{"id":1178,"date":"2015-07-31T09:33:00","date_gmt":"2015-07-31T09:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=1178"},"modified":"2015-07-31T09:33:00","modified_gmt":"2015-07-31T09:33:00","slug":"champagne-moutard-brut-grande-cuvee-love-at-first-sip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=1178","title":{"rendered":"Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuv\u00e9e, Love at First Sip!"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Pinot Noir lovers, we expected to like this grower Champagne. We didn\u2019t anticipate wanting to buy a case after the first sip! Simply put, Moutard Grande Cuv\u00e9e<\/a> fits our taste, something Howie Rubin of Bauer Wine & Spirits<\/a> knows well.   <\/p>\n

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Through the years, many of our Sparkling Resolution wines have come from his suggestions. For August we asked him to select this month\u2019s sparkler and he came up with a new favorite that made us go back for more.<\/p>\n

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Our constant search for, and love of, grower Champagnes doesn\u2019t surprise Rubin who compares the increased interest in this category of winemakers to the locavore farm-to-table movement. \u201cPeople want to know where their food and libation come from,\u201d he explains, \u201cand consuming small grower champagne satisfies that curiosity.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Look at this way, \u201cWhich would you rather consume,\u201d says Rubin, \u201ca big, juicy, ripe tomato right off the farm, or one of those colorless and flavorless tomatoes that shows up in your salad … in January?\u201d<\/p>\n


Similarly, <\/strong>\u201cWhen deciding between a small grower champagne or a mass produced version of the same style of wine,\u201d Rubin says the choice is obvious. \u201cChampagnes that are bottled by growers will usually be from a specific village and will be their top choice of grapes, which obviously they won\u2019t sell to the big houses.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Moutard Grand Cuvee Brut Champagne pedigree includes 100% Pinot Noir grown in clay-limestone soils. The hand harvested grapes undergo a gentle pressing and are vinified in stainless steel tanks. Moutard proudly describes its production as a blend of several of the best vintages.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Tasting Notes:<\/strong>  <\/p>\n

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The winemaker points to a, \u201crefined, rich nose which evokes notes of butter, almond and brioche. Lively, elegant and balanced palate with good mouthfill.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Distributor Polaner Selections<\/a> touts, \u201cA rich and mineral-driven Blanc de Noirs at an exceptional value.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Wine Spectator<\/p>\n

Rating: 90<\/p>\n

\u201cBright and fresh, with a honey-laced finish.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Vinous<\/p>\n

Rating: 89<\/p>\n

\u201c… 100% Pinot Noir is laced with sweet tobacco, flowers, mint, dried herbs and red stone fruits.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Eric Asimov,<\/a> (NY Times wine critic)<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u201c \u2026 the Grande Cuve\u0301e from Moutard \u2026 showed its 100 percent pinot noir character in its rich, full-bodied texture and ripe fruit flavors.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Howie Rubin (Bauer Wines)<\/p>\n

\u201c… aromas of fresh baked bread and wild strawberries \u2026 bright apple and quince flavors.\u201d<\/p>\n

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We think what this wine doesn\u2019t give up on the nose, it makes up on the palate. Perhaps Howie Rubin summed it up best, \u201cGreat champagnes are characterized by a long, persistent finish, and that\u2019s where the Moutard shines. Compare it to one of the big names in champagne and you will see the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Here\u2019s to August! And, here\u2019s to Grower Champagnes!<\/p>\n

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We purchased our bottle of Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuv\u00e9e at Bauer Wine & Spirits<\/a> (price: $39.99). <\/p>\n

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More \u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Howie Rubin on: The Growing Interest in Grower Champagne<\/a><\/span> [PDF Full Text]<\/p>\n

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Here\u2019s How Our Sparkling Resolution Began<\/a><\/p>\n

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Our Sparkling Resolution Winner\u2019s List<\/a><\/p>\n

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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<\/a>\"\" from here to support this site!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n