It continues to remain one of the great thrills of our work to come across talented names from Champagne that have stayed out of our radar, and dive into their details and delights. Forget-Brimont has been one such joy in recent days - an estate based in Ludes (a Premier Cru village in the Montagne de Reims), who have continued to perpetuate ancient traditions with winemaking of patience, minimal intervention in the vineyard, and precise aging methods helped along by their chalk cellars that lie 15 metres underground and run for close to kilometre.
It is current chef de cave's Frédéric Jorez firm belief that the standards for the house must stay 'even higher than the official regulations for the Champagne appellation' will dictate. A commendable directive for any passionate winemaker, and the 19 hectares of north-facing vines near Reims he presides across (including the Grands Crus of Mailly-Champagne, Verzenay and Verzy) only sweeten the pot of their quality and creativity. They proudly hold level 3 certification in France's High Environmental Value scheme, the very highest tier - their choices to harvest manually, use gravity and elevation to settle their fruit as opposed to mechanical pumps, and only using the first and finest juices that flow from that process in the final blend bring a sense of sprightly energy and ample aromatics to their row of releases.
For this week's Champagne Monday special, we highlight perhaps our personal favourite from them in our recent tasting, the Brut Rosé NV! A enriched and savoury pink option to enjoy through these cool months (some foie gras, quail or game dishes will all prove delicious pairings), alive with redcurrants, fresh florals, blood orange and dried herb, with whiffs of cream and some roasted nutty goodness through the finish. It's as forward and addictive a wine we've tried in the rosé category all year, and we'd advise one shouldn't store away for too many years. Pop a bottle open soon when the time is right, and let it cast its vibrant spell.
'Time: the fourth Champagne grape' continues to be founder Michel Forget's philosophy, who passed the winemaking baton onto Frédéric Jorez (pictured) back in 2000, who ensures its continuation since and has brought about viticultural ingenuity all his own.
'Each of our cuvées is intended to be shared and enjoyed with the people you love most,' maintains Jorez, despite much praise for the complex technicalities of his work.
Forget-Brimont Brut Rosé NV
$115 on special this week ($129 RRP)
// 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay
2022 base vintage, with 40-50% reserve wines
Aged on lees for 3 years before disgorgement
9g/L dosage
"Exceptionally fresh, with remarkable aromatic intensity. A rich and captivating array of small red fruits unfolds, with notes of strawberry, raspberry, and currant. The mouthfeel opens with a burst of vibrant freshness, showcasing the flavours of ripe and evolved red fruits. It strikes a perfect balance between roundness and freshness, offering an exceptional harmony." - House Notes
"A juicy and delicious combination of strawberries, raspberries, cherries, redcurrants and blood oranges combine with a creamy and nutty finish and just the right amount of umami rounding things off. Delicious fun and would suit a lunch that involves a few glasses of this, a duck, spinach and pomegranate salad and contagious laughter with friends." - Curly Haslam-Coates, The Wine Front
"Medium salmon-pink colour, with a complex toasty, roasted-nut bouquet which has background hints of parsnip and dried herbs. The palate is rich and yet also elegant and discreet, the finish dried off with the help of substantial tannins. The aftertaste is long and firm and it would go well with any smoked fish." - Huon Hooke, The Real Review
If you wish to purchase this champagne, please use the link above
If you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au
// Special price valid until Monday the 3rd of August