Celebrate Indulgence with Armand de Brignac Champagne

Courtesy of Armand de Brignac

When one thinks of champagne, oftentimes it’s in regards to a celebration. Popping open a bottle takes only a moment, but crafting a bottle of Armand de Brignac champagne takes time. From harvesting, to pressing, riddling, disgorging and labeling, each step in the production process is one towards excellence, ensuring the final product is of only the highest quality. Started in the cellars of France by the Cattier’s, an 11th generation family of champagne producers, Armand de Brignac champagne is created with over 250 years of experience.

Lead by father-and-son team Jean-Jacques and Alexandre Cattier, the pair carefully blends each Armand de Brignac cuvée from three distinct vintage wines, one of the company’s many signatures. Once the champagne is bottled, it is stored in a chalk cellar for four to five years and then placed in wooden racks where, for 30 days, the bottles are turned and sifted daily by hand. Although the length of each step in production can seem like a long, drawn out process, it is essential that this level of craftsmanship yields a product that is unique in both character and quality.

Setting themselves apart from the rest, Armand de Brignac champagne takes a different approach when it comes to their presentation. Each of their iconic bottles is dressed in a metal coating that corresponds to the color of champagne inside. They are then hand finished and polished with four French pewter labels. The bottles are then boxed in glossy, black embossed cases with the brand’s signature ace of spades emblem.

We recently had a chance to sip on not only the classic Champagne Armand de Brignac Brut Gold, but also the Brut Rosé. The Brut Gold is 40 percent Pinot Noir, 40 percent Chardonnay, and 20 percent Pinot Meunier, resulting in a smooth and creamy taste and texture. With aromas of peach, apricot, red berry, crystallized citrus and brioche, we tasted notes of lemon, vanilla, honey and a subtle toastiness. The Brut Rosé is more wine-like in quality, with the addition of 10-12 percent of red wine that’s added to the final blend. A combination of 50 percent Pinot Noir, 40 percent Pinot Meunier and 10 percent Chardonnay, we noticed aromas of strawberry, currants and cherry and a bolder taste of red grape and dark colored fruit.

Each champagne we tasted was able to highlight the Cattier family’s dedication to preserving tradition and the authenticity of the winemaking process. An indisputable front runner, Armand de Brignac champagne is truly an indulgence worth celebrating.