Drappier Champagne Happy Hour Thursday, July 16th 6pm and all the Drappier Champagne in the store on SALE!!
Only peril can bring the French together. One can't impose unity out of the blue on a country that has 265 different kinds of cheese.
Charles de Gaulle
Viva La France!!... and we can only say that to save the world and to promote world peace we only need more Champagne!!
Good news!! Champagne has been found to be good for your mental health- check out the article from the University of Reading included in this e-mail and make sure you get your 3-5 glasses of bubbles each day!!
Drappier is one of my favorite Champagne houses because of their specialty with large format bottles and we always have some large format bottles of Drappier here for the holidays. They are the only house that ferments these ultra large bottles in the same bottle that you serve them out of, which is the method of Sparkling wine production that this part of France has made famous throughout the world known as the Methode Champenoise. Unfortunately, when you do this secondary fermentation in bottles that are 6 liters and up, the pressure tends to be so great that almost 50% of the bottle break during fermentation!! So, if you want to make 50 15 Liter bottles you have to start with 100!
We had an opportunity to visit this Champagne house which is located in Troyes, the historical capital of the region. This is about 3 hours South of Reims and most people that visit Champagne don’t make it this far south as there is plenty to drink in Reims and Epernay. Even the Germans left this city intact after destroying most of their neighbors to the north during WWII. This is why they still have the old wood framed buildings in this city making it one of the most charming places to visit if you love Champagne it is a must stop and the hospitality we received at Drappier was worth the trip.
The fee for this tasting is $115 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9453 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
Drappier Champagne Happy Hour Wine Tasting
Thursday, July 16th
6PM
NV Drappier Brut Nature Champagne
NV Drappier Carte d'Or Brut Champagne
NV Drappier Blanc de Blanc Signature Brut Champagne
2015 Drappier Grand Sendree Champagne
NV Drappier Zero Dosage Brut Nature Rose Sparkling Rosé Champagne
NV Drappier Brut Rose de Saignee Champagne
Menu
Siberian Caviar Stuffed Potatoes
Tuna Tartar with Macadamia Nuts, Orange Peel, Sesame Seeds, Mango and Nori
Sonoma Chicken Salad on Brioche Bun
Turkey Meat Balls with Candied Orange and Lemon Citrus Goat Cheese Sauce
The fee for this tasting is $115 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
A bit about Champagne Drappier
Once occupied by Cistercian monks from Clairvaux Abbey, the seat of the house includes some magnificent 12th-century vaulted cellars.
Moving on to the more recent past, the ancestral tree of the Drappier Family nevertheless has its roots in the 17th century, with the birth in 1604 of Rémy Drappier, who like Nicolas Ruinart, becomes a cloth merchant in Reims. His grandson Nicolas (1669-1724) is a public prosecutor in the reign of Louis XIV. We must wait until 1803 for one of the ancestors of the house, François, to move to Urville and begin working a vineyard which today extends over 55 hectares, without counting a dozen contractual arrangements with other growers in the Côte des Bar, the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs.
In Urville, at the beginning of the 1930s, the vineyard suddenly erupts with heated discussions. This is when the descendant of that time, Georges Collot, maternal grandfather of Michel, the present head of the house, is the first to decide to plant Pinot Noir in the region. His decision causes some amusement and he is nicknamed 'Father Pinot'. In the meantime, this grape variety comes to represent 70% of Drappier's vineyards and almost three quarters of grape production in the local area. History has proved the mockers wrong.
In 1952 André and Micheline Drappier launch the Carte d'Or cuvée with its distinctive yellow label. This reminds one of quince jelly, a yellow fruit (left) of which several aromatic notes are found in every bottle. shop
After the historic frost of 1957 (when 95% of the potential yield is destroyed), André introduces Pinot Meunier, more resistant to icy spring weather. Even so, it is a 100% Pinot Noir Drappier cuvée which will captivate General de Gaulle for his family enjoyment at Colombey-les-deux-Eglises. shop
In 1968 Micheline has the idea of introducing a rosé champagne. It too will be 100% Pinot Noir and in a clear glass bottle, a feminine touch which is still very rare at this time. Forty years later, the Drappier Rosé has enjoyed true success, taking it right to the Elysée Palace. shop
Since 1979 Michel DRAPPIER has controlled the winemaking process, while André, with a lifetime's experience of harvests behind him, keeps a watchful eye over the vineyards, which today cover 53 hectares of land owned by the domaine and 40 hectares in contractual arrangements with other growers.
In 1988 deep cellars dug out of the Reims limestone in the reign of Napoleon III come under family ownership to house the prestigious cuvées. Since then, three young buds born of Michel and Sylvie - Charline in 1989, Hugo in 1991 and Antoine in 1996 - represent the eighth generation in the domaine.
The true cornerstone of the house, the Drappier vineyard has the good fortune to be able to rely on more than 90 hectares shared between the Côte des Bar, the cradle of the family where the old vines are no longer counted; the Montagne de Reims, well known for the power of its Pinot Noir; and the Côte des Blancs, famed for the finesse of its Chardonnay. A strong focus is placed on natural viticulture, and the house’s vines, as well as a portion of the rented parcels, are treated with organic composts made in-house, as well as organically-certified fertilisers. The only concession made is in the treatment of mildew, where some synthetic products may be used if necessary: “If I have to choose, I would rather have a healthy vine than an unhealthy but completely organic one,” says Michel Drappier.
All the Champagne from Drappier in the store on SALE!!
NV Drappier Carte d'Or Brut Champagne NV 3 Liter
Price: $600.00 Your Price: $540.00
NV Drappier Carte d'Or Brut Champagne
Price: $60.00 Your Price: $54.00
The Drappier Carte d’Or expresses all the aromas of the noble grape variety Pinot Noir. This in fact constitutes at least 80% of the blend. A red grape producing white juice, it is sought after not only for its structure but also for its very characteristic fine notes of red fruits.
NV Champagne Drappier Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs
Price: $75.00 Your Price: $67.50
For lovers of pure sensations we have created a 100% Pinot Noir cuvée with no dosage. It contains only the wine's natural residual sugar at less than 2g per bottle. Moreover, the use of an absolute minimum of sulphur gives the wine the freedom to express itself totally. On the nose there is crisp and at the same time ripe fruit. On the palate it is upright and pure, with abundant finesse and freshness.
NV Drappier Brut Nature Champagne Zero Dosage
Price: $78.00 Your Price: $70.20
Historically, Michel Drappier was one of the Brut Nature pioneers in Champagne in the 80’s Purest version of Pinot Noir champagne: no sugar added (dosage), no filtration, no fining, no discolouration Complementary / different in a wine list ; not a traditional brut, not a Blanc de Blancs.
Vinification of the Brut Nature cuvée
~ Only the juices from first pressing are used
~ No filtering
~ Use of gravity to avoid oxidation
~ Minimal use of sulphur
~ Zero dosage
~ Then total and natural malolactic fermentation
~ 100% of the wines are made in vats in order to preserve freshness
~ After bottling, the cuvée is aged at least 30 months sur lattes (on laths).
GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir
TASTING NOTES: Vermilion gold in color. Nose of freshly pressed black grapes, of red, white and citrus fruits. Ample palate with flesh of vineyard peach and bouquet of aromatic herbs. Small spicy notes in the finish. A fine, tightly knit Champagne of great purity.
NV Drappier Charles De Gaulle Brut Champagne
Price: $90.00 Your Price: $81.00
In the 1960s, when he was not at the Elysée Palace or on official business elsewhere, General de Gaulle would reside at his property, the Boiserie in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, situated afew miles from Urville. There he discovered Champagne Drappier and chose a cuvée rich in Pinot Noir (80%) which was renamed in homage to him.
Very fine nose of citrus fruits, apple, almond or perhaps nutmeg. When it reaches the palate the Charles de Gaulle Cuvée exhibits a remarkable complexity, with an airy mousse and lightly candied notes.
NV Drappier Brut Rose de Saignee Champagne
Price: $82.50 Your Price: $74.25 Quantity in Stock: 1
(92 Points) "Lightly floral on the nose, with hints of lavender and verbena, and spicy on the palate, offering ground clove and anise accents to the flavors of pastry dough, wild cherry, golden raisin, grated coconut and fleur de sel. Harmonious and elegant throughout, presenting a long, mouthwatering finish." Wine Spectator
100% Pinot Noir
The Drappier vineyard covers 100 hectares and constitutes the House’s essential trump card.
Since 1808 our family has used its skill to select parcels of land which are particularly well exposed and extremely rich in limestone. For the most part they are located around Urville, where the Pinot Noir, in the majority, finds its loveliest expression and allows the production of very elegant, aromatic wines.
Vinification of the Brut Rosé cuvee: Rosé made using the saignée method with maceration in vats lasting 3 days.
Use of gravity to avoid pumping, thus avoiding oxidization, Natural settling, Alcoholic fermentation for roughly 2 weeks at low temperature, Then total and natural malolactic fermentation, No filtering, Minimal use of sulphur.
Assemblage – 100% of the wines are made in vats in order to preserve as much freshness as possible
After bottling the cuvée is aged for 2 to 3 years sur lattes (on laths) Dosage: 7.5 g/
Tasting notes: Very well structured, with exemplary purity of red fruits. A striking Champagne on the nose offering similar sensations on the palate. Warm and satiny, lightly spiced with balanced hints of stoned fruits thanks to a lovely freshness in the finish.
NV Drappier Zero Dosage Brut Nature Rose Sparkling Champagne
Price: $101.00 Your Price: $90.90
On the nose, very evocative of strawberry and raspberry with a floral note of rose petals. The palate recalls red fruits and is augmented by hints of citrus fruit, mandarin orange and a small, very refined touch of white pepper.
NV Drappier Clarevallis Extra Brut, Champagne, France
Price: $75.00 Your Price: $67.50
(94 Points) Another new micro-cuvée from Drappier is the NV Extra-Brut Clarevallis, a bottling that pays homage to the Abbey of Clairvaux, whose monks pioneered viticulture in Urville. Offering up aromas of crisp golden orchard fruit, white flowers and stone fruit mingled with hints of clear honey and green almonds, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vinous, with fine depth at the core, tangy acids and a lively pinpoint mousse. Concluding with a chalky finish, this is well worth seeking out. – WK Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, September 2021
NV Drappier Blanc de Blanc Signature Brut Champagne
Price: $83.00 Your Price: $74.70
(92 Points) Beautifully aromatic, with abundant ground spice, graphite and toasted coconut notes, this mouthwatering Champagne features a satiny mousse and a rich profile of dried papaya, glazed nectarine, grated ginger and chopped almond, all set on an elegant frame. Wine Spectator
Scientific Proof that Champagne is good for your Brain
New research shows that drinking one to three glasses of champagne a week may counteract the memory loss associated with ageing, and could help delay the onset of degenerative brain disorders, such as dementia.
Scientists at the University of Reading have shown that the phenolic compounds found in champagne can improve spatial memory, which is responsible for recording information about one's environment, and storing the information for future navigation.
The compounds work by modulating signals in the hippocampus and cortex, which control memory and learning. The compounds were found to favourably alter a number of proteins linked to the effective storage of memories in the brain. Many of these are known to be depleted with age, making memory storage less efficient, and leading to poorer memory in old age and conditions such as dementia. Champagne slows these loses and therefore may help prevent the cognitive losses that occur during typical and atypical brain ageing.
Champagne has relatively high levels of phenolics compared to white wine, deriving predominantly from the two red grapes, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, which are used in its production along with the white grape Chardonnay. It is these phenolic compounds which are believed to be responsible for the beneficial effects of champagne on the brain.
Professor Jeremy Spencer, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, said: "These exciting results illustrate for the first time that the moderate consumption of champagne has the potential to influence cognitive functioning, such as memory. Such observations have previously been reported with red wine, through the actions of flavonoids contained within it.
"However, our research shows that champagne, which lacks flavonoids, is also capable of influencing brain function through the actions of smaller phenolic compounds, previously thought to lack biological activity. We encourage a responsible approach to alcohol consumption, and our results suggest that a very low intake of one to two glasses a week can be effective."
Dr. David Vauzour, the researcher on the study, added: "in the near future we will be looking to translate these findings into humans. This has been achieved successfully with other polyphenol-rich foods, such as blueberry and cocoa, and we predict similar outcomes for moderate Champagne intake on cognition in humans."
Previous research from the University of Reading revealed that two glasses of champagne a day may be good for your heart and circulation and could reduce the risks of suffering from cardiovascular disease and stroke.
The paper is published in Antioxidants and Redox Signalling.
For all media enquiries please contact Alex Brannen 07834 006 243 or James Barr 07788 714376
Notes for editors:
The University of Reading is ranked among the top 1% of universities in the world (THE World University Rankings 2012) and is one of the UK's top research-intensive universities
The Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences is the largest University department of its kind in the UK, combining state of the art teaching facilities, clinical nutrition unit, labs and the largest pilot processing plant in the UK. The Department is internationally recognised for the quality of its research and enjoys a high public profile both domestically and internationally.
The department continues to work with the food industry over a wide range of industrially funded research projects and contracts under our Food Chain and Health research theme. This includes one-to-one funding from multi-national companies through to small and medium sized enterprises.
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