BILLECART-SALMON, Brut Réserve. Champagne (Magnum)

Billecart-Salmon are based at Mareuil-sur-Ay, just north of Epernay

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

Francois Billecart still runs the family estate. The whole business is geared to quality not quantity. One of the keys to their success is that the non-vintage wine uses up to 25% of ‘reserve wine’ (mature wines used to balance out the latest harvest). And those reserve wines are all kept to mature in magnums

Perfect on release, but I do like the extra complexity gained if you keep it for up to a year

Compare our prices – I don’t think you will find this outstanding Champagne better priced in the U.K.

“No matter where you are or how you’re feeling, Billecart will cheer you up; it’s the definitive pick-me-up. It’s staggeringly good value too. If you’ve never tasted a bottle of Billecart, then you’re in for a treat.” (Daily Mail – Dec 2009)