Vilmart & Cie
Champagne 1er Cru Brut Grande Réserve
| Denomination | AOC Champagne Premier Crus Brut |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% by volume |
| Area | Champagne region (France) |
| Grape varieties | 70% Pinot Nero, 30% Chardonnay |
| Aging | 10 months in large oak barrels |
- Premier Cru Cuvée: 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from Rilly-la-Montagne
- Fine perlage: persistent and delicate mousse, fine and continuous bubbles
- Vinification: traditional method, no malolactic fermentation, 10 months in large barrels
- Aromatic profile: pear and cherry, biscuit and bread, mineral and spicy notes
- Serving/pairings: 6-8°C with shellfish, raw seafood and white meats
Description
What kind of wine it is
Vilmart & Cie Champagne 1er Cru Brut Grande Reserve is a refined sparkling wine made using the Traditional Method, crafted from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In the glass, it reveals a golden straw-yellow colour and a fine, persistent perlage. On the nose, aromas of ripe wheat, pear and cherry emerge, enriched by notes of white pepper, iris and hints of melted butter. This Brut Champagne offers a harmonious palate, blending the purity of fruit with enveloping notes of biscuit and bread. Served at the ideal temperature of 6-8°C, it is the perfect accompaniment for shellfish, seafood crudités, quenelles and mature cheeses.
Where it comes from
This sparkling wine originates from Rilly-la-Montagne, a renowned Premier Cru village located in the heart of Champagne. Production is entrusted to Vilmart & Cie, a family-run estate operating with rigour and independence for several generations. The influence of the terroir ensures the wine has a profound aromatic definition, supporting a structure capable of evolving elegantly over time. The historic cellars of the estate preserve a clear territorial identity, which in the glass is expressed through pronounced gustatory tension and a clear balance between fruity, mineral and evolved notes.
How it is produced
Work in the vineyard culminates in a meticulous manual harvest. To preserve freshness and the precision of the acidic profile, the musts do not undergo malolactic fermentation. The base wine is then aged for ten months in large oak barrels, a stage that imparts subtle spicy nuances and toasted notes without altering the harmony of the raw material. The subsequent period on the lees, essential for the creation of this Traditional Method wine, shapes a delicate mousse and enriches the flavour profile with complex notes, offering a long, vibrant finish with distinct mineral hints.
History and Curiosities
Vilmart & Cie, a historic family-run estate in Rilly-la-Montagne, combines precision and independence in the creation of oenological excellence. The Champagne Premier Cru Brut, the result of hand harvesting, is produced using the Traditional Method and aged in large oak barrels for ten months. The absence of malolactic fermentation allows the intense freshness of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to be preserved. Widely acclaimed by critics, this cuvée boasts a refined elegance on the palate, making it ideal for accompanying raw fish and mature cheeses.
Awards
-
92/100
Decanter is a wine and lifestyle magazine, published monthly in around 90 countries. The magazine includes industry news, classic guides and advice on wine and spirits.
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92/100
James Suckling is an influential American wine critic and journalist who worked at Wine Spectator for 30 years. He left the magazine in 2010 to start his own website and guidebook (JamesSuckling.com). He specialises in Italian and Bordeaux wines.
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90/100
Vinous is the online guide from Antonio Galloni, one of the world's leading wine connoisseurs.
-
93/100
Wine spectator is the most influential wine guide on the internet.
Tasting notes
Perlage
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
06 - 08 °C
Longevity:
05 - 10 years
- Start up year: 1890
In 1890, Désiré Vilmart founded the house in the heart of the village of Rilly-la-Montagne, at the foot of the Montagne de Reims. He was succeeded by his son Charles, then his grandson Renan. They were both instrumental in furthering the house’s growth. Independence and boldness were already characteristic of the house’s outlook.
During the Second World War, Renan witnessed the destruction of the estate. With courage and determination, he applied himself to reconstructing buildings and facilities over cellars that had been spared; Vilmart still occupies these premises, which have been developed and added to by each successive generation. Read more
| Name | Vilmart & Cie Champagne 1er Cru Brut Grande Reserve |
|---|---|
| Type | White classic method sparkling wine brut |
| Denomination | Champagne AOC |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 70% Pinot Nero, 30% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne region |
| Vendor | Vilmart & Cie |
| Story | History and Curiosities Vilmart & Cie, a historic family-run estate in Rilly-la-Montagne, combines precision and independence in the creation of oenological excellence. The Champagne Premier Cru Brut, the result of hand harvesting, is produced using the Traditional Method and aged in large oak barrels for ten months. The absence of malolactic fermentation allows the intense freshness of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to be preserved. Widely acclaimed by critics, this cuvée boasts a refined elegance on the palate, making it ideal for accompanying raw fish and mature cheeses. |
| Origin | Rilly-la-Montagne, Champagne (France) |
| Production technique | Metodo classico |
| Wine making | Malolactic fermentation: not carried out. |
| Aging | 10 months in large oak barrels |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |