look what i found...la_fee_verte_June 27 2005, 01:25:57 UTC
GARDET Discovering this family - owned establishment has been one of the highlights of my champagne drinking career. It is tucked away in the small village of Chigny-les-Roses, in the heartland of the Montagne de Reims - Pinot Noir territory. The buildings are not exactly historic - they had the misfortune to be close to a German V2 rocket base in the Second World War and the Allied bombers proved rather effective.
In 1895 Charles Gardet, a director of a small house in Mareuil sur Ay, established his own marque in Epernay. In the 1920’s his son Georges expanded the business and moved to the present site. For decades expansion was gradual, but in the last 15 years production has doubled to a significant 1.2 million bottles a year. The present generation still maintain control.
The quality across the range of wines is marvellous. Due to two very important factors. Their own GRAND CRU VINEYARDS (100% rated) provide 10% of their production, and they buy their grapes from mainly Grand Cru vineyards. The RESERVE WINES are all important, as champagne house is only as good as its own reserve stocks. Gardet keep a large stock of fine reserve wines in large oak barrels. In recent years they have increased this, and now at least 10% of the blend of their Non- Vintage wine is from their Reserves
NON VINTAGE BRUT SPECIAL A delicious combination of biscuity nose, and a rich, creamy mouthful of flavour. Made from a third each of Chardonnay, pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, aged on lees for four years, considerably longer than the more commercial houses, hence added complexity. Around £17 a bottle retail UK
VINTAGE CUVEE CHARLES GARDET 1996 Now here I have to admit a certain bias. The 1976 and 1979 Gardet were simply two of the greatest Champagnes I have ever tasted. I never rate a house on its produce from great years.... it is what they do in the awkward years that matters. 76 was the hottest year in history and most winemakers made fat, blowsy wines, not Gardet! In common with Krug, they were one of the few to capture the wonderful honeyed intensity whilst still maintaining a finish of crisp acidity. The 79 was the opposite, a lightweight vintage. Yet Gardet's was powerful and beautifully structured. Great value at about £23
Discovering this family - owned establishment has been one of the highlights of my champagne drinking career. It is tucked away in the small village of Chigny-les-Roses, in the heartland of the Montagne de Reims - Pinot Noir territory. The buildings are not exactly historic - they had the misfortune to be close to a German V2 rocket base in the Second World War and the Allied bombers proved rather effective.
In 1895 Charles Gardet, a director of a small house in Mareuil sur Ay, established his own marque in Epernay. In the 1920’s his son Georges expanded the business and moved to the present site. For decades expansion was gradual, but in the last 15 years production has doubled to a significant 1.2 million bottles a year. The present generation still maintain control.
The quality across the range of wines is marvellous. Due to two very important factors. Their own GRAND CRU VINEYARDS (100% rated) provide 10% of their production, and they buy their grapes from mainly Grand Cru vineyards. The RESERVE WINES are all important, as champagne house is only as good as its own reserve stocks. Gardet keep a large stock of fine reserve wines in large oak barrels. In recent years they have increased this, and now at least 10% of the blend of their Non- Vintage wine is from their Reserves
NON VINTAGE BRUT SPECIAL
A delicious combination of biscuity nose, and a rich, creamy mouthful of flavour. Made from a third each of Chardonnay, pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, aged on lees for four years, considerably longer than the more commercial houses, hence added complexity. Around £17 a bottle retail UK
VINTAGE CUVEE CHARLES GARDET 1996
Now here I have to admit a certain bias. The 1976 and 1979 Gardet were simply two of the greatest Champagnes I have ever tasted. I never rate a house on its produce from great years.... it is what they do in the awkward years that matters. 76 was the hottest year in history and most winemakers made fat, blowsy wines, not Gardet! In common with Krug, they were one of the few to capture the wonderful honeyed intensity whilst still maintaining a finish of crisp acidity. The 79 was the opposite, a lightweight vintage. Yet Gardet's was powerful and beautifully structured. Great value at about £23
http://www.winedine.co.uk/page.php?cid=472
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