Australians love to celebrate. From horse races to everyday get-togethers Australians will pop the cork on a bottle of bubbles with the merest excuse. It is no wonder then that the wide brown down under is the fourth largest importer of Champagne globally, consuming 16 million litres of the cold bubbly wine this past year. This is up from sixth place a few years before. Australians thirst for real French bubbles has increased in the past year, with Champagne dominating the sparkling wine sector in this nation and 62% of all bubbly sales going to Champagne. Last year this figure was 50%.
Why choose Champagne?
With the warmer months on us and months of cold-packed lockdown pent-up demand needing to be serviced, it will come as no surprise that Australians are ready to celebrate small freedoms and grand occasions with Champagne. To be called Champagne, the sparkling wine has to be grown and made on the chalky soil of the Champagne region 160km east of Paris. Australians are very comfortable with the idea of drinking an imported product for those special occasions putting the Champagne brand ahead of beverage nationalism. In other words, Aussies put bubbles ahead of borders.
What Champagne should you choose?
So with the change of season, it’s a great time to make sure you have bubbles on the wine – either on pour or even up-sell an event with bubbles on arrival. Finding a Champagne with a point of difference can be difficult when the Australian landscape is dominated by the big Champagne houses. Besserat de Bellefon is a Champagne house that dates back to 1843. It is known in France today by the initials BB and for its range of food-friendly sparkling wines. Smooth, creamy and mousse-like with a lovely light finish, this superb Champagne is made in Epernay in the heart of France’s Champagne region.
The beauty of Besserat de Bellefon
The Besserat de Bellefon brand explores different styles of Champagne from dry to rose to Champagne that has been barrell aged before bottling. The Bleu Brut (170272), for example, is a blend of pinot meunier, chardonnay and pinot noir from harvested from eight different areas within Champagne to which older wine, that has been maturing in the Besserat de Bellefon solera system, is added. Once bottled Bleu Brut (170272) is matured on lees for a minimum of three tears making for a straw yellow Champagne, with lime, honeysuckle and hazelnut aromas and harmoniously balanced palate. For a splash of pink bubbles the Rose Brut (170278) is a wine with a beautiful pink blush, with soft fine bubbles with aroma of red berries and apple blossom. A beautiful and fun drink for the festive season. The Blanc de Blancs (170269) is made with 100% chardonnay grapes sourced by chief winemaker Cédric Thiébault from six Grand Cru villages. With a subtle citrus nose and this is a Champagne with an energetic nature, perfect for a celebratory glass of bubbles or to start a grand meal.
These beautiful and elegant Champagnes are suited to every special occasion and accessible enough to pour every day. It’s time to celebrate. It’s time to pop the cork and pour some real Champagne.
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170272
Besserat de Bellefon Bleu Brut
The dazzling clarity of the Bleu Brut (170272), imbued with minerality, reveals the depth of its original balance. Brimming with fruit, spices and immense energy, Bleu Brut (170272) shimmers with luminous coppery highlights and offers magnificent depth. A timeless signature. A first step into the world of Besserat de Bellefon.
170278
Besserat de Bellefon Rose Brut
The Rose Brut (170278) cuvee is a celebration in the mouth. Delicate and gossamer light, its robe of pink muslin is like a sensual embrace. The nose is generous, intense and refined, studded with small red berries, with notes of redcurrant jelly and sweet almond. The finish is mouth-watering, bright and lightly spicy.
170269
Besserat de Bellefon Blanc de Blancs
Sculpted from the rocky soil of its terroir, Besserat de Bellefon Blanc de Blancs (170269) offers a magnificent chain of creamy bubbles of incredible precision. The nose is intense, mineral and saline, with fresh citrus aromas intermingling harmoniously with floral notes of honeysuckle and acacia. A finely-honed palate with superb structure and magnificent amplitude. Translucent and pure, citrus and lemon compose a symphony of absolute elegance.
