Champagne

The difference between a still and a sparkling wine is of course the bubbles and for our selection we have chosen the Drappier label. It was Charles de Gaulle’s favourite Champagne which comes from the most dynamic independent producer in the Aube. Drappier also vies with Serge Mathieu as this southerly districts very best producer. The company also has cellars in Reims, but the production is still heavily influenced by Aube fruit. Some cuvees are pure Aube – which makes a nonsense of some grande marque snobs that the Aube should even be part of the Champagne appellation. One pure Aube cuvée is in fact Drappier’s best Champagne: Grand Sendrée. This is not just pure Aube, or even a mono-cru, but one of Champagne’s rare single-vineyard wines. It is made from 70 year old vines and derives its name from a corruption cendrée, the vineyard having been woodland until it was burned down in 1838, infusing the soil with ash, which should give Madeira aficionados a sense of déjà vu.