Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Sunday 23 October 2011

Armance B – a sparkler from Frédéric Brochet (Ampelidae, Haut-Poitou)

Armance B. from Frédéric Brochet

After a lengthy excursion into Italy for the 4th edition of the European Wine Bloggers' Conference, it is time to return to this blog's roots – so it is back to the Loire.

Armance B. is a sparkling wine, made by the méthode traditionnelle (ie bottles fermented). This is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Folle Blanche (Gros Plant in the Pays Nantais). It spends a minimum of 17 months on its lees. It sells for 7€ at the domaine and will be between 8€-12€ in a caviste. Armance has a soft, commercial style and would be a good option for a wedding or other celebration where the hosts want a decent sparkler that will please many without have to pay the price for Champagne. 

For my taste the dosage on Armance B is too high and I prefer a sparkling wine with less sweetness but I can see its commercial attraction.



 

2 comments:

Hervé LALAU said...

I don't know if we tasted the same year or blend, but the one I had last year when Frédéric came to Brussels was none too sweet, but rather lively and fresh, with a good acidity to counter-balance the dosage.

Jim's Loire said...

I received the sample about three weeks ago or so. I guess it is a question of personal taste. Also I tasted it in the Loire, while you were in Brussels.