Champagne Cru - the newest Champagne importer in NZ. Seven months in the making, finally in October 2021 the first shipment landed, just before Christmas. It's a busy time for Champagne drinking, a few of the range had quickly exhausted. Luckily new stock is due to arrive the first week of March.
They have selected three grower Champagne brands debut in NZ, they are Roger Manceaux, Charles Hubert and Vauversin.
Roger Manceaux - established in 1785, a family-owned independent grower based around Rilly la Montagne near Reims. 80 plot totalling 12 ha of vineyard, scattered around five classed growths: Mailly Grand Cru and first crus in Rilly la Montagne, Taissy, Villers-Allerand and Trois-Puits. Three varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, were used to produce approximately 90,000 bottles a year in their modern winery in the traditional way.
The range are all Premier Cru (1er Cur) include: Cuvée de Réserve Brut, Nature – Zéro Dosage, Rosé Brut, Grande Réserve Brut, Blanc de Blancs Brut and Millésime 2012.
Charles Hubert - The label was founded in 1984 by the current owner Charles Hubert's father; however, Charles's grandfather produced Champagne in the cellar long ago and made his vintages available to a small group of local clientele. They are based in Ambonnay, on the same street as Egly-Ouriet and Mumm Perrier-Jouet Vineyards and Research.
After finishing his oenology and viticulture training, young Charles took over from the family. Charles is the current President of the Supervisory Board of the Ambonnay Wine Cooperative and has served on multiple champagne committees since his take over in 2009.
They produce eight Champagnes, made in the purest Charles Hubert family tradition, born from a subtle blend of know-how, combining tradition and modernity, and their exceptional terroir. Four of the range are available in NZ, Tradition, Prestige, Blanc de Noir and Blanc de Blanc. The Prestige 2013 offers excellent value, rich in autolysis and layers.
Vauversin - The Vauversin family has been making wine in the Grand Cru village of Oger in the Côte des Blancs since 1640. Three hectares of vines only produce Chardonnay, with an annual production of 18,000 bottles. Laurent is the fourth generation produce under its own name, responsible for converting the vineyard to organic and certified in 2014, the first in Oger.
All champagnes are vinified with local yeasts from the wine and are not filtered. Little sulfur usage (less than 35mg / l) and the riddling occur by hand in the natural cellar.
Three wines available in NZ: Ordage, Original and Orpair
Read my reviews below and find yourself a new Champagne to try.
FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW
- Champagne Roger Manceaux Premier Cru Brut Cuvee de Reserve NV, France
- Champagne Roger Manceaux Premier Cru Brut Rosé NV, France
- Champagne Charles Hubert Grand Cru Brut Tradition NV, France
- Champagne Charles Hubert Grand Cru Brut Cuvée Prestige 2013, France
- Champagne Vauversin Grand Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Original NV, Oger
