Wine of the Week: Champagne Agrapart & Fils “Terroirs” Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs

…it’s no wonder that Agrapart & Fil is a benchmark in grower-producer Champagne! I tend to indulge in sparkling wines more often than most. Rather than reserving them for fairly rare annual celebrations, I enjoy them as a regular treat. However, I do make exceptions on occasion. This week, for example, I saved my Wine…

How I Learned To Expand Champagne’s Role At The Table #Winophiles

Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wines are Champagne More than any other month, December is a time to celebrate. Be it holiday gatherings with family and friends, year-end bonuses, or perhaps reflecting on the year that was. Sparkling wines, above all else, are the adult beverage of choice the wines for celebrations,…

Wine of the Day: Champagne Bruno Paillard Extra Brut Première Cuvée

And, the fact that their wines are in over 500 Michelin-starred restaurants speaks volumes to its quality and gastronomic IQ. The Champagne Bruno Paillard Extra Brut Première Cuvée is a classic “assemblage” a blending: of diverse crus, grape varieties and vintages. It’s composed of a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and 22% Pinot…

Champagne Drappier’s Blanc de Quatre Blancs; A Taste of Champagne’s White Heirloom Grape Varieties #Winophiles

This month the French Winophiles are exploring “Unexpected Pleasures In Champagne”. Our event is being hosted by Gwendolyn of Wine Predator . And what are the “unexpected pleasures of Champagne”? In my case, it’s a “two-fer”. I’m sharing a wine made from unexpected heirloom grapes from a producer in an unexpected region in Champagne. The Aube –…

Overcoming The Odds Twice – The Women of Champagne Duval-Leroy #Winophiles

March is Women’s History Month, and the French Winophiles (#Winophiles) are celebrating the Women of Champagne. Why Champagne?  Champagne has a rich heritage, and there were many women who are an inextricable part of its rich historical fabric.  Many of these women were widows, (“veuve” in French) thrust into leadership by tragic circumstances. You may be…

Wine of the Day: 2000 Henriot Champagne Cuvée des Enchanteleurs Brut

If you haven’t had an exceptional mature champagne like this, you’re missing a treat! The Cuvée des Enchanteleurs” was Champagne Henriot’s  Tête de cuvée, which in Champagne, refers to the top of the range of a specific house or grower’s wines.   I say “was” because 2000 was the last vintage for this prestige cuvée.  It has…

Grower Champagne From The Chalky Slopes Of Avize: Franck Bonville Prestige Brut Blanc de Blancs #Winophiles

Each month the French #Winophiles blogging group explores a particular French wine theme.  Sometimes it’s a notable region whose wines we’d like to explore in-depth; other times it’s more about exploring a grape variety vinified throughout the country.   This month we are exploring grower Champagne. If you’re not familiar with grower Champagne.  Have a look at…

The French #Winophiles Sip Grower Champagne Preview

Each month the French #Winophiles blogging group explores a particular French wine theme.  Sometimes it’s a notable region whose wines we’d like to explore in-depth; other times it’s more about exploring a grape variety vinified throughout the country.   This month we are exploring Grower Champagne. Our group of food and wine writers will reveal what they’ve…