Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
Fine Champagne is indeed a wonderful thing for any occasion and it doesn’t get much better than the superb range of well-priced, award-winning bubbly produced by Champagne Forget-Brimont. We are bringing back the tried and true favourites – 1er Cru Brut; 1er Cru Extra Brut and 1er Cru Rosé Brut along with the 2004 1er Cru Vintage (Millésime) Champagne. And, for those very special, romantic occasions we are introducing the new, limited production 1er Cru Grand Rosé.
But I must point out that Champagne, even Champagne this good needn’t be reserved for just those special moments. It’s a great starter for any gathering (morning, noon or night), a terrific partner for a wide range of food and a fine confidante for those private moments. Madame Bollinger put it wonderfully, "I drink it when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes, I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it if I am; Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty."
Champagne Forget-Brimont
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 eighteen 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 celebrate victories and assuage defeats 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. They use only cuvées, the first and best juice that flows from the press. The taille, the coarser juice that comes later is sold to others. 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 $51.50 the bottle compared to only $47 at your venerable wine club).
We also have four other delicious Champagnes available along with the ever-popular ‘Champagne Sampler’. 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 juice. While drinking very well now, they will develop additional depth and character with an additional year or two in the cellar.
We will be taking your orders to the LCBO on Friday, August 24th.
Champagne Forget-Brimont 1er Cru Brut – 12.0% Alc./Vol. - $43/$258 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). 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. What a great way to start any party and also a wonderful accompaniment for white meats.
Here’s what Alison Napjus says about it in the December 31, 2012 edition of the ‘Wine Spectator’ – “Firm and focused by racy acidity, this is lightly chalky in texture, offering tightly knit flavors of ripe Gala apple, anise, black currant candy, fresh ginger and biscuit. Fine balance. Drink now through 2018. 16,500 cases made. $63 (wow, note the price!!) – 91/100”. Robert Parker rated it a 90!
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 in the bunch, let alone one with Grand Cru juice as well):
Ain’t it wonderful when you don’t have to support all those expensive advertising campaigns? And, if you’d like to try right now, you can find it at Le Sélect Bistro in Toronto. Latch on to this stellar Champagne value now.
Champagne Forget-Brimont 1er Cru Rosé Brut - 12.0% Alc./Vol. - $47/$282 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, 2012 edition of the ‘Wine Spectator’ – “This offers lovely balance, a finely detailed texture and delicate acidity that focuses subtle flavors of ripe plum, wild strawberries, and melon fruit. A hint of almond-tinged financier and mineral notes add complexity. Drink now through 2015. 5,000 cases made. $67 (note, our price is $20 less!!) - 91/100”
At least $25 less than anything comparable at the LCBO, it is a big hit with our Members. Click here to order.
The above prices include a modest handling fee.
Champagne Facts
These superb, well-priced Champagnes are just perfect for weddings and other special occasions or any time one feels like a treat. 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@arthursellers.com hbuisson@ofrance.ca www.arthursellers.com www.ofrance.ca
