Who says Champagne is only for special occasions? Anytime we open Billercart-Salmon Brut Réserve, it’s the other way around.
When it comes to Champagne, the names like Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Nicolas Feuillatte, Taittinger, Mumm, Dom Pérignon, Crystal, and few others come to mind first for the majority of everyday Champagne lovers. And rightfully so because these brands are almost in every store.
On the other hand, Billercart-Salmon’s name is music to sommeliers and wine writers ears. Until not too long ago, it was available almost exclusively through Michelin-starred and luxury hotel restaurants, high-end and specialized wine stores. Now that it is becoming more mainstream, it’s a lot easier to find, and they make Champagne for different budgets.
Billercart-Salmon Champagne House
Billecart Salmon is located in Mareuil-sur-Ay, Vallée de la Marne of Champagne region of France. It was founded in 1818 when wine merchant Nicolas François Billecart married Elizabeth Salmon, who owned a vineyard. Two hundred years later, Francois Roland-Billecart, current manager and the sixth generation of the family, runs the historic Champagne house. Interestingly, Francois still lives on-site, which is rare even in the region where tradition is vital.
Today Billecart-Salmon produces 2 million bottles per year and sells them close to 90 countries worldwide. The United States is the largest market.
Before being sold and shipped, Champagne is aged in the 2r-kilometer chalk cellars where over 5 million bottles are stored. These cellars watch over their wines since the 17th century.
They make several different cuvées, and non-vintage Billercart-Salmon Brut Réserve is a great start if you’d like to explore Maison Billecart-Salmon wines. Well, enough dancing around the bottle. Let’s taste the bubbles!
Billercart-Salmon Brut Réserve NV
Billercart-Salmon Brut Réserve is a cuveé (blend) consistent for the last fifty years. 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.
Pinot Noir comes from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne. Chardonnay is sourced from the best Crus in the Champagne region. Pinot Meunier is from the Vallée de la Marne and the southern slopes of Epernay. Basically, it means that grapes come from some of the top vineyards of the Champagne region.
As you might know, non-vintage Champagnes are the blends of wines from the most recent harvest and reserved wine from the best vintages of the past.
What earns this Brut a “Réserve” on the label is that 50% to 60% of cuveé are reserved wines. Brut was aged on lees (sediment) for 30 months. Ageing on lees adds complexity and is responsible for the famous Champagne’s doughy brioche and biscuit-like aromas.
Billercart-Salmon Brut Réserve in the Glass
Billercart-Salmon Brut Réserve has a golden straw color, tiny bubbles rising to the top and forming persistent mousse (foam) at the top. When you see that picture, even before you smell or taste sparkling wine, you know that you’re in for a treat.
Brut Réserve had sophisticated aromas of ripe pear, apple blossom, and a hint of freshly baked brioche bread.
On the palate, the mousse felt delicate and creamy at the same time.
The flavors were quite elaborate. The pear was just as pronounced with Myers lemon’s tempered acidity that created an elusive balance between sourness and sweetness that some Champagnes lack. Apple skin and puff pastry added an extra layer of complexity to the finish.
Finish
Sophisticated! Balanced! Finessed! That’s what came to mind when we tasted Billercart-Salmon Brut Réserve. Let’s unpack that and explain why.
It is sophisticated because of its multilayered aroma and flavor profile. Balanced thanks to its acidity tap dance. Finessed because we sense refinement and attention to every aspect of this Champagne from mousse through vibrant finish.
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