Beaumont des Crayères Grande Réserve Brut NV x 6, Champagne

Champagne

Introduction to the region

"It is said that a champagne bottle is popped open every second of the day somewhere in the world! But the great expansion of sales and brands has brought with it its own problems. For as global a brand as Champagne is, the very region which gives it its name and supply of grapes is under pressure and the industry is, controversially, promoting an expansion of its vineyard areas to meet the expected demand of the next 20 years. The last 20 years has seen unprecedented growth in export sales, led by the UK along with mergers and acquisitions of brands and estates by the big Champagne houses. Whilst auspicious brands as Dom Pérignon, Krug, Pol Roger and Louis Roederer?s Cristal rightly command attention and respect, the very essence and spirit still remains with the growers and the quality of the vineyards. As important as the big name brands will continue to be, Champagne domaines, such as Pierre Gimonnet epitomise the spirit and, above all, future for this region. It is worth remembering that there are over 300 villages and defined vineyard areas in Champagne but only 51 of these command Premier or Grand Cru status. Such is the paucity of supply of the finest grapes and this constraint remains constant. No wonder, as the very name conjures up an immediate sense of celebration and joie de vivree, an image which the Champagne industry has promoted brilliantly for over a hundred years."