Comte de Lantage 2006 Tasting Notes

Champagne Cuvée de Réserve

Our Cuvée de Réserve from Alain Mandois at Comte de Lantage has garnered considerable critical acclaim over the last few years, and regularly outperforms more expensive champagnes in tastings.  It is a blend of the three major champagne varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier - but the dominant variety is the burgundian Chardonnay which brings the degree of elegance and finesse only found in the finest champagnes.

The complexity of flavours is in part due to the mix of grapes, but it is also due to the extended maturation period when the champagne is stored on its lees.  For non-vintage champagne the minimum is 18 months, but Alain leaves his for three years, and it is during this time of extended lees contact that the champagne takes on complex flavours from the dead yeast cells - a process known as autolysis.

In the UK we tend to drink champagne almost exclusively on its own, as an apéritif or for a celebration.  In France however it is often drunk with the meal - and really at this price you can afford to spoil yourself once in a while.  Along with its array of flavours, champagne normally has quite high acidity and this also makes it good with rich foods.  Try it with smoked salmon, poultry or seafood - it also goes very well with Chinese cuisine.