirty years before Dom Pérignon - was the first to set down on paper the process of dosing wine with sugar provoke a secondary fermentation.

7 page 7 Marguet Blanc de Noirs Brut NV Benoît Marguet is a new kid on the block in Champagne and handles with great dexterity his family s vines, all of which are farmed with meticulous care and respect for the environment. The vineyard is scattered, but the heart is on the so-called côte des noirs which includes the superb, perfectly sited grand-cru village of Ambonnay. This cuvée is made from black grapes only, 70% pinot noir and 30% pinot meunier. The style is full, rich and beautifully rounded. A lovely Champagne that can be drunk with ease, with or without food. Product Code CH1951 Dominant Grape Pinot Noir Product Type Champagne Drink Dates Within two years of purchase Origin Grower Champagne Alcohol Level 12.5% Style 2 (of 9): Dry Closure type Champagne cork Vintage NV Price No longer for sale Producer : Marguet Père et Fils A union of two Champagne houses, Champagne Marguet was formed around 1875, Champagne Bonnerave Frères was founded in In 2005 the Marguet-Bonnerave house became Champagne Marguet Père et Fils. Fifth generation Benoît Marguet handles his family s vines with great dexterity, some of which are farmed biodynamically. The vineyards are scattered but the grapes come primarily from premier and grand cru villages, namely Ambonnay, Bouzy and Mailly on the Côte des Noirs. In addition to using grapes from his own vineyards, Benoît also buys in grapes from like-minded producers from other highly esteemed villages such as Verzy, Mareuil sur Ay, Cumières and Rilly la Montagne. The addition of grapes from these different crus brings extra complexity to the assemblage. Farmed organically and where possible biodynamically, the base wines from each cru are vinified separately in tanks and small oak barrels. In keeping with the tenets of biodynamism, work in the vineyard and winery is carried out according to the lunar cycle wherever possible.

8 page 8 Champagne Alexandre Bonnet Grande Reserve Alexandre Bonnet, from the pretty vineyards of the Aube just 40 miles from Chablis, make a perfect party Champagne. Dry but rounded in that ripe pinot style typical of the Aube, this slips down well and can be drunk with pleasure on its own. Bonnet adds a little Côte des Blancs chardonnay to give a touch of refinement. Lovely, carefree bubbly at a bargain price. Product Code CH1081 Dominant Grape Pinot Noir Product Type Champagne Drink Dates Within two years of purchase Origin Celebration Champagne Alcohol Level 12.0% Style 1 (of 9): Bone dry Closure type Champagne cork Vintage NV Price No longer for sale Pierre Paillard Grand Cru Brut NV Grand cru Champagne from the village of Bouzy and from a family with 200 years' experience cultivating the chalk of the Montagne de Reims. A 60:40 pinot-chardonnay blend that is full-flavoured, distinguished and a pleasure to drink. Product Code CH2631 Dominant Grape Pinot Noir Product Type Champagne Drink Dates Within two years of purchase Origin Grower Champagne Alcohol Level 12.5% Style 1 (of 9): Bone dry Closure type Champagne cork Vintage NV Price No longer for sale Producer : Pierre Paillard - See next page.

9 page 9 Producer : Pierre Paillard The Paillards are an old Champagne family associated with the village of Bouzy. For many generations the Paillards were shepherds, innkeepers or even traders and teachers, when one Pierre Paillard bought a patch of vineyard in Bouzy. That was in 1768 and, eight generations later, the family is still there, crafting generously flavoured Champagnes, all from their own grapes and all from the village of Bouzy, now rated as grand cru for the outstanding quality of both its pinot noir and chardonnay grapes. Present in the business are Benoit Paillard with his sons Antoine and Quentin. The family owns 11 hectares of vineyard, 65% planted to pinot noir and 35% to chardonnay. Recently the focus of their work has been in the vineyards where they have concentrated on soil health by using no chemicals and following organic principles (though they choose not to be certified). Antoine claims that the complexity of his Champagnes comes from the quality of their grapes rather than the winemaking (which follows traditional techniques).

10 page 10 The Society's Champagne Brut Non Vintage This comes from Alfred Gratien and is just as Champagne should be. The blend is made up of all three Champagne grape varieties (chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier) from excellent sources. Fermentation takes place in barrel rather than stainless steel, which gives the wine more depth. The malolactic fermentation is suppressed so the wine retains a high level of acidity and, therefore, an ability to age very well. The style of Gratien, dry, full-flavoured, very long and well rounded, is quite distinctive. Enjoy on its own or with food. Product Code CH331 Dominant Grape Pinot Noir Meunier Chardonnay Product Type Champagne Drink Dates Within three years of purchase Origin Champagne Alcohol Level 12.5% Style 1 (of 9): Bone dry Closure type Champagne cork Vintage Price / Bottle Producer : Champagne Alfred Gratien - See next page.

11 page 11 Producer : Champagne Alfred Gratien The Wine Society first started working with Gratien in 1906, making it one of our oldest suppliers. To mark the 100th anniversary of our business relations in 2006 we launched a centenary cuvée which was a resounding success with members. Based in the heart of Epernay, Gratien has deservedly earned its place as a top Champagne house over the years and its approach is very much quality-driven. Indeed its owner, Alfred Gratien used to compare his Champagne to haute couture. For much of this time, the company was family-owned but then was sold to the German sparkling wine specialist, Henkell & Söhnlein, who immediately began to use their extensive wealth to good effect, making essential repairs, buying vineyards and allowing for modest expansion, without in any way challenging Gratien s devotion to the old methods of making great Champagne. These include fermentation in small oak casks, which are bought second-hand from the Chablisienne cooperative in Chablis. Each cru is vinified apart and such is Gratien s reputation that they are able to buy grapes from top producers and from choice grand and premier cru villages. Though ownership has changed, the cellar master has not: indeed, this all-important job has been in the same family for four generations. Nicolas Jaeger, the present cellar master is very much in charge, though his father is still influential in perpetuating relations with grape suppliers. The Jaeger family comes from the small village of Reuil in the Marne Valley where pinot meunier is the majority grape and has an important role to play here. The meunier works well with barrel fermentation but only if the malolactic fermentation the conversion of sharp, malic acidity to softer, lactic acidity after the alcoholic fermentation is suppressed. Gratien wines do not undergo the malo and because of that, they need longer cellaring to enable acidity levels to settle. Non-vintage bottlings, for example, are not released until 3 years after the end of the final stage of production. Nicolas s mother comes from Le Mesnil where some of the best chardonnay is grown so, not surprisingly, chardonnay is also an important element especially in the long-lived vintage wines. For such a small house, Gratien produces numerous cuvees, including non-vintage, demi-sec and non-vintage rosé, examples of each of which are sold under The Society s label. The prestige Cuvée Paradis is a non-vintage blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, drawn from the best vats of grand cru wines. The vintage wines come exclusively from grand cru vineyards and, with their immense complexity and capacity for ageing, are the flagship of the house.

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