The renowned Champagne house Billecart Salmon is one of the few still family-owned. Founded in 1818 and located in Mareuil-sur-Ay, it features the high-quality champagnes of this magnificent champagne house on every Michelin-starred restaurant wine list. Most of Billecart-Salmon's fruit comes from a small vineyard, although this is supplemented with grapes purchased from the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims. Careful production techniques, from the use of their own yeast culture to the long, slow, cool fermentation, ensure the family has 100% control over production.
The grapes are carefully harvested and, after cold stabilization at 5°C, cool fermentation follows in stainless steel tanks. The temperature begins at 12°C and gradually rises to 18°C for malolactic fermentation. The cuvée consists of three characteristic grape varieties, with Pinot Meunier playing the leading role. This grape is often underestimated, but fortunately, Billecart knows better than anyone what this Champagne grape has to offer. It is a characterful blend with no less than 75 percent red grapes: Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, complemented by a refreshing Chardonnay. It is a Brut Nature, meaning no sugar is added during the usual dosage before bottling.
The Salmon Brut Nature has a pure golden yellow color with golden highlights. The aroma is complex, with sultry aromas of dried fruit and buttery brioche, along with floral notes and hints of lemon. The elegant and aromatic freshness is complemented by white fruit on the palate, resulting in a very harmonious finish. The long finish is a textbook example of perfect balance.
