Champagne Gardet

Gardet was established in 1895 by Charles Gardet in Epernay. In the 1930s, his son, Georges Gardet, continued the family tradition by moving to Chigny-les-Roses to develop the Champagne Gardet brand. It was sold to the Prieux family in 2007. The Prieuxs have invested in the business, but wisely retained the features of the style of wine made over the years, only slightly refining it to be a little more forward-drinking with more fruit freshness and balance. The house owns around 7 ha of premier cru vineyards around their home villages of Chigny-Les-Roses, Ludes and Rilly la Montage. The long tirage time and the use of a high proportion of reserve wine has marked the house style, and in fact is a distinguishing feature of Champagne Gardet.

Altogether fresh on the nose, the palate fills and richens with every sip, a sign of the extra mature wines added - the palate grows in the glass and seems more expressive and elegant, with a full-bodied consistency, fine acidity and a balance between creamy roasted nut and brioche flavours and bold, steely acidity.

Perfect as a simple aperitif, or with classy canapes that have depth of flavour and spice. Perhaps even Asian cuisine - not too spicy, mind!

Made from 90% Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, with 10% Chardonnay added to gives freshness and complexity. The grapes are all hand picked, sorted and pressed with only the juice from the first and second light pressings used. Fermented in steel tank using natural yeats, the wine is then transferred into bottle for the classic Mehtode Champenoise secondary ferment using inocculated yeasts, natural sugars and some reserve wines to add complexity and depth. The wine ferments for approx 24 months in bottle in the cool dark cellars of Maison Gardet, before disgorgement, refilling with the correct wine and approx 8grams of sugar and corking prior to sale.

Wine Merchant Top 100 2023, Highly Commended. Silver Medal, Decanter World Wine Awards 2022, 92 points. Wine Spectator: 90/100points. Jancis Robinson: 16/20 points "very finely textured bubbles, like lace laid over silk". Decanter, December 2020, 91 points "A classic aromatic nose of almond, peach and nut kernels. Expressive and smooth palate with similar notes and well-rounded freshness with firm citric grip." Sunday Express S Magazine, May 2022: "A blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, this is fresh and lively with hints of cherries and lemon as well as a twist of marzipan."