wUst Fine Wine Imports
wines U should try!
Champagne Vincent Testulat
Champagne Vincent Testulat was founded in Epernay during 1862 when some premier vineyards became available both at the north end of the Cote des Blancs along with adjacent vineyards to the north in the Vallee de la Marne. Owing to the remarkable ability of well-made Champagne to age well, the house is still led by Vincent to this day!
In this case, however, the current Vincent is in the fifth generation of Testulats who have guided the house to always producing exceptional and expressive Champagnes. Under the current Vincent's leadership, the vineyards are also now in conversion to organic farming, which is definitely not a wide trend in Champagne as less than ten percent of the vineyards in the region are certified as organic.
Choosing a Champagne producer also took a lot of time, however, given the overall focus of the portfolio on very expressive, terroir-driven, and food friendly wines, which is actually a tall-order when requiring all three attributes. I've tasted a lot of "showy" Champagnes designed on first sip to seem elegant and refined but which, in reflection, effectively express no sense of place. I've tasted a lot of "terroir-driven" Champagnes which definitely express the soil minerality of the different parts of Champagne where the vineyards were located but which through the wine making somehow lost some fruit expression and were also limited in how food friendly they were as wines.
Upon tasting the Testulat Champagnes, however, I definitely found very expressive, terroir-driven, and food friendly wines. Although all three initial cuvees selected are delightful, the very food-friendly Blanc de Blancs and the elegant, long, and also very food-friendly Cuvee de Reserve are particularly notable. Residents around Epernay apparently agree too as after three days visiting possible Champagne suppliers in various parts of the region and then deciding to choose the Testulat Champagnes, I then went to dinner at a favorite (and very delicious!) restaurant in Epernay which is Le Petit Fourneau. When I then looked up at the wine chalkboard on the wall to see what delicious Champagnes they were serving by the glass that night, I saw three of Vincent's Champagnes listed.
The proprietor of the restaurant now knows me from my occasional visits and after greeting me I told her that I had chosen Vincent Testulat as my Champagne supplier. Her enthusiasm was then delightful as she said:
"oh Vincent, we love him and his Champagnes and have been serving his wines for 15 years. Everyone in the area loves his Champagnes and he is definitely a local favorite."
And so, what better recommendation than that! Since I also focus on very popular local wineries all around Europe too, I apparently just found another one!
Chouilly vineyards
Vineyards near Mareuil le Port
The Wines
Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
This cuvée is from vineyards in the northern part of the Côte des Blancs in Chouilly near Cramant and in Chavot. Aromas include green apple, pear, kiwi, white grapefruit, and citrus blossoms. Flavors include white grapefruit, green apple, pear, and kiwi. There is a medium to full body, perfect balance and acidity, and a refreshing full finish.
Food pairings would include sole, crab, halibut, sea bass, swordfish, clams, seafood pasta and salads, paella, veal, pork, chicken, grilled sausages, dishes with creamy sauces, Asian pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, creamy yellow curries, Thai and Vietnamese seafood, vegetable, and noodle dishes and appetizers, Mexican pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, Mexican food with creamy sauces, tacos, green salads, and medium to creamy cheeses.
“Carte d’Or” Blanc de Noirs Brut NV
The “Carte d’Or” cuvee is a Blanc de Noirs of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Pinot Meunier and includes fruit from Mareuil le Port in the Vallee de la Marne and from the Côte des Bars. Aromas include pear, green apple, white grapefruit, apricots, and hazelnuts. Flavors include white grapefruit, white peaches, pear, green apple, and honeydew melon. There is a medium body, perfect balance and acidity, and a very long, minerally, and refreshing finish.
Food pairings would include sole, shrimp, crab, scallops, halibut, seabass, swordfish, calamari, seafood pasta, salads, and soups, paella, veal, pork, chicken, grilled sausages, Asian pork and chicken dishes, Indian yellow curries, Mexican pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, tacos, tostadas, green salads, and medium to creamy cheeses.
“Cuvée de Réserve” Brut NV
This is a cuvée using 50% of older reserve wines that is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay and is from vineyards in Chouilly, Pierry, and Epernay. Aromas include golden apples, pear, white peach, kiwi, camellia, and narcissus. Flavors include pear, Macintosh apples, and honeydew melon. There is an elegant medium body, perfect balance and acidity, and a long medium finish.
Food pairings would include sole, halibut, turbot, sea bass, branzino, crab, calamari, seafood pasta and salads, veal, pork, chicken, dishes with creamy sauces, noodle dishes, risotto, Asian pork, chicken, seafood, noodle, and vegetable dishes, Asian appetizers and vegetable salads, creamy yellow curries, Thai and Vietnamese food, Middle Eastern food, Mexican pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, enchiladas, and mild, medium, and creamy cheeses.
