”Why do I drink Champagne for breakfast? Doesn’t everyone?" (Noel Coward)

Fine Champagne is indeed a wonderful thing and it doesn’t get much better than the superb range of bubbly produced by Champagne Forget-Brimont. But, for some reason it seems to taste the best during the year-end holidays, so we are offering it now to make sure it arrives in time. Noel (the pun is just too dreadful) would be so pleased.

Michel Forget is the sixth generation Forget to follow the family’s wine-making tradition. Louis Forget created his vineyard at the beginning of the nineteenth century and Eugène established the family label in 1920 (with a production of only a hundred bottles).

The fifteen hectares of Forget-Brimont vineyards are located in the terroirs of the Montagne de Reims (Mailly-Champagne and Verzenay - Grands Crus Pinot Noir), Ludes and Rilly-la-Montagne (Premier Cru Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay). Michel Forget also buys Grand Cru Chardonnay for blending. Each year over 180,000 bottles leave the Forget cellars to help produce those wonderful things that happen for champagne fanciers around the world.

No question about it, the Forget-Brimont champagnes are all terrific. As well they should be. First, all the grapes come from premier and grand cru vineyards. Then, Michel Forget personally oversees absolutely every aspect of the creation of these meticulously crafted champagnes.

The Champagnes on Offer

We are thrilled to bring back the very popular Champagne Forget-Brimont 1er Cru Rosé Brut that has sold over twenty-thousand bottles at the SAQ in Québec (currently $49.25 the bottle compared to only $46 at your venerable wine club).

We also have three other delicious Champagnes available along with the ever-popular ‘Champagne Sampler’ that includes two bottles each of the three NV 1^er Crus. All of them contain 12.0 percent alcohol by volume and come in convenient six-bottle cases. The Premier Cru Champagnes contain more than twenty-five percent Grand Cru grapes. While drinking very well now, they will develop additional depth and character with an additional year or two in the cellar. We are able to offer them all at prices noticeably lower than last time due to the strengthening of our dollar to the Euro.

We will be taking your orders to the LCBO on Friday, August 24th.

Champagne Forget-Brimont 1er Cru Brut - $40/240 case of 6 Believe me, this is a great wine for a great price. The grape composition is 60% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay (all Premier and Grand Cru). It is a pale golden colour with a delicate nose of green apples, white flowers and hazelnuts. It has a very fresh, deep structure and is well-balanced with good length. It is a great way to start any party and is a wonderful accompaniment for white meats. Here’s what Alison Napjus says about it in the November 15, 2011 edition of the ‘Wine Spectator’ – “Light-bodied, with flavors of glazed apple, candied citrus, licorice and ground ginger. Balanced and juicy, with a moderate finish. A good aperitif. Drink now. 17,000 cases made. $63 – 90/100” And, it costs much less than you would pay for regular mass-marketed Champagne. Here are some examples of the prices of ordinary Champagne currently available at the LCBO (not a 1er Cru, let alone one with Grand Cru grapes in the lot): Charles Heidsieck Réserve Brut $54.95 Lanson Black Label Brut $49.85 Möet & Chandon Brut Imperial $60.65 Mumm Cordon Rouge $59.95 Veuve Clicquot Brut $67.75 Latch on to this stellar Champagne value now.

Champagne Forget-Brimont 1er Cru Extra Brut - $44/$264 case of 6 This is really excellent Apéritif Champagne in a delicate and refreshing style. Comprised of 60% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay, (all Premier and Grand Cru grapes) this crystal-clear Champagne possesses delightfully persistent tiny bubbles.  Aromas of white flowers, citrus, pears and honeysuckle carry through in the mouth. It is beautifully fresh and lively with a long finish and would be a special treat with lobster, oysters or caviar. This lovely fizz has earned a Five Star rating from Decanter magazine. Click here to order.

Champagne Forget-Brimont 1er Cru Rosé Brut - $46/276 case of 6 This is the Champagne for those most festive occasions. It is also an ideal apéritif. Its rose colour comes from adding red wine from Brouzy to the Forget-Brimont reserve cuvée. The grape composition is 60% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay (Premier and Grand Cru grapes only!). In the glass, the beautiful light orange, pink colour provides an ideal backdrop for its steady stream of tiny bubbles. Alison Napjus has this to say about it in the November 15, 2011 edition of the ‘Wine Spectator’ – “A fruit-driven tangy rosé, with pure flavors of dried cherry,  ripe blackberry and spiced plum, with more subtle notes of smoke, raisin bread and lemon zest. Fresh and lively, with a long minerally finish. Drink now through 2015. 6,000 cases made. $67 - 91/100” At least $25 cheaper than anything comparable at the LCBO, it is a big hit with our Members. Click here to order.

Champagne Forget-Brimont Mixed Sampler Case - $44/ $264 case of 6 Two bottles each of the above 1er Cru Champagnes. This is a great way to try his wonderful bubbly and to decide which ones you like best for your next order. It would also make a great gift for the Champagne fancier. Click here to order.

Champagne Forget-Brimont 2003 Millésime 1er Cru Brut - $52/$312 case of 6 The 2003 Champagne Forget-Brimont Millésime 1er Cru Brut is a true delight. The grape composition (all from the good 2003 harvest) is 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay (1er and Grand Cru grapes only!). In the glass, the beautiful luminous golden colour provides an ideal backdrop for its steady stream of tiny bubbles. It has a complex nose of stewed fruits, toasted bread, hazelnuts, almonds and vanilla. A wonderfully mature, round wine with a silky finish it would be perfect with chicken, foie gras or sweetbreads with morels. Order some of this spectacular wine now.

• The AOC Champagne is comprised of 321 communes covering 31,000 hectares; they are all classified on a scale from 80 to 100.
• Only 17 communes are rated 100; these are the Grand Cru.
• A further 46 communes are rated between 90 and 99; these are the Premier Cru.
• Champagne can be made from only three grape varieties – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
• More Pinot Noir is grown in the Champagne region than in Burgundy.

These superb, well-priced Champagnes are just perfect for weddings and other special occasions. Know anybody planning a big event or who is a Champagne fancier? If you do, please pass this note on to them.

Many thanks and cheers,

Jim & Hélène
jaswalker@arthurseller.com
hbuisson@ofrance.ca
www.arthursellers.com
www.ofrance.ca