Joseph Perrier La Côte à Bra 2015 Champagne

Founded in 1825, Champagne Joseph Perrier has been owned and run by the same family since 1888. Current director Benjamin Fourmon represents the 6th generation. Joseph Perrier owns 21 hectares of vineyards on the right bank of the River Marne, around Hautvillers and Cumières, two villages classed 93% in the 'échelle des crus'. They are mostly planted with Pinot Noir but include 2 hectares of Chardonnay.

The cellars stretch over three kilometres and date back to the Gallo-Roman period. The chosen name for these cuvées is no accident, nor any false claim to grandeur.

'Cuvée Royale' alludes to the historic relationship between Joseph Perrier and Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, as the royals' Champagne of choice - probably the highest honour any Champagne house can hope to earn. All the wines are made with a keen focus on freshness and purity, a theme which runs right through the range and really shows its worth in the vintage cuvées which show impressive energy and poise and remarkable ageing potential.

Grapes come from a single parcel of Pinot Noir grapes that have been farmed by Perrier since 2007.

The wine rest on the lees during second fermenation for 7 years.

Zero Dosage

The flavour is more discrete, yet
chiselled and forthright. The orange
zest and grapefruit create a good
body, adequate bitterness and a
slightly salty finish.