This month, just in time for summer, Champagne Armand de Brignac’s winemaking duo, Jean-Jacques and Alexandre Cattier, will launch their fifth prestige cuvée in the US: Demi Sec.
Drawing on more than 250 years of experience, the father and son winemaking team have crafted the only prestige Demi Sec in the world, the company says.
The Cattiers focused on keeping the Demi Sec’s dosage low (just 33g/L compared to more typical 50g/L), allowing for a broad variety of food pairings. Comprised of 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 40% Chardonnay grapes, Champagne Armand de Brignac’s Demi Sec is the ultimate cuvée for the gastronome, the company says, pairing exceptionally well with a flavor spectrum from exotic spices, to the sweetest, most decadent baked desserts.
It aged six years in the chalk cellars of Champagne, creating fine bubbles. Vintages from 2006, 2007 and 2008 went into this wine.
Like all of Champagne Armand de Brignac’s cuvées in the portfolio, the Demi Sec was created with great attention to detail, the company says, taking only the first and freshest portion of the cuvée press and blending a trio of vintages, allowing for deeper complexity, richness, and nuance of aromas than a comparable single vintage wine. From harvest to bottling, only 14 people touch each bottle of this limited-production cuvée.
The taste includes notes of English candy, grapefruit, compote fruits, caramel, quince and brioche, the company says. The palate is heavy with crystalized citrus fruits, honey and hints of blackberries.
The suggested retail price is $360 per 750-ml. bottle.