Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.
F. Scott Fitzgerald, American novelist
About The Pack
Champagne is a region dominated by the big name brands, huge houses with bottomless marketing budgets where what outside the bottle is more important than what's on the inside.
Here are six cuvees from producers who show just why Champagne has become the drink of choice for the best moments of one's life.
These wines are all grown lovingly, raised slowly and presented beautifully. It's a collection of six of the most important Champagne labels of the grower movement.
This is a treat of a pack for yourself or someone you love.
NV Champagne Fleury Blanc de Noir Brut
Champagne Fleury was founded in 1895 by patriarch, Jean-Pierre Fleury.
Jean-Pierre was a pioneer of biodynamic farming in Champagne, converting his first seven acre plot in 1989 before having all of his vineyards certified by 1992. He was the first in the region to gain certification and has done much for promoting the more sustainable farming practices that many of the best growers now adopt.
The Fleury vineyards are planted 90% to Pinot Noir, making for more powerful, fuller-bodied styles of Champagne, but Jean-Pierre's craftsmanship in the cellar sees his cuvees retain pristine elegance and vibrancy.
This offers rare value for money from Champagne, from a great producer who's left a lasting legacy on the region.
Read more about NV Champagne Fleury Blanc de Noir Brut2015 Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Brut Rose
Alexandre Chartogne is regarded amongst the top ranks of Champagne's younger generation of artisanal grower producers.
Inspired by his time with the legendary Anselme Selosse (whom he describes as his, "Wine Father"), Alexandre has experimented with multiple modes of production during his tenure in control of his family's plantings just north of Reims.
Since 2006, he has managed his sites on the southern slopes of the Massif de Saint-Thierry with organic practices (uncertified), and believes that in the traditions of his ancestors lies plenty of wisdom. He now makes the wines as they did - with the wines aged in barrel and handled with care.
The vintage Rose is comprised of equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. A small portion of red wine from the Les Orizeaux vineyard lends the light blush colour. Antonio Galloni dubbed it "such a pretty and distinctive Rosé."
It will continue to develop in bottle of the coming years.
Read more about 2015 Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Brut RoseNV Champagne R. Pouillon Reserve Brut
"Intensity and plenty of zip through the finish. Complexity and energy."
Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
Fabrice Pouillon considers the Brut Reserve the flagship of the R. Pouillon range.
It's one of his favourite wines to put together. The process of blending and finding balance and a fully complete expression of his domaine is one he relishes.
The wine is comprised of 50% reserve wine from a solera that began back in the late 1990. This forms the foundation of the wine, bringing depth and complexity.
The remainder is younger vintage wine that brings freshness and life. This is a beautiful Champagne, full of life and energy.
Read more about NV Champagne R. Pouillon Reserve BrutNV Val Frison Goustan Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature
Valerie Frison's family has grown grapes around the village of Ville-Sur-Arce in the Cote des Bar, supplying co-ops and negociants for many years.
She switched all of their 6ha of vineyards to organic viticulture in 2000 and progressed to producing her own wines from 2007. She makes Champagne with a natural approach, opting for wild barrel ferments and malolactic to preserve the truest picture of her terroirs. A grapes first approach is at the core of her micro production cuvees.
The Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature is a dry, piercing, mineral-driven wine. A dazzling display of the energy and power that can be attained in 100% Pinot Noir cuveés, this is for lovers of the tighter, more tense examples of Champagne.
Read more about NV Val Frison Goustan Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature2007 Paul Bara Grand Millesime
The vintage Grand Millesime from Paul Bara is only made in vintages deemed to be outstanding.
This sophisticated vintage cuveé is comprised of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, harvested from their enviable vineyard holdings across the sought-after Grand Cru village of Bouzy.
It's all about finesse with this cuveé, with winemaker Chantale Bara the authentic character of the vintage shine.
It's rare to see vintage Champagne from an acclaimed small grower available at this price. Take the opportunity while you can.
Read more about 2007 Paul Bara Grand MillesimeNV Fred Savart L’ Ouverture Champagne
Though he was born into a family of vignerons, Frederic Savart never wanted to make wine. He wanted to play football.
After showing much promise as a youngster with notable club Stade de Reims, he met the love of his life and, as so often happen when love is involved, made the life-changing decision to make a sea change and return to his home in Ecueil to take over the family business.
Frederic's grandfather René Savart purchased the family's first vines in 1947. René's son Daniel made tiny quantities of wine through the 1970s and procured more land, deciding to ramp things up in 1980s. In 2005, Frederic took the reins and transformed their house wines, through a more modern approach, into something that is now coveted by those in the know.
This cuveé is 100% Pinot Noir, the variety that the region is most renowned for. It's a beautiful wine, full of energy and drive. These bottles only make a rare appearance on Australian shores and find their homes on the very best wine lists in short order.
Read more about NV Fred Savart L’ Ouverture Champagne