All elements united in “Alchemy”

Champagne Moutardier Alchimie has everything a champagne should have. This Brut with a low dosage , of only 4 grams, is an exceptional champagne made from 80% Meunier – 20% Chardonnay. The Meunier is aged in wood, giving the champagne an extra delicious ripe note. Subsequently, it rested for a long time on its lees and therefore acquired a substantial amount. autolyse (brood, brioche) in de geur en smaak. Een zeer volledig glas Champagne van een wat kleinere producent,  maar waar alles in zit. Hier geen doorsnee.  Moutardier laat in de Alchemie zijn toverkunsten zien.

Appearance is clear, light yellow, aged gold in the glass. Champagne Moutardier Alchimie has fine, lively bubbles for a beautiful mousse that lasts a long time.

The nose has a beautiful, complex warm apple, roasted mango, vanilla cream, pineapple, candied lemon, apricot, passion fruit, with smoky accents. After some time, aromas of butter, quince compote, Mirabelle plum, grilled almond, acacia honey, peach, candied pear, and mimosa emerge. And all of that from the Pinot Meunier grape, often formerly reviled.

This champagne is truly “vinous”. Suitable for aging for a few years and for pairing with food…. A combination with chicken in a tarragon sauce, but also with gratinated oysters, smoked salmon, and grilled scallops. Drink it well chilled at 8-9 degrees. Try pouring the wine into a standard wine glass instead of a flute. You will be amazed by the aromas. This champagne needs space.

Moutardier

The champagne house is located over 100 km east of Paris in the village of Le Breuil, in the Surmelin valley. Here at this family business, a magnificent range of wines of true top quality and great personality is produced. The Jean Moutardier Champagne House has eighty percent of its vineyards planted with the Pinot Meunier grape. The Moutardier family now owns 18 hectares of vineyards, favorably situated on first-class south-facing slopes with the calcareous soil of the valley.

You generally won't find a vintage year on champagne bottles because, during the blending of champagne, it is customary to combine grapes from different harvests and different years for the best result. A Millésimé is produced only in particularly good years.

Pinot Meunier grape

One of the three “noble” varieties used in Champagne blends. Pinot Meunier is considered essential for adding fruitiness and freshness to the power of Pinot Noir and the grace of Chardonnay. Although Meunier is rarely sold as a single variety, it still accounts for more than one-third of the vineyards in Champagne. Slightly higher in acidity than Pinot Noir. Similar flavors and aromas to Pinot Noir are often found in Pinot Meunier. Often less earthy but with more of a high-quality citrus character.