Grand Marques

Subcategories

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  Bollinger

  Thanks for visiting our Bollinger page. Established in 1829, we have been able to enjoy these wonderful champagnes for nearly 200 hundered years. That's true Champagne history!
  
  Bollinger was established in 1829 by Jacques Joseph Placide Bollinger and his partners Paul Renaudin and Count Athanase de Villermont. Later, Bollinger’s iconic leader was Madame Elisabeth Bollinger, known affectionately as ‘tante Lily’. One of Lily’s most famous statements about Bollinger is often quoted today, "I drink it when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and I drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it, unless I'm thirsty."

  Bollinger is one of the few remaining independent family owned Champagne houses. It is a relatively small house but has worked over the years to acquire some of the finest vineyards, and now has about 165 hectares. The chalky soils found in the cooler northerly climate create a unique terroir for the 3 main grapes of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.

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  Moët & Chandon

  Moët et Chandon began life as Moët et Cie (Moët & Co.) and was established in Épernay by wine trader Claude Moët in 1743. Moet started shipping his wine from Champagne to Paris, and with his work coinciding with the reign of King Louis XV demand quickly increased. There was great interest in the new sparkling wines, which soon became the favorite of noblemen and aristocrats. Soon after its foundation, Moët son Claude-Louis joined Moët et Cie. The House became known as Moët and Chandon in 1832 when Jean-Rémy, the then celebrated leader of Moet & Cie retired and left the company in the hands of his son Victor Moët and son-in-law Pierre-Gabriel Chandon de Briailles. As Chandon became more involved in the business and was the co-owner, the name was officially changed that year to "Moët et Chandon”. Following the introduction of the concept of a vintage champagne in 1840, Moët marketed its first vintage in 1842. Their best-selling brand, Brut Imperial, was introduced in the 1860s. The House is steeped in history and now has over 1000 hectares of vineyards. Renowned for its quality and diversity, Moët and Chandon boasts 25 of the 41 premier crus and 13 of the 17 grand crus. They also have 28 kilometres of cellars in Epernay! Moët and Chandon is probably the best known brand of Champagne in the UK and many of us celebrating a birthday or a wedding or special event will have enjoyed a glass of Moët and Chandon during that celebration.

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  Taittinger

  Taittinger are known for their discreet and elegant style of champagnes, and their use of a high percentage of chardonnay in the blend ranging from 40% in the Brut Reserve to 100% in the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs. Origins date back to 1734 when the House was founded by Jacques Fourneaux. Pierre Taittinger purchased the House in the early 1930s and remains in the family name today, at the heart of Reims. From mid 2005 until May 2006 the House was sold but after much negotiation, it was brought back and is run today by the Taittinger family. Taittinger was one of the first producers to use stainless steel vats, and in the raly part of this millenium a new vat hall came into production. Our range includes the Brut NV, Rose NV, the Nocturne Sec and the wonderful Brut Vintage from 2005 and the flagship Compte, a magnificent Blanc de Blanc.

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  Laurent Perrier

  Laurent Perrier are one of the largest family owned Champagne Houses and offer a range of 7 fabulous champagnes from the Ultra Brut right through to the very special Alexandra Rose. Laurent Perrier is one of the most exclusive Houses and has a rich history in producing some of the finest champagnes. The Laurent Perrier House was founded in 1812 and produces some of the world’s most respected champagnes. It is the largest family owned brand. The House has a long tradition and history in the development of champagne with many notable events all combining to deliver a diverse range of seven finely crafted cuvees. Laurent-Perrier Brut's style is defined by its very high proportion of Chardonnay which provides a natural purity, freshness and elegance. These essential characteristics expressed in all ther champagnes, are a good introduction to the spirit of Laurent-Perrier.
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  Lanson

  Lanson is the fourth oldest house in Champagne and was awarded the Royal Warrant in 1860 by Queen Victoria. The House dates back to 1760 and Lanson are of the few producers to prevent malolactic fermentation, keeping their wines crisp and refreshing. The wine then has extended ageing in the historical wine cellars to mature and soften. We offer the whole spectrum of Lanson Champagnes and many of their gifts as well. Lanson are very much one of our favourites and offer a great product set. The Black Label is a top champagne and accompanied by a wonderful Rose. Don’t forget the White Label and the amazing Vintages. A great House and we are proud to offer their products.

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  Ruinart

  The Ruinart House was founded in 1729 and is the oldest Champagne House. It was founded by Nicolas Ruinart, nephew of Dom Thierry Ruinart. The chalk pits used for maturation and frementation are some 38 metres deep and in 1931 were given a historical monuments status. Ruinart Champagnes are supple and smooth, but always full bodied. The Blanc de Blancs is the flagship of the range, which also includes two classics in the Dom Ruinart Blanc and Dom Ruinart Rose.

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  Besserat de Bellefon

  Welcome to our range of Besserat Champagnes, one of the most stylish and elegant champagnes you will find. The range includes some memorable wines with Brut, Extra Brut, Rose, Blanc de Blancs and a Brut Vintage available. The Besserat de Bellefon range comes from a challenge made in the Parisian restaurant La Samaritine de Luxe back in 1930. The challenge was to Victor Besserat to make champagne that could be served with food right through a meal. The result – a range of perfectly crafted wines to accompany any meal! All made in the cremant style and having smaller bubbles, each wine is less fizzy than many but the creamier styles, each with their unique flavours, has created five perfect cuvees, known as the Cuvee des Moines. Made with food in mind, to accompany the whole meal, the champagnes are made in the cremant style and have tiny bubbles.
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  Gosset

  Champagne Gosset is the oldest wine house in Champagne, dating from 1754. For four centuries the brand has been carefully managed and developed, and is still a family business today. Most of the cuvees are presented in the attractive old style bottle which is a replica of those used in the 18th and 19th centuries. Gosset avoids malolactic fermentation thus ensuring the wines retain their natural freshness.
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  Piper Heidsieck

  Piper-Heidsieck was founded by Florens-Louis Heidsieck on July 16, 1785 in Reims. After he died in 1828, the business was taken over by his nephew, Christian Heidsieck, and his cousin Henri Guilaume Piper. These combined to form the Piper-Heidsieck house after Henri Piper married the widow of Christian Heidsieck in 1838. Piper Heidsieck do not own any of their vineyards. They source grapes from 60 vineyards in the Champagne region for use in their wines. They currently produce some five million bottles of champagne a year and offer six different champagnes all produced using a non-malolactic, low-dosage method.
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  Tsarine

  This wonderful range of Tsarine Champagne, created by Chanoine Frères, was made in homage to the Czars of Russia and to women of Russian nobility from the 19th Century. This is the Tsarine cuvée. The history of "Chanoine Frères" goes back to 1730, the days of Louis XV, when two brothers Jacques-Louis and Jean-Baptiste Chanoine started a family business selling champagne wines. That same year the brothers asked the city authorities in the town of Epernay for a permit for construction or renovation of the first cellars for sparkling wines. It should be noted that "Champagne Chanoine Frères" is one of the oldest Champagne Houses – with only "Ruinart" being older. For over 270 years "Champagne Chanoine Frères" has seen its ups and downs, having lost its market position and by the end of the 20th century quietly turning into a so-called "sleeping brand". But in 1994 "Champagne Chanoine Frères" became part of the newly established BCC (Boizel Chanoine Champagne) and since then the brand has been re-born. The Tsarine champagnes are both elegant and light and enhanced by the balanced blend of the three champagne grape varieties. The Pinot Noir grape is the back bone of the wine, with the Pinot Meunier lending softness with fruit aromas. The Chardonnay grape provides a delicacy and elegance unique amongst its peers. This is the true spirit of the Tsarine range.