Eric Rodez = new shipment arrives
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A new shipment has arrived. Sadly most wines have sold out – a few Crayeres remain in stock.

New arrivals tasting with Sommeliers.
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Tasting of recent arrivals. Miniere, Coquillette with some old favourites Bourgeois-Diaz and Glavier.

Miniere and Coquillette Pre-arrival July 2017.
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Arriving end of July are the iconic terroir Champagnes from F&R Miniere and Stephane Coquillette. Old vines oak influenced from Frederic Miniere are turning heads world wide. From one of the most northern villages in Champagne – Hermonville. Stephane Coquillette … Read More

Glavier and Bourgeois-Diaz Pre-arrival.
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Arriving end of March 2017, the complete range of bio-dynamic Champagnes from Jerome Bourgeois-Diaz, and great Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru from Philippe Glavier.  Get onto the subscription list for exclusive limited pre-arrival pricing.  

Biodynamics?
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The truth about biodynamic viticulture. There is much talk about this type of viticulture. Lots of strange preparations. No herbicides, no pesticides. Copper allowed. Stuff fermented in cow horn etc. etc. Some of the weird concoctions are: Preparation 500 (horn … Read More

Aroma chart
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This chart has been around in French for a while, here is an English version I have created with a few tweaks. You can download the hires version.

January Pre-arrival – Eric Rodez and Marie-Noelle Ledru
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Arriving in January are the iconic Champagnes from maybe the king and queen of Ambonnay – Eric Rodez and Marie-Noelle Ledru.  Eric combines subtle oak maturation with an extensive array of older reserve wines. Marie-Noelle makes classic wines from carefully … Read More

November Pre-arrival – Lilbert, Coquillette
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Bertrand Lilbert is one of the masters of Cramant terroir, and Stephane Coquillette is a master of Chouilly terroir who also creates a profound Blanc de Noir from Ay. Subscribe to get onto the exclusive email list.

October Pre-arrival – F&R Miniere and Voirin-Jumel
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Arriving in October are the sensational oak matured no malo wines from Frederic Miniere in Hermonville. Also more favourite chardonnay from Voirin-Jumel in Cramant.   

Newsletter – April in France 2016
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Hello Champagne aficionados, April is a busy time in Champagne region – with growers launching new tasting salon exhibitions left right and centre.  There was only one Salon eight years ago “Terres et Vins” – now there are 21 !  … Read More

Prize Winning Photos
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Two of my photos have won some nice awards during the year. This one of Emmanuel Lassaigne disgorging Champagne has captured him at just the right moment. This image is of Anselme Selosse – one of gurus of Champagne – … Read More

Champagne week – “Printemps des Champagnes”
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April is a busy time in Reims and Epernay with a number of grower groups running exhibition salons. Most tastings are now in Reims. Confirmed: Origines de Champagne – 16th and 17th April – Pierry Le Cercle des Créateurs de … Read More

Open for business
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Champagne de Vigneron is alive and well – searching for vinous Champagnes that speak loudly of the terroir and the wine maker. Arriving in March are some terroir focused wines for Melbourne clients. Stunning wines from Philippe Glavier, Hélène Beaugrand, … Read More

Masterclass 1996 Champagne Melbourne
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A nice masterclass run by David Donald – using my stock of 1996 Champagnes. My notes are my personal view. 1996 Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs. This is the regular bottling. Pure and mineral but still showing quite a bit of … Read More

Taste Champagne – Melbourne – Tyson Stelzer
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Monday October 12th at Black Events Melbourne. There were two sessions – Trade first then public in the evening. There was a mix of the usual big house brands, small house brands and growers. Sadly across all market segments, big … Read More

Champagne Group tasting – August 3rd 2015
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1995 Bollinger Grande Annee A slightly evolved style – a nice drink but maybe not in pristine condition. 2000 Launois Maxime BdB Very pure and intense, classic Chardonnay from a great village. Long and subtle with the dosage perfectly integrated. … Read More

Champagne 2014 Export Statistics Analysis – focusing on Australia and growers
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Just a few observations on Champagne Export statistics. Here we have graphs showing different perspectives. You can click on the graphs for a larger popup version.  First, the total bottle statistics for top ten counties. Here we have the total … Read More

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