“There comes a time in every woman’s life when the only thing that helps is a glass of Champagne.”
                                                                                                     – Bette Davis

Dear Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club Member:

We’re back ... with a couple of exciting new developments. First, we are trying out a relatively new distribution program at the LCBO called ‘Products of the World’ along with its companion plan ‘LCBO.com’. Second, as you know, we have significantly reduced the number of wineries that we represent (the admin was killing us!). Several Members told us that they would really miss the wine from the producers that we were dropping. Good news! One of our wine club Members has bravely volunteered to take them on.

Products of the World/LCBO.com

Under the LCBO ‘Products of the World’ program, one or two of the retail stores in the vast LCBO network is/are designated to contain a boutique(s) specializing in the wines and other potables from specific countries or parts of the world. These products are not available at any of their other outlets. For example, the store at 5100 Erin Mills Parkway in Mississauga features products from Chile. Remarkably, there is yet to be a store focussed on the elixirs from France. But, we are told that one or two will be so appointed in the not too distant future (one is expected to be opened sometime during 2017 at Bayview and Sheppard and possibly another in Ottawa).

However, it is the ‘LCBO.com’ part of the program that has garnered our attention and we have decided to give it a try. We will supply the LCBO with selected wines and you or anyone else in Ontario can order and pay for them on-line via the ‘LCBO.com’ site. The major benefit to you is that the wines will already be here in the LCBO warehouse and will be delivered in a short amount of time. By paying a $12 delivery fee, they will ship it (regardless of quantity as long as the order is for $50 or more) by way Canada Post to any address in Ontario and it will be delivered within four business days. Or, you can avoid the shipping fee by having the wine sent to any LCBO store you designate. The store will call you once it is ready to be picked up. This process will take from one to two weeks (possibly up to four weeks in remote areas).

For the time being, you will have to continue ordering by the case (we will make sure to order only six-bottle cases of regular 750 ml bottles or the equivalent). If six bottles are too many, we suggest you share a case with others. The folks running the program at the LCBO indicate that eventually you might be able to order by the bottle. (To confuse the issue, when you browse the LCBO.com site, you will notice that some products can already be purchased by the bottle. The difference is that these items are also available in the LCBO’s regular stores or at Vintages.)

Another benefit is that you will no longer have to provide us with the LCBO Lab Waiver email.

The first wines that we have selected for the ‘LCBO.com’ program are the Champagne Forget-Brimont Brut 1er Cru and Rosé Brut 1er Cru. We have supplied the LCBO with 30 six-bottle cases of each. We will watch sales closely and as inventories are depleted will order more, the LCBO willing. Next will be the ever popular ‘La Soif’ Rosé from Les Lys.

Please get in touch with me if you have any questions, would like additional information or would like my help ordering your wine. The LCBO will assist with any post-ordering issues. Please contact them at ‘helloLCBO’.

Champagne Forget-Brimont

Frédéric Jorez, moi, Michel Forget and Eric George

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).

In 2000 Michel was joined by Frédéric Jorez who, as general manager, is in charge of all of Champagne Forget-Brimont’s operations.

Eric George recently replaced our old friend Eva Schubert (who moved on to a new opportunity) as Sales Manager.

We visited the winery last week and joyously sampled their latest bubbies (oh, the sacrifices we make on behalf of our Members). No question about it, the Forget-Brimont champagnes are 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 Champagne on Offer Via ‘LCBO.com’, we are thrilled to bring back the very popular Champagne Forget-Brimont Brut 1er Cru and Rosé Brut 1er Cru. Both contain 12.0 percent alcohol by volume and come in convenient six-bottle cases. These 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 a year or two in the cellar.

Brut 1er Cru – 12.0% Alc./Vol.   LCBO Product # 926617                 $47.70/$286.20 for 6 Believe me, this is a great wine at a great price. The grape composition is 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay (all Premier and Grand Cru). A pale golden colour with a delicate nose of fresh 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 said 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. $63 (wow, note the price – US$!!) – 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): Piper Heidsieck Brut $59.95 Möet & Chandon Brut Imperial $67.65 Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut $60.65 Veuve Clicquot Brut $72.85 Ain’t it wonderful when you don’t have to support all those expensive advertising campaigns? Click here to order.

Rosé Brut 1er Cru - 12.0% Alc./Vol.   LCBO Product # 926633         $52.80/$316.80 for 6 This is the Champagne for those most festive occasions. It is also an ideal apéritif. Its rose colour comes from adding a touch of red wine from Brouzy to the Forget-Brimont reserve cuvée. The grape composition is 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay (Premier and Grand Cru grapes only!). In the glass, the beautiful light salmon colour provides an ideal backdrop for its steady stream of tiny bubbles. Alison Napjus had 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 the subtle flavors of ripe plum, wild strawberries, and melon fruit. A hint of almond-tinged financier and mineral notes add complexity. $67 (note the price in US$!!) - 91/100” At least $25 less than anything comparable at the LCBO, it is a big hit with our Members. Click here to order.

Salvation Wines When Brian Jutzi, a very active Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club Member heard that we would be jettisoning several of our wineries, he bravely volunteered to take them on. He and his wife Cindy have launched ‘Salvation Wines’ and already have wines from Domaine de Tara and Domaine de Poulvarel on order and on their way to Ontario. Brian also intends to use the ‘LCBO.com’ ordering and distribution program. Here are a few words from Brian: “Salvation; The act of saving, preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin or loss." Brian and Cindy Jutzi Inspired by Peter Mayle’s book ‘A Year in Provence’, my wife Cindy and I travelled to France where we discovered many small family run wineries. It was during our visit to Domaine de Tara that we spied the Arthur Sellers Wine Club business cards on full display. This was fabulous news as we could enjoy the fine wines of southern France back home. We have been sharing wines of the region with family and friends ever since. Jim’s email “SADLY WINDING DOWN AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!” was truly sad news... it was one of the most distressing emails I have ever read. I decided to offer an alternative. Rather than Jim and Hélène throwing in the towel, I asked Jim if he would consider passing the baton instead. He agreed and thus ‘Salvation Wines’ was born. Our mission is to preserve the enjoyment of these wines that so many have come to love.” If you would like to find out more about Salvation Wines and get on their emailing list, please contact Brian directly at brian@salvationwines.ca.

These superb, well-priced Champagnes are just perfect for weddings and other special occasions or for 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 and Kate jaswalker@arthursellers.com www.arthursellers.com hbuisson@arthursellers.com kwalker@arthursellers.com

PS: Follow our vinous adventures on Gentleman’s Portion.