this is a group of 28 makers founded in 1971 who make Special Club bottlings on their property, which must be approved by a panel before sale. Both the still and bottled wines must be approved before sale. They have an outlet store that sells at amazing prices (about 1/2 US price) to the public and they have a great tasting room. They will set up various verticals or other scenarios—various ages or cepages or pricing, whatever one chooses. Very nice tasting room or room just to sit and enjoy champagne though room temp had to be 80 degrees.
We learned about the room from Lassalle, one of the Special Club members.
Alan,
Thanks for that information! We were in Champagne in October, and didn’t know about the outlet. That said, I tend to avoid most Special Club wines due to the bottle size, but 1/2 prices might have influenced my purchase decisions! The only SC’s I currently own are a bunch of vintages of Gimmonet, some Moussé, and a little Paul Bara Rosé.
What did you buy?
Cheers,
Warren
shockingly nothing. Couldn’t carry anything back. I also hate the bottle size. Only came back w a b of Angeline Reminiscince, a couple rare b of rum (great rum store in Paris 6th), and a b of Couly-Dutheil Clos de l’Echo 2018 I bought at their Loire tasting room from the matriarch.
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All I brought back from France was a bottle of '09 Egly Ouiriet and an interesting limited Chartreuse.
nice!
and they have a nice little publication with a lovely vignette on each house—pictures, philosophy, and more. In French and English.
They may be half price compared to US pricing, however most of the time you will even get lower prices at the domaines themselves. Plus domaine visits are more fun and interactive, as I found the Outlet staff not to be the most knowledgeable. Then again, I don’t think Berserkers are the ‘average’ consumer they cater in the Outlet.
Alan, I recall seeing the store the last time I was there. I think we went in, I cannot recall now (I’m getting old apparently). Like you, their bottle shape/size is a pain and so last year I drank through all my SC bottles and they are gone from the cellar. Like Warren does, I had a # of bottles of Mousse but I don’t miss having to store them.
Sounds like you had a good trip. Will you be sharing any other pieces of it with us?
You did see it!
posted in Epicurean including Crayeres in Reims.