Champagne Tsarine, a Maison Chanoine Frères brand from the Reims region, makes Brut, Rosé, Extra Brut and Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru.
The producer
Champagne Tsarine is a brand produced by Maison Chanoine Frères, a Champagne house based in the Reims region. Philippe Baijot launched it and later passed the reins to his son. The range runs from Brut, Rosé and Extra Brut to Tsarine Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier shape the wines, with the Rosé drawing mainly on Riceys vineyards. Isabelle Tellier has also held the head winemaker role at Tsarine.
Known for
Three grape Champagne and Grand Cru whites
Notable facts
Maison Chanoine Frères was founded in 1730.
Lanson BCC acquired Maison Chanoine Frères in 1991.
Philippe Baijot launched Tsarine in 1996.
The story
Isabelle Tellier Takes Charge
In 2001, Isabelle Tellier became head winemaker of Tsarine, notably one of the first women to hold that position in a Champagne house. The role was attached to Tsarine, the brand produced by Maison Chanoine Frères in the Reims region. Philippe Baijot had launched Tsarine in 1996, while Maison Chanoine Frères had been founded in 1730. Tellier's appointment placed a named woman at the head of the Tsarine cellar during the brand's early history.
From the atlas
Champagne Tsarine L.I.D
Champagne Tsarine is a Maison Chanoine Frères brand from the Reims region, built around classic Champagne grape varieties and a Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Champagne, Reims region
Producer
Maison Chanoine Frères
Main grapes
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier
Range
Brut, Rosé, Extra Brut, Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru
Defining feature
Brand launched by Philippe Baijot and continued by his son
The Producer
Philippe Baijot launched Champagne Tsarine in 1996 and later passed the reins to his son. The brand is produced by Maison Chanoine Frères, a Champagne house based in the Reims region.
Maison Chanoine Frères was founded in 1730 and acquired by the Lanson BCC group in 1991. Isabelle Tellier became Tsarine's head winemaker in 2001, notably one of the first women to hold that position in a Champagne house.
Place
Maison Chanoine Frères is based in the Reims region of Champagne. Champagne's traditional method gives the wines their sparkling form through a second fermentation in bottle, followed by time on lees. Lees ageing can soften the mousse and add bread and cream notes.
The labels mark different Champagne categories. Brut and Extra Brut refer to dosage levels, Rosé to colour, Blanc de Blancs to white grapes, and Grand Cru to the highest village classification.
Wines
Tsarine Brut is the three grape cuvée, combining 34% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir and 33% Meunier. Its dosage is 8 g/l, the sugar added after disgorgement to balance the finished sparkling wine.
Tsarine Rosé uses 34% Chardonnay, 33% Meunier and 33% Pinot Noir, mainly from the Riceys vineyards. It has a deeply intense ruby pink colour, with strawberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants in the fruit profile.
Tsarine Extra Brut provides the lower dosage style in the range. Tsarine Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru narrows the label to a white grape cuvée with Grand Cru classification. Its aromas include lime blossom, hawthorn, candied lemon and subtle roasting notes.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose Tsarine Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru. The 2018 vintage spent five years in the cellar, followed by a minimum 6 month rest after disgorgement. Disgorgement removes the lees from the bottle before final dosage, while the later rest allows the wine to settle before release.
This bottle combines a vintage, a white grape style and Grand Cru classification in one label, setting it apart from the Brut, Rosé and Extra Brut cuvées.
Final Word
Champagne Tsarine brings together a three grape Brut, a Riceys based Rosé, an Extra Brut and a Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru under Maison Chanoine Frères.