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“My only regret is that I have not drunk more champagne in my life.”
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Dear Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club Member:
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l-r Frédéric Jorez, Moi, Michel Forget and Eric George
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The elixirs from Champagne Forget-Brimont have made it back to the LCBO just in time for the festive season. In addition to the ever-popular Brut 1er Cru and Rosé Brut 1er Cru, there are now the Extra Brut 1er Cru and 2006 Vintage 1er Cru Brut. Each one is crafted from only premier cru and grand cru grapes. And, at these prices you need never suffer Keynesian remorse.
Champagne Forget-Brimont
Michel Forget is the sixth generation Forget to follow the family’s wine-making tradition. Louis Forget created his vineyard at the beginning of the nineteenth century and Eugène established the family label in 1920 (with a production of only a hundred bottles).
The eighteen hectares of Forget-Brimont vineyards are located in the terroirs of the Montagne de Reims (Mailly-Champagne and Verzenay - Grand Crus Pinot Noir), Ludes and Rilly-la-Montagne (Premier Cru Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay). Michel Forget also buys Grand Cru Chardonnay for blending. Each year over 180,000 bottles leave the Forget cellars to help celebrate victories and assuage defeats for champagne fanciers around the world.
In 2000 Michel was joined by Frédéric Jorez who, as general manager, is in charge of all of Champagne Forget-Brimont’s operations. And, in the past year Eric George has taken over marketing responsibilities from Eva Schubert who has moved on to another Champagne house.
No question about it, the Forget-Brimont champagnes are all terrific. As well they should be. First, all the grapes come from premier and grand cru vineyards. They use only “cuvées”, the first and best juice that flows from the press. The taille, the coarser juice that comes later is sold to other producers. Michel Forget personally oversees absolutely every aspect of the creation of these meticulously crafted champagnes.
The Champagnes on Offer
To order the Champagne Forget-Brimont Brut 1er Cru, Rosé Brut 1er Cru, Extra Brut 1er Cru and 2006 Vintage 1er Cru currently available for immediate delivery at the LCBO, just click the very subtle ‘Order Now’ tags included at the end of the following product descriptions. Or, you can go to LCBO.com and insert the respective product number in the ‘Search’ box at the upper right.
If you would prefer, just send me an email telling me what you would like and I’ll be pleased to order it from the LCBO for you. Just let me know if you want it delivered to your door by Canada Post ($12) or sent at no cost to your preferred LCBO store (please tell me which one that is). Then send us a cheque or an electronic funds transfer (I’ll confirm the amount after ordering).
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Brut 1er Cru – 12.0% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product # 926617 $48.35/$290.10 for 6
This is great Champagne at a great price. The grape composition is 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay (all Premier and Grand Cru). A pale golden colour with a delicate nose of fresh green apples, white flowers and hazelnuts, it has a very fresh, deep structure and is well-balanced with good length. What a great way to start any party and also a wonderful accompaniment for white meats.
Here’s what Alison Napjus said about it in the December 31, 2012 edition of the ‘Wine Spectator’ – “Firm and focused by racy acidity, this is lightly chalky in texture, offering tightly knit flavors of ripe Gala apple, anise, black currant candy, fresh ginger and biscuit. Fine balance. $63 (wow, note the price – US$!!) – 91/100”. Robert Parker rated it a 90!
And, it costs much less than you would pay for regular mass-marketed Champagne. Here are some examples of the prices of ordinary Champagne currently available at the LCBO (not a 1er Cru in the bunch, let alone one with Grand Cru juice as well):
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Piper Heidsieck Brut
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$59.95
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Möet & Chandon Brut Imperial
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$67.65
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Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut
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$60.95
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Veuve Clicquot Brut
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$72.85
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Ain’t it wonderful when you don’t have to support all those expensive advertising campaigns?
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Rosé Brut 1er Cru - 12.0% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product # 926633 $53.50/$321.00 for 6
This is the Champagne for those most festive occasions. It is also an ideal apéritif. Its rose colour comes from adding a touch of red wine from Brouzy to the Forget-Brimont reserve cuvée. The grape composition is 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay (Premier and Grand Cru grapes only!). In the glass the beautiful light salmon colour provides an ideal backdrop for its steady stream of tiny bubbles.
Alison Napjus had this to say about it in the November 15, 2012 edition of the ‘Wine Spectator’ – “This offers lovely balance, a finely detailed texture and delicate acidity that focuses the subtle flavors of ripe plum, wild strawberries, and melon fruit. A hint of almond-tinged financier and mineral notes add complexity. $67 (note the price in US$!!) - 91/100”
At least $25 less than anything comparable at the LCBO.
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Extra Brut 1er Cru - 12.0% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product # 926625 $52.40/$314.40 for 6
This is really excellent apéritif Champagne in a delicate and refreshing style. Comprised of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay, (all 1er Cru and Grand Cru grapes) this crystal-clear Champagne possesses delightfully persistent tiny bubbles. Aromas of white flowers, citrus, pears and honeysuckle carry through in the mouth. It is beautifully fresh and lively with a long finish. This lovely fizz would be a special treat with lobster, oysters or caviar. Decanter magazine gave it a Five Star rating. |
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2006 Millésime 1er Cru Brut - 12.0% Alc./Vol. LCBO Product #458835 $69.20/$415.20 for 6
The 2006 Champagne Forget-Brimont Millésime 1er Cru Brut is a true delight. The grape composition (all from the very good 2006 harvest) is 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay (1er and Grand Cru grapes only!). In the glass, the beautiful luminous golden colour provides an ideal backdrop for its steady stream of tiny bubbles. It has a complex nose of stewed fruits, toasted bread, hazelnuts, almonds and vanilla. A wonderfully mature, round wine with a silky finish, it would be perfect with chicken, foie gras or sweetbreads with morels.
Note: The prices for the Brut 1er Cru and Rosé Brut 1er Cru are a bit higher than the last time we offered them due to the strengthening Euro to the Canadian dollar.
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LCBO.com
Here’s how LCBO.com works. We supply the LCBO with selected wines and you or anyone else in Ontario can order and pay for them on-line via the ‘LCBO.com’ site. The major benefit to you is that the wines will already be here at the LCBO warehouse and will be delivered in a short amount of time. By paying a $12 delivery fee, they will ship it (regardless of quantity as long as the order is for $50 or more) by way Canada Post to any address in Ontario and it will be delivered within four business days. Or, you can avoid the shipping fee by having the wine sent to any LCBO store you designate. You will be notified via electronic message once it is ready to be picked up. This process will take from one to two weeks (possibly up to four weeks in remote areas). Another benefit is that you no longer have to provide us with the LCBO Lab Waiver email.
Please get in touch with me if you have any questions, would like additional information or would like my help ordering your wine. The LCBO will assist with any post-ordering issues. Contact them at ‘helloLCBO’.
These superb, well-priced Champagnes are just perfect for weddings and other special occasions or for any time one feels like a treat. Know anybody planning a big event or who is a Champagne fancier? If you do, please pass this note on to them.
Many thanks and cheers!
Jim, Hélène and Kate
www.arthursellers.com
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.ofrance.ca
hbuisson@ofrance.ca
kwalker@arthursellers.com
