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5 min read
“At Champagne Lallier, we believe that a glass of Champagne is more than just a beverage; it’s a culmination of history, savoir-faire, and a profound respect for nature. It’s an experience that engages all your senses, a moment of pure indulgent delight.”
With those words, our global brand ambassador, Sarah Durand, invites you to embark on a journey of elevated Champagne enjoyment. Allow her expert guidance to unveil the secrets behind the perfect pour, the ideal serving temperature, and elegant glassware that best showcases the delicate aromas and flavors of our meticulously crafted Champagnes.
Together, let’s unlock the art of the Champagne experience, a testament to Lallier’s unwavering commitment to quality and passion for creating exceptional moments.
Champagne Storage and Temperature Control
“Proper storage is essential to preserve the exquisite quality of your Champagne Lallier,” advises Sarah Durand. To ensure its aromatic profile quality, she recommends storing your bottle flat or upright, depending on available space, in a cool, dark, and slightly humid environment, ideally between 55°F and 73°F (13°C–23°C). If such ideal conditions are not readily available, prioritize consistency.
Choose a location that remains cool and dark, avoiding any significant temperature fluctuations. Note that wine stored in clear glass bottles is significantly more vulnerable to the harmful effects of light compared to wine housed in green bottles. Increased sensitivity can lead to premature aging and the development of off-flavors, impacting the wine’s overall quality and your enjoyment of it.
“The key is to protect your Champagne from light, heat, and excessive dryness,” Sarah Durand emphasizes. “This will safeguard its delicate aromas, vibrant effervescence, and overall flavor profile.”
Opening Your Bottle
These simple steps will make opening any bottle of Champagne a flawless experience:
- Be sure your bottle is lightly chilled between 46°F and 54°F (8°C–12°C)
- For sommeliers, present the bottle to the client. You can use a service towel to wipe any condensation
- Cut the foil below the wire cage while holding the cork in place
- With your thumb on top of the wire cage, untwist it counterclockwise and remove
- Using your dominant hand, twist the bottle, not the cork. You’ll begin to feel the pressure from the carbon dioxide
- Slowly pull the cork from the bottle as you rotate. Keep a firm grip
- Restrict how fast the cork and bottle separate. Since Champagne is under pressure inside the bottle, an uncontrolled cork can pop, causing damage. Always have the cork facing away from you and other people
- Once opened, give the lip of the bottle a quick wipe to avoid any spillage or drops running down the label
The Ideal Stemware
“The ‘perfect’ glass to use when serving Lallier Champagne should sit between a flute and a wine glass: long stem, wide bowl, and narrow opening,” says Sarah Durand. The wide bowl with a narrow opening assists the Champagne in channeling its delicate aromas and flavors upwards. “This is essential for the wine to fully express its bouquet and for the bubbles to develop,” she explains.
Pouring and Serving
For sommeliers, position the label outwards toward your customer. Angle the bottle towards the glass, this allows you to observe the dramatic ascent of the bubbles to the surface. Pouring slowly into the glass, pouring too quickly means you will need to wait until the foam has subsided. A stable hand ensures a perfect pour. Twist the bottle as you finish pouring to prevent any drips. Give the lip of the Champagne bottle a quick wipe to avoid any spillage or drops running down the label.
Tasting
“The first taste of our cuvées is a very special multi-sensory experience,” says Sarah Durand, referencing the delicate intricacies and layered flavors.
Color
The color of Champagne is not merely a visual delight; it offers clues to the wine’s age, grape varieties, and even the production methods used to create it. “For older Champagnes, like our Millésimé 2014 or Ouvrage, since they age more than five years before release, the colors deepen into slightly golden hues,” says Sarah Durand. “Our Blanc de Blancs will display emerald reflections. Our Lallier Rosé is a delicate pink-hued wine that easily reflects it bright, youthful character.” Hold the glass to a white background source—a window for example—and notice the color, the clarity of the wine and the liveliness of the bubbles.
Bubbles
The delicate bubbles that dance in your Champagne glass are carbon dioxide and play a crucial role in how you experience the wine. Contrary to popular belief, smaller bubbles don’t necessarily signify higher quality. Instead, bubble size reflects a wine’s maturity. As Champagne ages, the amount of carbon dioxide gradually decreases, resulting in finer, more delicate bubbles. This not only creates a visually appealing effervescence but also contributes to a smoother, more luxurious mouthfeel.
In addition, the shape of the glass, as well as other factors such as how it was cleaned, have a direct impact on the size and dynamism of the bubbles. This is why we recommend using a stemmed glass with a wide bowl and narrow opening to fully appreciate the effervescence and nuances of our Champagne Lallier expressions.
Sniffing
Intricate aromas beckon with each glass of Champagne Lallier, waiting to be unveiled with your first gentle sniff. Hold the glass just below your nose and inhale slowly, deliberately. As you savor this moment, a symphony of scents—both powerful and subtle—will emerge.
Swirl
Swirling Champagne is known as aeration and it allows additional oxygen into the glass. Once air comes into contact with the wine it assists in releasing bouquet and aroma. However, with Champagne specifically, too much aeration is not necessary as the bubbles naturally bring the aromas to life. “A light swirl will contribute to the aromatic profile, revealing all of the complexity and depth of the wine,” says Sarah Durand.
Savor
Our Lallier wines are esteemed for their exceptional balance, achieved through meticulous blending and a dedication to showcasing the unique characteristics of each vintage and terroir. Additionally, our Champagnes are renowned for their aromatic persistence., silky texture, and delicate effervescence, not to mention their complex flavors, while some of our wines are noted for their salinity too.
Each of our Lallier wines expresses an intricate aromatic profile marking the evolution of these five elements, and offered to you as an experience we hope you find memorable.
Pairing
“When pairing Champagne Lallier’s cuvées, the most important thing is to find the balance between the wine and the dish, either in the continuity or in contrast. Both elements should elevate the other. Then, we recommend seasonal, locally sourced produce as much as possible.” says Sarah Durand. She suggests a few examples:
Réflexion R.019
Epitomizing the exceptional 2019 harvest, this non-vintage Champagne entices with expressive notes of lemon and tangerine, complemented by white fruits like green apple and vine peach, all carried on a fine effervescence. Réflexion R.019 further delights with a delicate sweetness balanced by intensity and fruitiness, interwoven with nuances of brioche and spice. “Enjoy for aperitifs or at the start of a meal, with raw vegetables, fresh goat cheese, shellfish, or raw fish ” suggests Sarah Durand.
Lallier Rosé
A harmonious blend of 65% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and Aÿ, including 7% of red wines from Bouzy, and 35% Chardonnay grapes from the esteemed Côte des Blancs terroirs results in a Champagne of exceptional color, fruitiness, and structure. Bursting with fresh cherry, red currant, and raspberry notes, complemented by delicate hints of apple and mandarin, this Champagne also offers floral undertones, a bright acidity, and a lingering freshness. As Sarah Durand suggests, “We recommend raw fish dishes, lobster, or king crab, as essential food companions.”
Ouvrage
This wine captivates with buttery and brioche aromas, reminiscent of lightly toasted bread. Notes of apricot and subtle stone fruits add a delicate fruitiness, while the long finish reveals a lingering hint of hazelnut. The blend of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay makes it a perfect pairing for a variety of dishes, as Sarah Durand suggests: “Caviar, lightly pan-seared scallops, white meats, langoustines, and lobster risotto are all exceptional complements to this wine’s complex flavors.”
Should you find yourself with leftover Champagne after opening, Sarah Durand suggests using an airtight cap to reseal the bottle. Remember, the shelf life of opened Champagne, even when properly stored, is limited. Enjoy the remaining wine within five days—depending on the remaining volume—to savor its full splendor.
Discover the Champagne Lallier collection here
