Canard-Duchêne Charles VII Grande Cuvée Le Victorieux NV Champagne

We say this with nothing short of affection, but the folk in Champagne don’t ‘alf over egg things sometimes. This Champagne’s name translates as “The Big Charles VII Blend, The Victorious” and comes from the modestly titled “Best Tasting Champagne”, Canard-Duchêne.

But they have every right to be proud – it’s ridiculously tasty. Made with 20% ‘reserve’ – i.e. vintage wine, it has impressive depth, with stone fruit, minerals and toastier notes. Oh, and the finest looking bottle we've seen in a long time.

Canard-Duchêne is unique in its origins, history and style. The Champagne house has been located in Ludes, in the Montagne de Reims National Park, since 1868. Its founders, the barrel maker Victor Canard and the wine grower Léonie Duchêne, both well-known characters in Champagne, were granted the right by the Russian Imperial Family to adopt its coat of arms as the family emblem. The crowned two-headed eagle has thus appeared on every Canard-Duchêne label since the end of the 19th century. These authentic, original Champagnes combine fruit, intensity and complexity.

A blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay and made with 20% of reserve wines, Charles VII Brut is blended from Canard-Duchêne’s vineyards in the Grands Crus areas of Avize, Avenay, Ludes and Trépail.

The Grande Cuvée Charles VII Le Victorieux is characterised by its stunning yellow colour and magnificent mousse, teaming with thousands of delicate bubbles. Chardonnay dominates on the nose, with its fruity, mineral character, while on the palate the Pinot Noir imparts structure and maturity.