At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Producer
- Champagne Forget-Brimont
- Region
- Champagne
- Style
- Premier Cru and vintage Champagne
- Named bottle
- Champagne Forget-Brimont Vintage Brut Premier Cru, 2014
- Defining practice
- Hand harvesting, whole bunch pressing, and cellar ageing
The Producer
The Forget family has tended vineyards since the early nineteenth century. Its vineyards are renowned for Pinot Noir, while the house produces Premier Cru and vintage Champagnes with extended cellar ageing.
Eugène Forget established the brand in 1920. Michel Forget founded the modern Maison in 1978, separating the commercial brand from the older family vineyard tradition.
Place
Ludes is a Premier Cru village in Montagne de Reims. Premier Cru is a village classification, so the term on the label identifies the standing of the village fruit within Champagne's hierarchy.
Wines
The Premier Cru Brut combines Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, with a composition of 40% Pinot Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir, and 20% Chardonnay. Non-vintage Premier Cru champagnes contain 40% to 50% reserve wines and remain in the cellars for a minimum of two years. Reserve wines are older wines kept for blending, adding roundness and complexity to the finished Champagne.
The non-vintage Brut Premier Cru is pale golden, with a delicate and very fresh nose. Fresh green apple, white flowers, and hazelnut appear first on the palate, which is fresh and supple. Its complexity comes from multiple vintages, multiple grape varieties, and extended ageing of reserve wine components.
Vintage Champagnes are aged for more than ten years in the cellars before release. Their style combines complexity, elegance, and abundance. The Brut Premier Cru also pairs well with entrees served with a white cream sauce.
Grapes are harvested by hand and pressed in whole bunches, keeping intact clusters together as they enter the press. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at 17°C, with malolactic fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.
Final Word
Champagne Forget-Brimont joins a long family vineyard tradition to Premier Cru Champagne, Pinot Noir, reserve wine blending, and extended cellar ageing.