Fine Champagne is a wonderful thing and it doesn’t get much better than the superb range of bubbly produced by Champagne Forget-Brimont.
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Eva Schubert, Michel Forget and Jim
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We first encountered a bottle of Champagne Forget-Brimont 1er Cru Brut a few years ago in St-Rémy-de-Provence when we were celebrating something special (like being in St-Rémy-de-Provence!). We loved it. But, was it the wine or because we were in Provence? To decide, we subsequently visited Michel Forget and his Business Manager, Eva Schubert at the winery and participated in an extensive tasting of their product line. You can see the evidence to the left. (What we won’t do for our members!). No question about it, the champagnes were all terrific.
As well they should be. First, all the grapes come from premier and grand cru (the top and the best of the top) vineyards. Then, Michel Forget personally oversees absolutely every aspect of the creation of these meticulously crafted champagnes.
Champagne Forget-Brimont is located in the hills of Ludes, not far from the storied city of Reims. 
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’ and Ludes and Rilly-la-Montagne ‘Premier Cru Pinot Noir (more pinot noir is grown in the Champagne region than in Burgundy), 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 create that perfect evening for champagne fanciers world-wide.
Terms used on champagne labels to indicate the sweetness (or dryness) are very subjective – one person’s sweet may be another’s dry. However, the following with the limits of the residual sugar in grams per litre when the dosage (the mixture of wine and, usually, cane sugar used to top up the bottle after removing the sediment produced by the second fermentation in the bottle) has been added is a guide:
Extra-Brut: very dry indeed, 0 - 6g/l.
Brut: very dry, 0 -15g/l.
Extra Dry: dry, 12 - 20g/l.
Sec: slightly sweet, 17 -35g/l.
Demi-Sec: sweet, 33 - 50g/l.
Doux: very sweet, more than 50g/l.
Source - ‘Champagne, Le Guide de l’Amateur’, Eric Glatre, 1999.
The Champagnes on Offer
We are not able to include the very popular Champagne Forget-Brimont 1er Cru Rosé Brut this time because there are still a few bottles available at a handful of Vintages outlets throughout Ontario. At only $44.40 per bottle, I recommend you hunt down these little treasures. Just ask you local LCBO store to transfer some in for you.
But we do have six other delicious wines available along with the ever-popular ‘Champagne Sampler’ that includes a bottle of each. All of them contain 12.0 percent alcohol by volume and come in convenient six-bottle cases. The four Premier Cru Champagnes contain more than twenty-five percent Grand Cru grapes while the other two contain only Grand Cru fruit. While drinking very well now, they will develop additional depth and character with an additional year or two in the cellar.
The prices below include a one dollar handling fee. We will be taking your orders to the LCBO on Thursday, November 26th.
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Champagne Forget-Brimont Demi-Sec 1er Cru - $47/$276 case of 6
 Made from 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay, this slightly sweet wine has a lovely golden colour and fine, persistent bubbles. It has an intense, rich nose of mandarins and apricots which carry through to the creamy, rich and generous finish. This is a versatile wine that will go delightfully with sweet-and-sour Oriental dishes, many desserts and, as a very special treat, with sautéed foie gras. Order some of this lovely wine now.
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Champagne Forget-Brimont 1er Cru Brut - $47/276 case of 6
 Almost everyone loves this delicious 1er Cru Brut Champagne. And, it costs much less than you would pay for regular Champagne. Here are some examples of regular Champagne currently available at the LCBO – not a 1er Cru in the lot:
| Charles Heidsieck Réserve Brut |
$59.95 |
| Lanson Black Label Brut |
$56.95 |
| Möet & Chandon Brut Imperial |
$60.55 |
| Mumm Cordon Rouge |
$59.95 |
| Veuve Cliquot Brut |
$64.95 |
Believe me, this is a great wine for a great price. The grape composition is 60% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay. 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 and has good length. It is a great way to start any party and is a wonderful accompaniment for white meats. Latch on to this most enjoyable wine now.
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Champagne Forget-Brimont 1er Cru Extra Brut - $50/$300 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 oysters or caviar. This lovely fizz has earned a Five Star rating from Decanter magazine. Click here to order.
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Champagne Forget-Brimont 2001 Millesime 1er Cru Brut - $60/$360 case of 6
 This is the Champagne for those most festive occasions. It is also an ideal apéritif. The grape composition (all from the 2001 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. At least $25 cheaper than anything comparable at the LCBO, it is a big hit with our Members. Order some of this spectacular wine now.
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Champagne Forget-Brimont Grand Cru Grand Réserve Blanc de Blancs - (Chardonnay) - $66/$396 case of 6
 The most delicate Chardonnays (Avize, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger) are blended in this cuvee. A lemon yellow colour, it has fine and persistent bubbles. The aromas are of honeysuckle and other white flowers, grapefruit and honey. It is beautifully balanced with a lingering taste of citrus fruit and warm brioche. It is drinking sublimely now and will develop even more complexity if cellared for a year or two. The winery says it is perfect as an apéritif or an accompaniment for crayfish and baked oysters. We had it with a fruit flan for desert – sheer ambrosia! Click here to order.
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Champagne Forget-Brimont Grand Cru Rosé - $64/$384 case of 6
 It doesn't get any more festive or refined! This Grand Cru Rosé is made from 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Chardonnay. As one would expect from such classy Champagne, the bubbles are tiny and explosive. It is a beautiful salmon pink colour with a nose of strawberries, apples and raspberries. In the mouth these flavours persist and are joined by notes of black and red currants and citrus fruits. The finish is fresh and elegant. There is a perfect harmony between the richness of the Pinot Noir and the finesse of the Chardonnay. The Grand Cru Rosé Champagne goes well with many, many things, but is best by itself at the start of a serious party. Order your festive potion now.
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Champagne Forget-Brimont Mixed Case - $56/ $336 case of 6
 Response to Michel Forget's mixed six-bottle case of Champagne was so positive in the past that he has decided to offer us another – one bottle each of the all the above wines. 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.
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Know any Champagne fanciers? 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
