Champagne Pehu-Simonet 'Face Nord' Millésimé Grand Cru Champagne, France 2009

Style: Champagne Extra Brut

Vintage: 2009

ABV: 12.5% 

Region: Verzenay, Champagne

Country: France 

Varietals: 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay

Pairing Ideas: Anything that is salty or fried pairs magically with Champagne.  Champagne isn't just an aperitif -- try pairing it with the main course as well! A leisurely weekend morning brunch with smoked salmon, crème fraîche, and capers on toast.  The requisite side of our hero the potato chip is excellent for snacking & sipping.  A grilled rib eye is always wine for protein and Champagne lovers at dinner.  Never tried that pairing? Now is the time. 

 About: David Pehu, the fourth generation to lead this estate produces wines that are quite different from Lallement’s in every way except basic essential flavor. Verzenay is, after all, Verzenay. But David’s wines are rather more glossy and fleshy, and correspondingly less sleek and filigreed. He has 7.5 hectares of which 6 are Grand Cru. The balance is Chardonnay in premier cru Villers-Marmery, but Pehu wants to bottle only Grand Cru Champagne and so this Chardonnay is sold off. His vineyards are a remarkably ecumenical group: Verzy, Verzenay, Mailly, Sillery and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger!