PALMER CHAMPAGNE HITS THE MARKET FROM FRANCE

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Michael Hepworth

PALMER CHAMPAGNE HITS THE MARKET FROM FRANCE

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NEW ENTRANT HAS BEEN AROUND ALMOST SEVENTY YEARS

HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)6/21/16/–Look around for this exciting new champagne from France that his just hit the USA market which I got the opportunity to taste in a private event at the Palm Restaurant in Los Angeles.

The champagne dates back to 1947 when Champagne Palmer was founded by an established Group of growers in Avize, France. Apparently one of the growers was crazy about an English biscuit put out by the company Huntley & Palmer, hence the very unlikely name for a French champagne.

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The vineyards now encompass 300 growers and are located in the region of Montagne de Reims. The vineyards are full of rich clay soils, and the three sub-regions are La Cote de Sezanne, La Cote de Bar and La Vallee de la Marne. Total area is 415 hectares, and these vines arem situated in prime Grand-Cru designated land. There are well over 3 kilometers of deep cellars on the estate that have been excavated into the chalk.

Palmer Champagne is very proud of their 17,600 pound press, which they use exclusively for the cuvee of Palmer. They have a large stock of older vintages that they put on the market and which are disgorged to order. The winemaker is Jerome Bouby, who is a firm believer in cold stabilization and double filtration.

The most inexpensive champagne in the portfolio is the Brut Reserve ($49.99) which is 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier. The drink is produced from the first grape pressings. The extensive aging process is 4 years on the lees plus an additional six months after disgorgement.

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The Palmer Champagne Brut Rose Reserve ($51) has the same grape breakdown and what makes this champagne very relaxing is the 15% wine included in the blend before bottling comes from a solera started about 30 years ago.

For me at this tasting the Blanc de Blancs ($84.99) really stood out with its Chardonnay grapes from the area known as Trepail and Villers -Marmery. A small percentage of the grapes come from Cote de Sezanne which gives the champagne the exotic flavor that makes this drink so special. This is a very crystalline champagne with a taste of citrus, white flowers and almonds that is silky on the palate.

Top of the class however is the Amazone de Palmer Tete De Cuvee ($149.99) which is 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir. Also included are the finest reserves available in the house. Aging process is at least ten years in the deep chalk cellars, and it even comes in a classy Oval shaped bottle. Here we have hints of exotic and dried fruits, toasted hazelnuts and brioche. In short this a very complex wine that will with virtually any food, and is a must for a special occasion.

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