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Tag: Champagne House

  • Elegant and Seductive, the Allure of Champagne Duval-LeRoy Rosé

    CHE_9936 - Version 22016-02-27-Duval-LeRoy-Rose-Prestige-premier-cru© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    While it might be the look of the bottle with its slender, decorative neck that first catches your eye, Champagne Duval-LeRoy Rosé is not just another pretty face. It’s what’s sealed within those delicate curves that make this premier cru wine such a special treat.

    CHE_9940 - Version 22016-02-27-Duval-LeRoy-Rose-Prestige-premier-cru© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    The Champagne House lovingly describes this Rosé’s salmon colored bubbles as “a string of fine pearls” escaping from the elegant bottle which owner Carol Duval-LeRoy created to reflect a certain femininity. Taking her lead, we chose to photograph the wine in a more feminine setting.

    CHE_9900 - Version 22016-02-27-Duval-LeRoy-Rose-Prestige-premier-cru© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    From its lovely aromas of “wild cherries, figs and even a hint of ginger,” to the balance of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and just 12 % ABV, this is a wine for us.

    We think it’s a party in a bottle! The tastes are more like a pastry with a bit of sugar on it but still having that lemon-curd tartness to it. There’s definitely a nice balance to this sparkler.

    CHE_9914 - Version 22016-02-27-Duval-LeRoy-Rose-Prestige-premier-cru© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    As this exquisite Champagne Rosé warmed in our glasses (from near 50 degrees to about 65 degrees) while we photographed the bottle, the depth of tastes and aromas continued to develop. This wine has been added to our Best Of list. Wow!

    IMG_9291 - Version 22016-02-27-Duval-LeRoy-Rose-Prestige-premier-cru© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    We purchased our bottle of Champagne Duval-Leroy Rosé premier cru more than a year ago at Brix Wine Shop in Boston for $51 as part of a mixed case. What a great way to celebrate the arrival of March. Cheers!

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

    The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

    The New Wine Lover's Companion

    The Wine Bible

     

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

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  • Here’s to February and Early Spring with Champagne Charles de Cazanove Stradivarius

    FullSizeRender - Version 32016-01-28Charles-de-cazanove-stradivarius-Champagne-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Here comes February! And, we’re reaching for another sparkling wine to welcome this often unpredictable weather month. Instead of relying on that pesky groundhog to predict an early spring and put us in a good mood, we’re placing our faith in a reliable Champagne house that has served us well.

    Having featured and enjoyed the bubbles of Charles de Cazanove twice in 2015, it only makes sense that their Champagne Stradivarius has real promise (and besides, we’re intrigued by the name).

    Here’s what people are saying ...

    The winemaker calls Charles de Cazanove Stradivarius 2000 …

    • A symphony of meaning and passion
    • Its unique flavour … provides an original harmony
    • Bouquet opens on ripe fruit, walnut, and almond aromas
    • A powerful, hearty finish

    Wine Enthusiast gave Stradivarius (91 points) describing it as a …

    • Ripe, beautifully integrated Champagne
    • Beginnings of nutty, toasty maturity
    • Full in the mouth with a delicate and creamy mousse
    • Not for aging … an impressive wine to drink now  

    FullSizeRender - Version 22016-01-28Charles-de-cazanove-stradivarius-Champagne-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Bauer Wine & Spirits, where we purchased our bottle, had the most intriguing tasting notes …
    • Yellow-gold
    • Deep, toasty aromas of orange marmalade, gingerbread, brown butter
    • A hint of floral honey and a livelier touch of lemon curd
    • Supple in texture and gently smoky
    • Broad candied citrus, poached pear flavors, late notes of buttered toast & spices
    • Fully mature Champagne finishes with strong thrust, clinging honey, pear notes & very good persistence

    Talk about a morale booster, how could we pass up an opportunity like this? Our notes to follow.

    Oh, and, maybe we’ll slip some to Punxsutawney Phil just to loosen the guy up, a little. Cheers!

    Imgp0977-2

    Champagne Charles de Cazanove Stradivarius 2000

    70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 12% ABV
    $49.99 @ Bauer Wine & Spirits, 330 Newbury St., Boston

    FullSizeRender

    UPDATE (02.01.16) –

    We toasted February with the Stradivarius, then chose the descriptions from above that we think fit best.

    • Definitely a unique flavor
    • Almond and brown butter aromas
    • Nutty, toasty maturity
    • Full in the mouth
    • A hint of floral honey, gently smoky
    • Broad candied citrus, pear notes
    • Powerful, hearty finish

    While this Champagne is not the lighter, everyday style we’re accustomed to, it is a nice change on the right occasion. And with certain foods, like the French onion soup we enjoyed with it tonight, it was outstanding.  

    UPDATE (02.02.16) – On a personal note, Thanks Phil.

     

    Related Posts:

    Charles de Cazanove Rosé Champagne – One Happy Surprise!

    Join Us as We Toast February 2015 with Charles de Cazanove Champagne

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post :  Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wie Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

    The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

    The New Wine Lover's Companion

    The Wine Bible

     

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

    Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino, bottle display photo courtesy of Charles de Cazanove

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  • Toasting August with Billecart-Salmon: A Tale of Two Bruts

    DSC_86442012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We can’t think of a better way to ring-in a new month than by toasting with two glasses of bubbly from one of our favorite Champagne houses, Billecart-Salmon! No, wait. Actually, that would be four glasses and two bottles.

    In this post, we explore two Champagne styles: ours and that of some of our wine-loving friends. The right wine is the wine you like! Besides, anytime you’re able to justify opening multiple bottles of these French jewels, the happier the occasion becomes.

    DSC_8714 - Version 22012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    However, in the interest of full disclosure, we actually opened our Champagne Billecart-Salmon Extra-Brut at the beach, last summer. Extra Brut is the driest designation of Champagne styles containing less than 0.6% sugar per liter. While this Billecart-Salmon contains the big three: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, they point out that, “No sugar has been added to the dosage.”

    Billecart-Salmon says, “A Champagne full of brightness and purity … harmonious minerality … balanced finish” Download More about Billecart-Salmon Etra Brut.

    We say, “tight … a bit stern … but, focused” 

    DSC_6776 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    As for the Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve, we lifted our glasses to welcome August 2013, took our first sips, and couldn’t stop grinning!

    We say, “round … mellow … friendly … magical …  drink slowly through the temperatures” (allow to warm in your glass)

    Billecart-Salmon says, “harmony … balance … persistent and abounding mousse … freshness … rich bouquet  Download More about Billecart-Salomn BRUT RESERVE.

    DSC_6791 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-reserve-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We began our love affair with Billecart-Salmon many years ago by falling for their Brut Rosé. Since then, we’ve come to appreciate the depth of this outstanding Champagne house and continue to try their many other offerings.

    Whatever your taste in sparkling wine, we hope you’ll join us in a toast to month number eight, à votre santé!   

    Here’s More About

    Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Toasting August with Billecart-Salmon: A Tale of Two Bruts

    DSC_86442012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We can’t think of a better way to ring-in a new month than by toasting with two glasses of bubbly from one of our favorite Champagne houses, Billecart-Salmon! No, wait. Actually, that would be four glasses and two bottles.

    In this post, we explore two Champagne styles: ours and that of some of our wine-loving friends. The right wine is the wine you like! Besides, anytime you’re able to justify opening multiple bottles of these French jewels, the happier the occasion becomes.

    DSC_8714 - Version 22012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    However, in the interest of full disclosure, we actually opened our Champagne Billecart-Salmon Extra-Brut at the beach, last summer. Extra Brut is the driest designation of Champagne styles containing less than 0.6% sugar per liter. While this Billecart-Salmon contains the big three: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, they point out that, “No sugar has been added to the dosage.”

    Billecart-Salmon says, “A Champagne full of brightness and purity … harmonious minerality … balanced finish” Download More about Billecart-Salmon Etra Brut.

    We say, “tight … a bit stern … but, focused” 

    DSC_6776 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    As for the Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve, we lifted our glasses to welcome August 2013, took our first sips, and couldn’t stop grinning!

    We say, “round … mellow … friendly … magical …  drink slowly through the temperatures” (allow to warm in your glass)

    Billecart-Salmon says, “harmony … balance … persistent and abounding mousse … freshness … rich bouquet  Download More about Billecart-Salomn BRUT RESERVE.

    DSC_6791 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-reserve-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We began our love affair with Billecart-Salmon many years ago by falling for their Brut Rosé. Since then, we’ve come to appreciate the depth of this outstanding Champagne house and continue to try their many other offerings.

    Whatever your taste in sparkling wine, we hope you’ll join us in a toast to month number eight, à votre santé!   

    Here’s More About

    Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Toasting August with Billecart-Salmon: A Tale of Two Bruts

    DSC_86442012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We can’t think of a better way to ring-in a new month than by toasting with two glasses of bubbly from one of our favorite Champagne houses, Billecart-Salmon! No, wait. Actually, that would be four glasses and two bottles.

    In this post, we explore two Champagne styles: ours and that of some of our wine-loving friends. The right wine is the wine you like! Besides, anytime you’re able to justify opening multiple bottles of these French jewels, the happier the occasion becomes.

    DSC_8714 - Version 22012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    However, in the interest of full disclosure, we actually opened our Champagne Billecart-Salmon Extra-Brut at the beach, last summer. Extra Brut is the driest designation of Champagne styles containing less than 0.6% sugar per liter. While this Billecart-Salmon contains the big three: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, they point out that, “No sugar has been added to the dosage.”

    Billecart-Salmon says, “A Champagne full of brightness and purity … harmonious minerality … balanced finish” Download More about Billecart-Salmon Etra Brut.

    We say, “tight … a bit stern … but, focused” 

    DSC_6776 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    As for the Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve, we lifted our glasses to welcome August 2013, took our first sips, and couldn’t stop grinning!

    We say, “round … mellow … friendly … magical …  drink slowly through the temperatures” (allow to warm in your glass)

    Billecart-Salmon says, “harmony … balance … persistent and abounding mousse … freshness … rich bouquet  Download More about Billecart-Salomn BRUT RESERVE.

    DSC_6791 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-reserve-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We began our love affair with Billecart-Salmon many years ago by falling for their Brut Rosé. Since then, we’ve come to appreciate the depth of this outstanding Champagne house and continue to try their many other offerings.

    Whatever your taste in sparkling wine, we hope you’ll join us in a toast to month number eight, à votre santé!   

    Here’s More About

    Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino