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Video Transcript: Vintage Champagne with Veuve Clicquote

Written By: ClassicWines.com Team on Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Brian Freedman: Welcome to the Classic Wines Minutes brought to you by ClassicWines.com; I am your host Brian Freedman. Today I am standing next to two of the most recognizable bottles of wine in the world.

Right here we have the Veuve Clicquot Brut Non Vintage, affectionately called the Yellow Label and right next to it here we have the Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1996, a legendary bottling of vintage champagne which is exactly what we're here to talk about today. We'll be joined by Moët Hennessy's Director of Wine and Spirits Education, Charles Curtis, and maybe we'll leave and taste a few. Why don't you join me?

So Charles what's the difference between vintage champagne and non vintage champagne?

Charles Curtis: Actually vintage champagne unlike most champagne is produced in one exceptional year. It's typically made from better grapes and it's usually age much longer than non vintage champagne.

Brian Freedman: Okay. Well, without any further to do, we actually have two glasses of Veuve Clicquot Vintage 99 in front of us. Take me through the nose, what are we looking for with vintage champagne. Really point out those differences.

Charles Curtis: With vintage champagne you get much more of a toasty, almost nutty aroma in the nose instead of your typical citrus fruits, apple fruits. So, it's got more complexity on the nose and on the palate it's got more weight, more power, better length, more complexity, a very well suited to pairing perhaps with the main course of your meal as oppose to the appetizer or the 01:57.

Brian Freedman: As soon as you smell this wine that dark warm brioche aroma jumps right out at you and it almost does scream for richer, hardier fruits whether it's holiday time or just for a great dinner that you're having on an ordinary evening.

Charles Curtis: Absolutely.

Brian Freedman: I think most people would be surprised to find out that vintage champagne really won't cost you any more money than a great bottle of ordinary wine.

Charles Curtis: It's actually very reasonably priced and it represents a big step up in quality only a step up in price. It's a fantastic wine that we'll continue to improve it with cellaring over the course of easily ten to twelve years. Some of them such as the Veuve Clicquot 88 Rare Vintage, 20 years, and the top of the line champagnes, for example the La Grande Dame would easily go 40 years.

Brian Freedman: Yeah, I think that's a real testament to the quality of these wines, and I think it's important that people realize that just because champagne is either Rosé or White, it doesn't mean you need to drink it five minutes after you bring it home. This will keep on giving you pleasure and developing and evolving for centuries, four decades maybe not centuries.

Charles Curtis: Perhaps not, but like any fine one they do improve with age and a finely aged champagne is really a gastronomic pleasure that everybody can try.

Brian Freedman: They really can. Well, Charles thanks so much for joining us.

Charles Curtis: Cheers.

Brian Freedman: Cheers. From all of us here at ClassicWines.com and the Classic Wines Minute, don't forget you can find all of these wines on ClassicWines.com. Get out there and try vintage champagne, it is a pleasure that we all deserve. I am Brian Freedman. Cheers.

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Wines Featured In Video Transcript: Vintage Champagne with Veuve Clicquote

Falesco 2005 Merlot (vitiano rosso)
Region: Europe > Italy > Umbria

  

Veuve Clicquot 1988 Champagne (rare)

  

Veuve Clicquot 1996 Chardonnay (la grande dame)
Region: Bouzy

  

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