Sparkling Wine of the Year 2017
To help decide the winner of The Whisky Exchange Sparkling Wine of the Year, we ask sommeliers, wine writers and industry insiders for their views on the sparkling wines that have impressed them the most over the past 12 months.
Combining their opinions with our own, we come up with a shortlist of eight bottles. Each one is a fine example of its style, but we had to pick a winner. Our inaugural award goes to Chartogne-Taillet Sainte Anne Champagne. It's deliciously refreshing and delightfully fruity; scroll down to find out what it tastes like, some serving suggestions, and how to buy a bottle…
The Winner
Chartogne-Taillet
Sainte Anne Champagne
A delicate Champagne, Chartogne-Taillet Sainte Anne Brut is a blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir. Named after the patron saint of the house's home village of Merfy, it is elegant and balanced with notes of apple, citrus, brioche and a wonderful minerality.
This versatile sparkling wine can be enjoyed in a variety of ways; see below for full tasting notes and how to serve it.
ALLERGEN INFORMATION
This product may contain the following:Tasting Notes By Dawn Davies MW (TWE)
- Nose: Crushed apple, pine nuts and a herbal edge give it a lovely savoury note.
- Palate: The fruit is vibrant and fresh with elegance and poise. There are notes of red cherry, apple, citrus, quince, brioche and sea spray.
- Finish: Crisp apples and lime zest leave your palate wanting more.
- Comment: This Champagne is rich and complex, yet also fresh and light, making it a versatile Champagne that works as an aperitif as well as with food.
How To Enjoy It
Served chilled, this is light and refreshing and delightful on its own. However it has enough power to stand up to starters and lighter mains such as seafood dishes and roast chicken. Or, if cocktails are your thing, try a Kir Royale:
- add 10ml of crème de cassis to the bottom of a Champagne flute. Lejay-Lagoute's is the classic
- top with 90ml of Chartogne-Taillet Sainte Anne Champagne
About
Chartogne-Taillet
The estate was founded in the Champagne village of Merfy in 1920 when Marie Chartogne married Etienne Taillet. The current manager is Alexandre Chartogne, who trained under the legendary winemaker Anselme Selosse (of Jacques Selosse), reintroducing many traditional techniques, including ploughing the land by horse. Alexandre's philosophy is to produce riper fruit, reducing the need for dosage (adding sugar to balance out the acidity). His wines are harmonious, satisfying and increasingly complex in nature. Along with Sainte Anne Brut, we also stock his rosé, which is vibrant and full of red-fruit flavours.
The Runner-up
Agrapart & Fils Terroirs Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
The Shortlist
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Chartogne-Taillet Sainte Anne ChampagneSee more -
Agrapart & Fils Terroris Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut ChampagneSee more
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Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve ChampagneSee more
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Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose ChampagneSee more
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Tarlant Brut Tradition ChampagneSee more
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Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2011 English Sparkling WineSee more
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Collalto Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Extra DrySee more
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Digby Brut Non-Vintage English Sparkling WineSee more
See this year's Other Winners
