Champagne Andre Chemin Little Dark Mountain

Formerly labeled "Premier Cru Tradition Brut" Enjoy it now, or cellar for a few more years. No need to decant, serve slightly chilled. André Chemin winery produces a stellar range of sparkling wine in the world’s most famous wine region, Champagne. Founded in 1948 by André Chemin, this family winery is now in the hands of Eva and Sébastian, a third-generation wine-making couple. During their tenure, the duo have transformed the winery into a haven of organic farming, producing utterly pure, terroir-driven wines. The winery is near the village of Sacy, surrounded by the mountainous terroir of Reims - this is one of Champagne’s few Premier Crus. The terroir is perfectly suited for cultivating the temperamental Pinot Noir grape. Those at André Chemin are masters of this delicate fruit, using it to produce a beautiful range of “Blanc des noirs” Champagne wines. For this sparkling Brut, purple Pinot Noir grapes are distilled into a concentrated straw-yellow wine. "Tradition" is packed with scents of baked apple, toasty brioche, nuts and white chocolate. It is full-bodied in the mouth, enveloping the palate with flavours of ripe apple, and fresh, yeasty bread. It also brings a bright acidity, making it a brilliant pairing for creamy dishes, such as buttered oysters, Brie or Camembert. It is the estate’s signature product, so it is perfect for those seeking a benchmark taste of Champagne’s heartland.

Price: £29.75 from 8wines UK