Billecart-Salmon N1, Meunier, Extra Brut

Billecart-Salmon N1, Meunier, Extra Brut

This may be the first time you have ever seen a champagne made from 100% Pinot Meunier! Pinot Meunier is one the the three grapes the wine maker is allowed to use to make champagne, in Champagne 🙂 and it is usually to compliment the other two widely used grapes, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. So there you go – now you know only three grapes can be used to make champagne! Not to insult anyone’s intelligence here, but I want to note that you will see on a label Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay) used a lot, as well as Blanc de Noirs (Pinot Noir) … this means that that champagne was made of 100% of that grape. Pinot Meunier is usually used to blend the two in multi-cépage champagnes/blends. So as you can see here on the label they clearly state Meunier. It’s rare!

“People in the grand cellars thought little of the Meunier, even though they had to use it to make up quantity in the blend.” –Eric Taillet, founder, Meunier Institut and Champagne Eric Taillet

In addition, this may be the ONLY time Billecart-Salmon does a 100% Pinot Meunier cuvée. This is an experimentation, and therefore was a very limited production, in which to get our hand in the fire, we had to order this 6 months ago! This special bottle is straight from a container to our club at Fizz! Fresh off the boat from France. This was placed in our reserve level club!

Our first stop is the historic terroirs in the Vallée de la Marne, where the Pinot Meunier varietal gives wine from this region its distinctive identity. A careful selection process based on the purity of the fruit and the balance of flavors. Billecart-Salmon takes you to the historic vineyards of Leuvrigny, Festigny and Venteuil in the heart of Vallée de la Marne. Here you will discover a new expression of Pinot Meunier, revealing a very special identity. The delicacy of its floral notes and the sweetness of its fruity aromas from this single varietal wine will brighten up your most beautiful shared moments.

Tasting Notes ~ Wonderfully balanced floral sensations (lime and violet) combined with the summery scents of freshly-cut wheat fields (grain and straw). This cuvée will awaken your senses to notes ranging from crisp fruit to juicy citrus. A highly delicate blend where the character of the Pinot Meunier subtly reveals itself. A sensual textured mouthfeel that blossoms into deeply delicious, fruity notes (white cherry, pear and redcurrant). A blissful sensation of flying high, with senses elevated and honed. Finally, a finish that is just as enjoyable, lengthening to notes of white pepper with a pleasantly saline tartness.

Chef at Restaurant La Scène Paris, Stéphanie Le Quellec

“ My first encounter with Billecart-Salmon dates back around 10 years, at Terre Blanche, with my chef and friend Philippe Jourdin. 

This new Billecart-Salmon N1 cuvée has a very distinct personality. It is straightforward, balanced and frank, with attractive salty notes on the finish. I can well imagine such a cuvée accompanying my brioche bread pudding with caviar, or complemented by a beautiful Cour d’Armoise chicken in a surf-and-turf version combined with a blue lobster and a delicious cream sauce infused with taget.”

 

We will be featuring another Billecart – Salmon cuvée in our club next month!  This bottle was divine, the next one I can’t even… SOOO Good. If you would like to join the Fizz club please email me @ krista@theparisexperiment.com. 

 

Cheers Everyone!